Vögelein by Jane Irwin

The last weekend in June, Scott and I were part of Artists Alley at the Wizard World Chicago Comic Book Convention.

Besides going to the convention to promote the new Johnny Saturn: Synns of the Father graphic novel, one of the main purposes for me was to have the chance to talk with other independent comic book creators about what they are doing, purchase and read their work and provide an honest review of what I think of it.  One of the main stipulations of my picking those I thought would be interesting to review is that the artist didn’t sit at convention drawing popular characters from other companies (i.e. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, etc) and sell these drawings for a profit.  I will state right here and now, I believe this is theft of someone else’s intellectual property, and I would rather help promote those people and companies working to produce and promote totally original works.

Beginning today, and for the next several Fridays (I have quite a few books to review), I intend to put forth on this site these reviews in a blog called “Indy Friday.”  If you want me to review your book, you can contact me at benita_story@yahoo.com and put “Indy comic review” in the subject line.  I will email you back and we can start from there.

The very first series of books I want to review for you is Vögelein by Jane Irwin.  Jane and I first became acquainted with each other on www.sequentialtart.com, and I was delighted when she came up to our table during the Thursday preview night at the convention and introduced herself.  She recognized me by the spinning wheel – imagine that!  When I finally made it over to her booth the next day, the cover art to her graphic novels caught my attention.  I picked up the first one, Clockwork Faerie, glanced through it, and decided that this was one I wanted to read.  The art is absolutely beautiful and the graceful gray-scaling in it mimics color so well, that soon you aren’t aware it isn’t in color.

The main character of Vögelein may look like a real fairy, but she is really a very skillfully made clockwork fairy created by a master clockmaker in the 1600’s whom had so much love endowed into her creation, that she came to life.  Through the past 300 years, Vögelein has had many adventures and many guardians, each guardian entrusted with the task of winding Vögelein daily, for even though Vögelein is a very real being, she is still limited to the internal gears and springs that give her life and movement.

Set in the early 20^th century, we first meet Vögelein as her latest guardian has died.  She is needing to be wound up very badly, so she tempts fate by seeking out a new guardian.  Through flashbacks, she relates her story to those whom she encounters, and slowly, after centuries of being tied to one particular person, Vögelein finds newfound freedom and the corresponding rise in her self-esteem leads her to many new experiences and adventures.

There is a second book in the series, Old Ghosts, out now, of which a bit is shown below.

Let it be known that I highly recommend this series for those who love fairies, love gentle yet intriguing stories and love wonderful art and storytelling.  I can hardly wait for the next one so I can continue Vögelein’s adventures with her.  Two thumbs up and tons of kudos to Jane Irwin.  You can find her and her books at www.vogelein.com.