I used to run a comic book shop. Gundog comics if you must know, the Jackson, MS store back in the mid 90's. That where I was first exposed to Castle Waiting. It was fun and cute, but not as interesting as keeping a roof over my head.
Then, 15 years later I find out there's a collected edition, so I add it to my Wish List and eventually, get the book.
First, whoever gave this away, I can't believe you did. Its a beautiful book that plays with fairy tale tropes, specifically Sleeping Beauty, and then what happens after happily ever after? Specifically at the castle where Sleeping Beauty slept away the century? Thus, we come to Castle Waiting and its unusual inhabitants. A bird faced dandy, a horse faced (literally!) knight, Simple Simon, Dr. Fell, a smith who's heart is bound by iron, 3 ladies in waiting that have survived the original Sleeping Beauty and a very unorthodox nun. To this comes a very pregnant Lady Jain who has a reason to hide and brings the very unusual Pindar to the world as well.
The artwork is beautiful - clean lines with wonderfully drawn architecture and people. I'm particularly taken with some of the drawings of Jain's face when she smiles. Jain isn't what I'd think of as beautiful (and she is far from the comic book norm), but when she smiles, Linda Medley is able to convey the idea of someone's face lighting up so well.
The writing is fun too. Sir Chess (the horse faced knight) is a stitch and I'd love to see more of him. The same for the rest of the crew, plus Sister Peace's nunnery as well.
Highly recommended for fans of fairy tales, what happened after happily ever after and comic book fans.
Then, 15 years later I find out there's a collected edition, so I add it to my Wish List and eventually, get the book.
First, whoever gave this away, I can't believe you did. Its a beautiful book that plays with fairy tale tropes, specifically Sleeping Beauty, and then what happens after happily ever after? Specifically at the castle where Sleeping Beauty slept away the century? Thus, we come to Castle Waiting and its unusual inhabitants. A bird faced dandy, a horse faced (literally!) knight, Simple Simon, Dr. Fell, a smith who's heart is bound by iron, 3 ladies in waiting that have survived the original Sleeping Beauty and a very unorthodox nun. To this comes a very pregnant Lady Jain who has a reason to hide and brings the very unusual Pindar to the world as well.
The artwork is beautiful - clean lines with wonderfully drawn architecture and people. I'm particularly taken with some of the drawings of Jain's face when she smiles. Jain isn't what I'd think of as beautiful (and she is far from the comic book norm), but when she smiles, Linda Medley is able to convey the idea of someone's face lighting up so well.
The writing is fun too. Sir Chess (the horse faced knight) is a stitch and I'd love to see more of him. The same for the rest of the crew, plus Sister Peace's nunnery as well.
Highly recommended for fans of fairy tales, what happened after happily ever after and comic book fans.
