Malcolm Magic #1-5

And so here we are – as I write we’re a few days away from Christmas 2004, which means the year is nearly over and it’s time to take a reflective look back at the Year that was.

On a personal level I have to say that 2004 sucked the big sour lemon. Quite frankly I’m glad to see the back of it. Was the year in comics equally abysmal, or was the sequential world a happy retreat from the hardships of reality?

As ever, I guess the answer is “Yes” and “Yes”. There were some serious low points in the past year – if you were reading last week you’ll know that the “War Games” crossover in the Batbooks was chief amongst them – but there were some good points too, so in the spirit of good will, let’s start with some positive vibes.

Because if I had to pick out one comic that had improved my life this year I’d be pointing you at the glowing ball of pulsating energy that is Malcolm Magic. I really can’t praise this comic enough, but what the hell – it’s Christmas and I’m going to try. Malcolm is (as readers who’ve been paying attention will remember) a Rabbit with a fondness for the sauce and a talent for getting himself in trouble. He lives in a comfortable fluffy world full of cuddly animals and cute goings on, but just like that other cartoon rabbit from Japan there’s a sting in Malcolm’s fluffy tail.

Because there is a dark side to Malcolm’s world – indeed, given his penchant for hopping between realities there is a dark side to both of Malcolm’s worlds – and something of an edge to the rabbit himself. There is real violence in Malcolm Magic – cleverly kept just the right side of slapstick to make it funny, but just real enough to make you worry while you’re laughing.

Couple this with sharp dialogue, clean lines and strong characterisation and you have a book to make you sit up and love the world again. Blink Twice, the Bristol based team responsible for the madness and mayhem of Malcolm Magic have other projects in the pipeline, and if they’re produced with half the passion and panache that has been lavished on Malcolm I for one cannot wait!

Of course, if you’re not fortunate enough to have been part of the Malcolm Magic experience yet you might be feeling a little left out. But worry not, my Foolish Friends – there is a magnificent Malcolm Magic trade paperback available now, so might I suggest you point your browser at the rowdy rabbit’s website and order yourself a copy? Think of it as a New Year gift to yourself.

Because you deserve it.

Oh, and watch this space for a full length feature interview with the Blink Twice boys early in 2005. We’ve been talking about doing it for ages, and I’m bound to get around to it soon...

- Regie Rigby