Years earlier, Tarzan withdrew from the American market, where he had notable runs with Star Trek, Black Widow, and X-Men, yet success was not always achieved. Igor Kordey, born in Zagreb in 1957, faced early fan resistance. A closer look at his drawing reveals why. He leans into shading and a meticulous rendering of volume, lending his images a realism that moves away from idealized superhero perfection. This tendency helps explain the mixed reception his work sometimes provokes among certain audiences. Some see him as a rare successor to Richard Corben. Like Corben, Kordey exudes a strong sensuousness in the presence of figures and objects, captured through bold light and stark contrasts that render forms solid and dynamic. He also brings an intense, observant gaze to diverse races and environments. His talent shines in rendering both slender and heavier figures, people of various backgrounds, children, animals, and the textures of architecture that surround them.
Mobius unfolds as an interdimensional adventure that lets him blend architectural references into visions as dazzling as Kadath in the HP Lovecraft universe. It also features a double-page spread that stands out within the volume, scripted by Jean-Pierre Pecau, one of Kordey’s longtime European collaborators. If readers enjoyed the orientalist flair that swept awards, they may find this new work appealing. Pecau imagines a constellation of parallel universes that feel both familiar and distinct, where heroes embark on adventures. The narrative arc follows a hero who has lost memory and gradually reconstructs his identity, akin to awakening in a broader challenge. The script serves as a stage for Kordey’s commanding drawings, which impress with their construction, imagination, and the energy of the characters, while also imparting narrative lessons. Kadath scenes deserve mention, along with his demon-society designs and the reconstruction of ancient pyramids. The artwork alone makes the purchase worthwhile.
Similarly, the ongoing Marshal Bass series continues to grow, now at its ninth album. The tone remains steady as Darko Macan’s scripts follow morally ambiguous characters roaming the globe, with a tough, survival-minded hero facing off against villains who often outpace them in ruthlessness. The stories move from house to house, occasionally shedding light on relatives considered expendable. Moon’s character stands out, and the antagonist’s actions underscore the harsh world they inhabit. Scenes set in rain-heavy moments intensify the drama, with a striking full-page sequence where the hero declares a bleak truth. In these pages, Kordey leverages generous double-page spreads to stage brutal, memorable moments, all enhanced by strong color work. This pair of works demonstrates how the artist’s skill can elevate a strong script into a compelling, immersive experience that rewards attentive readers.
Two works, driven by scripts that may be easy to overlook, nevertheless showcase the art of one of the world’s most powerful cartoonists, inviting readers to dive in without hesitation.