Café collector

After consulting Wikipedia today, I think I can write that "Café Racer" denotes both a type of motorcycle that a type of motorcycle. The bike is usually a car in retro style (seen on the circuits of the 1950s), with a low handlebar (or "bracelet") and very little fairing. It was modified for speed (we want to add to the look) and maneuverability at the expense of comfort. In France, I seem to remember that Denis Sire designer has worked in this style for Metal Monthly Howling in the early 1980s.

It is a British fashion invented in the 1960s in the middle rockers not very "mod" and even less "hippie", which spread (Italy etc.) and which continues. Proof is this album "hard cover" that results from a project of the author of étatsunien comics for Sean Murphy and his Katana wife (!) Collins, funded via Kickstarter [dot] com.

The launch on this Internet site crowdfunding was done November 11th 2013, whereas Murphy had completed 'The Wake', that he supervised the edition DeLuxe in 'Punk Rock Jesus' and that 'Chrononauts' promised (more or less) on the horizon. A visit to kickstart shows that the budget was quickly met, hence the additions of different supplements (such as T-shirts, coverage of hard etc.).

It came to begin the "Murphy Apprenticeship", which saw Murphy and Mrs. accommodate five more or less beginners designers in their home in Portland (Maine, not Oregon!) For a fortnight practical courses in early year 2014. There was Tana Ford, Corin Howell, Jorge Coelho, Clay McCormack Joe Dellagatta and Stephen Green. Among the speakers at this mini "Sean Murphy School," there has been Klaus Janson, Fiona Staples, Becky Cloonan and Scott Snyder.

The touching aspect in this that writes Murphy, is that it recognizes neither be particularly patient nor particularly eager to teach. But he admits that "as much as the students got out of it, I got more from 'em. My wife and I can not-have children, so doing This was a opportunity to fill That need to give back and imprint it --other human Beings, Even If MOST of Them Were my age. "

From a pre-established scenario and exchanges on the designs, each "Apprentice" cut, drawn and inked (no color, that the B & W) five pages of the complete story, Sean Murphy bringing in early 'summer of 2014 concluded with 10 pages full of his hand.

The 40 pages of history add a presentation page of each "student", a long section on design, testing, the "making of" (with photographs), the finished pencils, the layouts comments by apprentices and Murphy. Also of note in the "extras" drawings provided by the buddies to promote the kickstarter campaign: Dustin Nguyen, Dave Johnson, Dan Panosian, Tommy Lee Edwards, Fiona Staples (! Magnificent drawing) and Andrew Robinson replied "present! ". How effing cool is that?

Printed in China in August 2014, signed on 2nd cover, with a hat in silver color simply by Sean Murphy, this book has arrived there is little in some comic French shops and therefore also online.

The story? In England, Orchid, a mysterious young Japanese half English half girl rides a "café racer" a unique model! The girl caught the eye of "Scooter Boy" and the motorcycle in that of an Italian-born mechanic. Who is Orchid? Who built this remarkable motorcycle?

Obviously cult and collector in more ways than one, this album (personally I found comic shop priced at 29 euros it a few months ago) is worth more in form than in substance, but the latter is not not neglecting. A fan of Sean Murphy (who likes to sow the "collector items") will have bought before you finish reading this review!