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Memories: Memories of Outer Space and Memories of Other Times
Presents two of the author's graphic novels, combining surreal and fantastic worlds with a touch of science fiction.
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 20, 2018
A small army of short stories showcase the wit, wisdom and art of one of Europe's top cartoonists.
The stories range in tenor, from cute, short gags to (slightly) longer sci-fi tales. The longer tales are often parables of humanity's failings, although some of them are simply excuses for Bilal to draw exotic and exciting aliens and alien locales. The parables are interesting, even if they won't change how you look at the world, and the gag stories are always good for a smile.
His art is quite strong, although I thought that the coloring muddied his efforts in several of the stories. Overall, it's not a home run by any stretch, but Memories is a solid double.
The stories range in tenor, from cute, short gags to (slightly) longer sci-fi tales. The longer tales are often parables of humanity's failings, although some of them are simply excuses for Bilal to draw exotic and exciting aliens and alien locales. The parables are interesting, even if they won't change how you look at the world, and the gag stories are always good for a smile.
His art is quite strong, although I thought that the coloring muddied his efforts in several of the stories. Overall, it's not a home run by any stretch, but Memories is a solid double.
December 3, 2022
Incredible, 5 star artwork meets kind of standard, 3 star Heavy Metal writing. I know Bilal found his groove with later works but the visual artistry is here. Looking forward to delving into Nikopol.
November 6, 2015
This is the second comics collection by Yugoslavian-born, French comics artist (and sometimes comics writer, and even film director), Enki Bilal I have read (although I have yet to actually review the brilliant collection
Townscapes
in here).
Combining two previous collections of early short pieces – Memories of Outer Space and Memories of Other Times – it showcases Bilal's work between 1972 and 1981 (sometimes in collaboration with various comics writers), with stories ranging from science fiction to pure fantasy and the outright weird.
The stories included are "Tragedy in the Colonies," "In the Name of the Wire-bound Father," "Final Negotiation," "Planet of No Return," "Orlaon's Defeat," "Stricken" (written by Pierre de la Varech), "Another Tragedy in the Colonies," "The Plitch," "The Cursed Bowl," "On Borrowed Wings," "Ophiuchus," "The Thing to Come," "The Mutant," "Night Sky," "The Big Space Opera" (written by Automarchi), "Ill-gotten Gains" (written by Linus), "A Planet for Every Magrobian" (in b/w; written by Jean-Pierre Dionnet), "The Omnibus to Vega" (also written by Dionnet), "Close the Shutters, Open Your Eyes" (in b/w), "Crux Universalis Eternity Road" (in b/w), "One-death Furlough" (in b/w; written by Dominique Grange), "City Ad" (in b/w), "Mondovision" (in b/w) and "The Chef's Surprise." These story range from one–two pages to between ten and twenty. Also included are two untitled pieces (a single-pager and a two-pager), as well as six thematically linked pin-ups in b/w, and two reprinted covers.
All in all an enjoyable read, even if I found the longer stories in Townscapes more impressive reads.
Combining two previous collections of early short pieces – Memories of Outer Space and Memories of Other Times – it showcases Bilal's work between 1972 and 1981 (sometimes in collaboration with various comics writers), with stories ranging from science fiction to pure fantasy and the outright weird.
The stories included are "Tragedy in the Colonies," "In the Name of the Wire-bound Father," "Final Negotiation," "Planet of No Return," "Orlaon's Defeat," "Stricken" (written by Pierre de la Varech), "Another Tragedy in the Colonies," "The Plitch," "The Cursed Bowl," "On Borrowed Wings," "Ophiuchus," "The Thing to Come," "The Mutant," "Night Sky," "The Big Space Opera" (written by Automarchi), "Ill-gotten Gains" (written by Linus), "A Planet for Every Magrobian" (in b/w; written by Jean-Pierre Dionnet), "The Omnibus to Vega" (also written by Dionnet), "Close the Shutters, Open Your Eyes" (in b/w), "Crux Universalis Eternity Road" (in b/w), "One-death Furlough" (in b/w; written by Dominique Grange), "City Ad" (in b/w), "Mondovision" (in b/w) and "The Chef's Surprise." These story range from one–two pages to between ten and twenty. Also included are two untitled pieces (a single-pager and a two-pager), as well as six thematically linked pin-ups in b/w, and two reprinted covers.
All in all an enjoyable read, even if I found the longer stories in Townscapes more impressive reads.
August 27, 2012
This book is a collection of two books, Memories of Outer Space and Memories of Other Times, which are both in turn collections of short comics illustrated by Enki Bilal. Bilal is a European comic creator who was born in Yugoslavia but brought up in Paris. His best known works are probably the Nikopol and the Beast trilogies.
For all but six of the stories, Bilal is also the writer as well as illustrator. The stories all date from 1972 - 1981 and vary in length from a single page to 10 pages but with most being done about 3-5 pages in length. Thematically the stories tend to fall into three categories - space opera, near future and horror - and can be serious or comic.
As with most collections there is a variability in quality in the story telling but, in the main, the art is exceptional and a good illustration of the European style. For myself, I tended to prefer the grander SF/space opera stories rather than the horror ones in this collection but found myself frustrated by the short length of the stories and longing for a meatier story to sink myself into. But nevertheless an interesting collection worthy of investigation if you have never come across Bilal's work before.
For all but six of the stories, Bilal is also the writer as well as illustrator. The stories all date from 1972 - 1981 and vary in length from a single page to 10 pages but with most being done about 3-5 pages in length. Thematically the stories tend to fall into three categories - space opera, near future and horror - and can be serious or comic.
As with most collections there is a variability in quality in the story telling but, in the main, the art is exceptional and a good illustration of the European style. For myself, I tended to prefer the grander SF/space opera stories rather than the horror ones in this collection but found myself frustrated by the short length of the stories and longing for a meatier story to sink myself into. But nevertheless an interesting collection worthy of investigation if you have never come across Bilal's work before.
February 5, 2013
A mixed bag of his earlier work, it's historically interesting as an insight into the evolution of one of the most significant european comic book artists, it goes from bad to really good. Some of the earlier horror stuff is virtually unrecognisable both in visual style, which seems crude and amateurish when compared to the detailed idiosyncratic style he came to be known for, as well as story wise, which are forgettable at best and lack the ironic bite of his later work.
April 12, 2012
Enki Bilal Lines and colors been one of the most beatiful Panels ever made.. I just love the way handling the simple issues in his very special deep way..
September 13, 2018
Сборник ранних коротких рассказов Энки Билала, автора "Никополя". Рассказы местами научно-фантастические, местами уходят в мистику, большинство раскрывает одну-единственную простую идею, часто шутку. Получается сборник эдаких комикс-анекдотов.
Очень понравилось несколько зарисовок, выполненных детализированной графикой. Жаль, что автор не пошёл дальше по этому пути.
Очень понравилось несколько зарисовок, выполненных детализированной графикой. Жаль, что автор не пошёл дальше по этому пути.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews