Basil the Great Mouse Detective

I was reminded at Swancon 2013 that I have yet to see this. Well have yet no more... or something.

Cute, funny and a welcome break from serious stuff. I am not going to critique because the point was to have a fun break.

No! None of the cast or crew of The Great Mouse Detective have collaborated with Roman Polanski or publicly expressed support for him.

2013 Hugo Reading - Best Graphic Story

• Grandville Bête Noire, written and illustrated by Bryan Talbot (Dark Horse Comics, Jonathan Cape) Score: 3/5

A 'scientific romance thriller' set in a world where the British call each other 'old chap' a lot and are anthropomorphic. Archibald LeBrock the badger Detective solves crime and falls upon a political conspiracy.

Has a coherent story which I appreciate and the illustrations are very 'period' and steampunky.
Loses points for predictability and the two sole female characters who play the uninspiring roles of jealous sleazy adulteress and jealous plucky prostitute.

• Locke & Key Volume 5: Clockworks, written by Joe Hill, illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW) Score: 2/5

Not a good series to come into Vol 5 at, I ended up on wikipedia looking for context. Two children watch their parents get executed by the Redcoats (revolutionary war) then pretend to deliver a goat so they can tell their brother about it in person. Alas, he has been brutally murdered when a mysterious gate opens and various minutemen are possessed. Lucky one of the children is a blacksmith and can make keys and locks.

Has a coherent story but the next story was a sudden jump to modern day which was v. confusing for me. The visual style is gritty and ugly and has an unsurprising amount of well illustrated perky breasts.

• Saga, Volume One, written by Brian K. Vaughn, illustrated by Fiona Staples (Image Comics) Score 5/5

Science fantasy at its finest. Alana and Marko, lovers from warring races flee with their infant daughter Hazel.

I was utterly sold in the first three pages. Has a compelling narrative, gorgeous illustrations and a deft sense of humour. Will chase down Volume 2.
ETA: Ordered Vol 1 and pre-ordered Vol 2.

• Schlock Mercenary: Random Access Memorabilia, written and illustrated by Howard Tayler, colors by Travis Walton (Hypernode Media) Score 2/5

This is Book 13 and I think you have to have preexisting love for the characters. As I don't, this was incoherent and not very enjoyable for me to read. The illustration style has minimal art content and the strip is heavily character driven.

• Saucer Country, Volume 1: Run, written by Paul Cornell, illustrated by Ryan Kelly, Jimmy Broxton and Goran Sudžuka (Vertigo) Score: 4/5

Grand-daughter of X-Files. Hispanic female governor runs for presidency so that she can investigate her alien abduction experience.

Tragically cancelled after 14 issues (Volume 1 is 1-6 & V2 is 7-14) but has a plot, strong illustration work, good characterisation, passes Bechdel test with ease. Loses points for narrative waffling but I will read 7-14 and probably enjoy them.
ETA: Ordered Vol 1 and pre-ordered Vol 2.