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Reviews

One of Lovereading4kids.co.uk Books of the Year 2009 - The Independent Recommended Children's Books for Christmas 2009
Fool Britannia Webcomic of the Year 2006 and Fool Britannia Small Press Comic of the Year 2003
UK National Comic Awards nominee finalist 2004 in two categories: Best Independent Comic and Best New Talent

Links to reviews

Comics Bulletin

The Independent

Shiny Shelf

Financial Times

LoveReading4Kids

Down the Tubes

The Phantom Zone

Soteria Magazine

Simon Cross

Shazam

The Book Zone

Birmingham Mail

Forbidden Planet

Dancing With Skeletons

La Terrasse

Mirabilis

Toon Hound

Monkey On My Back

Rob Jackson

Tim Pilcher

Now Read This!

Dave West

Rol Hirst

Alex Milway

Bear Alley

Quotes

"Tightly-plotted, well-researched and beautifully drawn, this book is a real delight. Garen Ewing's mix of engaging characters, exciting old-school adventure, attractive ligne claire artwork and fluid storytelling makes The Rainbow Orchid easily one of the best graphic novels of the year."
- Bryan Talbot (Grandville, Alice in Sunderland, The Tale of One Bad Rat etc.)

"I fell in love with The Rainbow Orchid from the very first page. Garen Ewing's wonderful artwork blends elegantly realised period detail with fresh and utterly charming cartooning, while his apparently effortless grasp of storytelling keeps the reader enthralled in this thrillingly grounded-yet-fantastic tale. This comic manages to simultaneously evoke nostalgia for long childhood afternoons spent poring over Tintin volumes, and huge excitement for the future of British comics."
- Neill Cameron (Mo-bot High, ThumpCulture)

"A cracking adventure tale set in the 1920's with exquisitely drawn period detail, a book bursting with surprises and brilliant characters... what more could any reader want?"
- Sarah McIntyre (Vern & Lettuce, Morris the Mankiest Monster)

"...I was immediately transported back to the rainy Saturday afternoons of my childhood, sitting by the radiator reading my favourite comics with a cup of cocoa. Garen Ewing has that kind of magic touch..."
- Richard Starkings (Elephantmen)

"...it's as much of a joy as I had hoped it would be, as exciting as the first time I read She..."
- Alexander Caine Duncan (Fynoderee)


Older reviews...

"This is a spectacular work... the art is wonderfully attractive but what impressed me the most was the slow-burning, exquisitely constructed plot."
- Comics International #166

"...major talent Garen Ewing captures the spirit of classic Tintin, but provides a deeper story with broader influences and a memorable cast. Supremely realised..."
- Comics International #171

"...meticulously scripted and drawn... simply stunning."
- Comic Expo 2005 Official Souvenir Magazine

"...the story is a thoroughly charming slice of nostalgia-tinged British adventurism. The dialogue sparkles, a mix of equal parts Boys Own romp, literary and mythological allusion and surprisingly well-researched botany. The characters are vibrant and thoroughly likeable... his art is a fluid blend of intricately observed detail and perfect, pared-down cartooning."
- Unified Review Theory

"The plot is like a Faberge Egg, beautiful to behold even at the most superficial glance, but so exquisitely intricate that the closer you look the more you see."
- Silver Bullet Comics

"The characters are real, the setting is authentic, and this opening chapter hints at many plot strands. It's got depth, charm and real polish."
- The Review Sheet

"The interplay of the two stories immediately makes this comic far superior to most. It is not just ambitious but it works, and with élan. The different levels of the story and their attendant styles lend a tremendous feeling of depth to the whole book... It has a beautiful clean line style ... possibly the most exciting comic of the year."
- Zum Reviews

Review extracts Aug 2009

"The between-the-wars setting is meticulously rendered, the storyline intricate and engrossing... Ewing has crafted something at once reverential and joyous that has a life of its own."
- James Lovegrove (Financial Times) full review...

"Enchantingly engaging, astonishingly authentic and masterfully illustrated in the legendary ligne claire style, this is a wonderful tale that ranks amongst the very best all-ages graphic narratives..."
- Win Wiacek (Now Read This!) full review...

"...beneath the obvious beauty of the artwork is an equally great, old fashioned adventure tale. It works for children and it works for us adults. An absolutely cracking adventure story."
- Richard Bruton (Forbidden Planet) full review...

"It's rare to talk about "voice" in comics, but I love the sparkling sense of warmth, depth, intrigue and fun in this book. You reach the final page and you think, "Wha-hey! We're on an adventure!"
- Dave Morris (Mirabilis) full review...

"Without doubt, the most beautifully rendered graphic novel you'll see all year."
- Rol Hirst (Sunset Over Slawit) full review...

"The artwork throughout is clear and vibrant; simple in style, yet detailed in scope. The story carries universal appeal... marvellously entertaining stuff, and a bally good read at that!"
- David Hailwood (Down The Tubes) full review...

"... a good solid adventure story ... a cracking adventure yarn populated by compelling characters."
- Kelvin Green (Comics Bulletin) full review...

"Ewing has successfully mastered everything that makes a great adventure comic strip - engaging characters, a rattling quest with intrigue; meticulous research; and deceptively simple and communicative art style..."
- Tim Pilcher (Ilex Press)

"The Rainbow Orchid is what the Daily Star or some such tabloid might refer to as 'A Rollicking Rip Roaring Roller-coaster Ride of Excitement, Adventure, Mayhem and Mirth!' ...marvellously entertaining stuff , and a bally good read at that!"
- David Hailwood (Down the Tubes) full review...

Julius Chancer, The Rainbow Orchid, story, artwork, characters and website © 1997 and 2010 Garen Ewing & inkytales