Since acquiring the rights to Roy of the Rovers (along with numerous other classic comics), Rebellion have really invested in the character, revamping him for a modern audience whilst retaining the excitement that made the original series so popular. The new graphic novels, published quarterly, are complimented with new illustrated prose novels (also quarterly) and whilst it's not absolutely necessary to read both it does help to fill in some backstory.
Roy of the Rovers 2: Foul Play picks up the story of young Roy Race a few months after Book 1. Roy is now a successful rising star at Melchester Rovers, but the club is still struggling. Football agents are interested in signing up Melchester's star player for their own teams. Will Roy succumb to the glamour of a richer lifestyle? As you might guess from the title of the book, it's not as straightforward as that, and fate can intervene.
Once again, Rob Williams' script is a pleasure to read, making the book a compelling page turner that I read in one sitting as soon as the post delivered it. A nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, reminding me of reading the original Roy of the Rovers in Tiger and Jag fifty years ago. Ben Willsher's artwork is sublime, carrying the action along at a cracking pace with a dynamic contemporary style that's just perfect for the story. Kudos also to letterer Jim Campbell and colourists John Charles and Guilherme Lindemberg Mendes. Last but not least, the book's designer, Sam Gretton and editor Keith Richardson They all make a great team!
These hardback Roy of the Rovers graphic novels are a superb format for today's market, and at only £9.99 very good value. I'm looking forward to Book 3: Going Up already!
Roy of the Rovers 2: Foul Play should be available to buy or order from your nearest bookshop or comic shop. ISBN 978-1-78108-669-8
You can also order it directly from Rebellion or online stockists:
https://royoftheroversofficial.com
2 comments:
Hi Lew.
Please forgive my impertinence but I found this blog whilst trying to search for a football comic strip from the 60s whose name I forget. I wondered if you knew of a "name that tune" type of site for comics?
Regards.
Stephen.
stephenwild107@yahoo.co.uk
About a Gypsy footballer who either reincarnates or lives to be hundreds of years old using various different names. He dies and is cremated in his wooden caravan.
Possibly Hotspur or Victor but could be wrong.
I vaguely remember that an "old timer" sees a new player on his team and is reminded of a playing style of a footballer from 50(?) years ago. He or a journalist discover he is the spitting image of several players going back several generations. Was it his Father/Grandfather/Great grandfather or was it the same man?
Out of the 1000s of comics that I read in the 60s this is the only strip that haunts me and no-one else seems to know anything about it.
The only Gypsy footballer that comes to mind is Raven of the Wing, which was in Valiant, but the reincarnation aspect wasn't part of the story so it wouldn't be him, unless your memory has merged two characters into one?
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