By Goscinny & Tabary
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-84918-044-3
Another collection of four punchy, clever strips featuring the wicked Iznogoud, who wants to be Caliph instead of the Caliph. The main tale of this book concerns Iznogoud discovering that a magic carpet maker called Khaledonyahn (supposedly from the far north of India) has arrived in the city, but what is of particular appeal is a carpet that, when you utter the magic word, flies non-stop to a distant land and never comes back – an opportunity for Iznogoud to get rid of the Caliph. As you'd expect, it all goes terribly wrong, and not just the once.
The joy of the Iznogoud books are the richly peppered puns and plays on words interwoven with Tabary's magnificent cartoons, but occasionally it's not always easy to appreciate the skill that's gone into putting the strips together. Also included in this volume is a very early Iznogoud story with a considerably taller Iznogoud and burlier Wa'at Alahf, but more noticeable is that the writing isn't as slick. That's not to say it doesn't work and won't make you smile, but it's clumsier, with too much padding and explanations that the later stories have learned to do away with.
These are witty and beautifully crafted tales from two people who seem to create them effortlessly, and a well worthy of attention to anyone who's interested in cartoons.
And if you liked that: Then pick up an early Asterix
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