‘Valerian and Laureline’ flashback: ‘Shingouzlooz Inc.’ (2017) (Comic book review)

One of the most remarkable things about writer Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mezieres’ work on “Valerian and Laureline” from 1967-2103 is how little they farmed out the characters. It wasn’t because they weren’t interested in doing that – indeed, they had wanted Luc Besson to make a “Valerian” movie for decades before it happened

‘Valerian and Laureline’ flashback: ‘The Complete Collection, Volume 5’ (Comic book review)

Looking for a “Valerian” fix after last year’s movie, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” I’m delving into the comics that started it all, by Frenchmen Pierre Christin (writer) and Jean-Claude Mezieres (pencils and inks). “The Complete Collection, Volume 5” includes “On the Frontiers” (1988), “The Living Weapons” (1990) and “The Circles of

‘Valerian and Laureline’ flashback: ‘The Complete Collection, Volume 3’ (Comic book review)

Looking for a “Valerian” fix after last year’s movie, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” I’m delving into the comics that started it all, by Frenchmen Pierre Christin (writer) and Jean-Claude Mezieres (pencils and inks). “The Complete Collection, Volume 3” includes “Ambassador of the Shadows” (1975), “On the False Earths” (1977) and “Heroes

‘Valerian and Laureline’ flashback: ‘The Complete Collection, Volume 2’ (Comic book review)

Looking for a “Valerian” fix after last year’s movie, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” I’m delving into the comics that started it all, by Frenchmen Pierre Christin (writer) and Jean-Claude Mezieres (pencils and inks). “The Complete Collection, Volume 2” includes “The Land Without Stars” (1972), “Welcome to Alflolol” (1972) and “Birds of

‘Valerian and Laureline’ flashback: ‘The Complete Collection, Volume 1’ (Comic book review)

Looking for a “Valerian” fix after last year’s movie, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” I’m delving into the comics that started it all, by Frenchmen Pierre Christin (writer) and Jean-Claude Mezieres (pencils and inks). “The Complete Collection, Volume 1” includes “Bad Dreams” (1967), “The City of Shifting Waters”/“Earth in Flames” (1970) and

John’s top 10 movies of 2017

For me, 2017 goes in the books as the year when we don’t have to comment on special effects anymore. In major motion pictures, they are almost universally good now, and if they aren’t, it’s because the studio purposely cut corners. As such, several blockbuster science fiction movies find spots on my list, starting with

‘Valerian’ serves up grand adventure while showing how its source material influenced ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Avatar’ (Movie review)

I consider myself to be an amateur “Star Wars” historian, but until recently, I didn’t know about the influence of the “Valerian and Laureline” comics on George Lucas’ saga. Pulling the 1997 “Magic of Myth” book off my shelf, I don’t find “Valerian” or its creators — writer Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mézières – in