The Rainbow Orchid is an ambitious blend of classic storytelling and cinematic artwork in which adventure, historical drama and legend are seamlessly intertwined. In Volume One, follow the story's hero, Julius Chancer, as he embarks on a hazardous quest for the rainbow orchid - a mythical flower last mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher, Theophrastus, and steeped in legend. His epic journey takes him from 1920s Britain to the Indian subcontinent and its mysterious lost valleys.
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"While this is a perfect combination of send-up and memorial to Herge, it's also a strong work even for those [who] have managed (how?) to have never met Tintin." -- "Booklist"
About the Author
Garen Ewing is a graphic designer and illustrator, as well as the author of a number of popular online comics, including "Charlie Jefferson and the Tomb of Nazaleod."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By RDWHITE
Format:Paperback
Beautifully drawn, elegant, and with a good cracking adventure, a really good read. If you like Tintin, or Blake and Mortimer, this is drawn in the same style, known as ligne claire, or 'clear line', and the adventure story is similar as well, though also reminds me of the Indiana Jones films or the Professor Challenger adventures of Conan Doyle.
Ewing is clearly an up-and-coming star in the British comic establishment. And so he should - this is an imaginative and nostalgic comic of a sort not published since the 1960s!
Ewing is clearly an up-and-coming star in the British comic establishment. And so he should - this is an imaginative and nostalgic comic of a sort not published since the 1960s!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
There was much pre-publication hype for this on the comic blogs so I was an eager early reader. Maybe the hype is a bad thing for it raises expectations high.
The artwork is good, very well crafted, but never stunning, often a little clumsy and always suffering from hard to suppress comparisons with Tintin. This very unfair since the Tintin we know was heavily reworked for colour while this is one man's hard work and a labour of love.
Had I discovered this on a bookseller's shelf I'd probably be raving about it, proclaiming a talent to watch. And on balance, that is my view. It's a good start and I am genuinely looking forward to the next instalment. The plot and characters are promising and, like the artwork, they will probably benefit for a bit more development.
I heartily recommend this book, just avoid the hype.
The artwork is good, very well crafted, but never stunning, often a little clumsy and always suffering from hard to suppress comparisons with Tintin. This very unfair since the Tintin we know was heavily reworked for colour while this is one man's hard work and a labour of love.
Had I discovered this on a bookseller's shelf I'd probably be raving about it, proclaiming a talent to watch. And on balance, that is my view. It's a good start and I am genuinely looking forward to the next instalment. The plot and characters are promising and, like the artwork, they will probably benefit for a bit more development.
I heartily recommend this book, just avoid the hype.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Tim Pilcher
Format:Paperback
Consciously taking his inspiration from Hergé, E.P. Jacobs and others in the ligne claire school, Garen Ewing has just released The Rainbow Orchid Volume One. Originally a black and white self-published strip that first appeared in 1997, which then evolved into a webcomic, and is now finally published--as it should have always been--in a full-colour album. The years Ewing has spent honing his craft and storytelling have paid off in spades. Set in the 1920s, the story chronicles the adventures of WWI veteran Julius Chancer, an assistant to Sir Alfred Catesby-Grey an "antique collector", in the same way that Dr. Indiana Jones is an archaeology professor. The two get mixed up with a British actress, Lily Lawrence--recently returned from Hollywood--her publicist, Nathaniel Crumpole; and her father, Lord Reginald Lawrence; who is faced with losing his estate to the mysterious--and wonderfully named--Urkaz Grope.
The principle macguffin--the search for a mythical bloom--the Rainbow Orchid--so that they can win a flower show and save Lord Lawrence's estate--is an obvious red herring, and great fun is derived from trying to second-guess the villains' true nefarious intentions. The story has it all, from lumbering henchmen; a sexy--but devious--"flapper"; and sumptuous country houses, to classic cars and a well thought-out mystery.
While each page initially appears dense and packed to the gills with panels and prose, it's to Ewing's credit that he keeps the pacing and storytelling tight, and the tale tears along at a pace. If there was any "criticism" it was that I read it too fast and can't wait for the next two volumes!
The principle macguffin--the search for a mythical bloom--the Rainbow Orchid--so that they can win a flower show and save Lord Lawrence's estate--is an obvious red herring, and great fun is derived from trying to second-guess the villains' true nefarious intentions. The story has it all, from lumbering henchmen; a sexy--but devious--"flapper"; and sumptuous country houses, to classic cars and a well thought-out mystery.
While each page initially appears dense and packed to the gills with panels and prose, it's to Ewing's credit that he keeps the pacing and storytelling tight, and the tale tears along at a pace. If there was any "criticism" it was that I read it too fast and can't wait for the next two volumes!
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun comics are back again!
Garen Ewing has done our world a service. His storytelling is so simple yet draws you in. Forget the Tintin analogy as I couldn't read Tintin myself. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Normanghast
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have for all Tintin fans
Been following this for a while now and finally decided to get both Vol 1 and Vol 2 and must say I was hooked from page 1. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Rajpal
5.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasure to read
I agree with all the previous 5 star reviews, just wanted to add a short comment. I live in Belgium with a Belgian/French man who adores this type of work, he introduced me to... Read more
Published on 22 April 2010 by Caroline Henderson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Leaves me cool-ish
Seduced by the comparisons to tintin and Blake & Mortimer, I bought this on Amazon - but can't say I share the enthousiasm of the other reviewers. Read more
Published on 16 Jan 2010 by H. Beentje
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glorious drawings, wonderful storyteller
I just love this book and it is so good to find someone producing a carefully and well drawn book that knocks spots off the computer-generated pulp that is out there. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2009 by Caspar
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great discovery.
Having previously purchased Tintin books, Amazon sent me an email about this book by Garen Ewing. I initially thought is was another book written years ago. Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2009 by Jane
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastic talent!
I bought this today on the cover alone.
I wasn't dissapointed. Reminded me of my childhood visits to the mobile library to read and re-read TinTin! Read more
I wasn't dissapointed. Reminded me of my childhood visits to the mobile library to read and re-read TinTin! Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2009 by J Mckinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marvellous stuff
I got this today, and have rattled through it. It's essential reading for Tintin or Indiana Jones fans. Get back to work Mr. Ewing, I want the next volume!
Published on 29 July 2009 by J. Pullman
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