What The Critics Are Saying

Tandra - The Best Comic Book You've Never Read

Naturally, I expect the above statement is something of an exaggeration. Obviously some of you have read Tandra, or the creator would never have been able to keep producing it as long as he has (over 20 years! How's that for a quiet self-publishing success?), but from the blank stares I get whenever I mention it to other readers and retailers, it is certainly not well known.

Which is, sadly, your loss.

Tandra is actually one long narrative, a true graphic novel, which was begun in 1973 by the creator Hanther. It began as the story of David Galon, an Earthman who is, apparently magically, transported to the world of Tandra in pursuit of a princess. What starts as out as an apparent fantasy, over the course of succeeding books, turns into an exploration of philosophy, morality, economics and politics, while never losing sight of the adventure comics medium in which it finds its roots. It is at times equally serious (and I don't mean the type of melodramatic posing that passes for seriousness in mainstream comics) and comical....witness the names of supporting characters Yousles, who is anything but, and Helifayeno (his introduction is a fun scene in itself). The story is engaging, not just on a visual level, but on an intellectual one as well. Scenes can go from swashbuckling swordfights to arguments over economic policy, while remaining consistently coherent and focussed. The object of the narrative eventually becomes David Galon's son, Dragonrok, and even that transition (as far as I have read to date) is smooth and story driven.

Visually, Tandra is a treat. Hanther's enjoyment of drawing the human form is evident in every figure he draws. The philosophy he expresses in the story is displayed in every line he commits to paper. His art is not pictures randomly thrown together, but every line has a purpose, and contributes towards the final goal. His work is crisp and clean; it aids the story as good art should, and while you can slow down your reading to appreciate the visual feast, you are never forced to do so by a deliberate obscurity of images. Although Hanther expresses his own flavor in his work, the inspiration he received from such notables as Al Williamson and Alex Raymond are evident and provide a slightly nostalgic tone to the art. Unlike many of his predecessors in this vein, Hanther does not shy away from constructing complete backgrounds. His architecture is a large part of the attractiveness of the art, and the vistas he creates demonstrate Tandra as more than just a setting; it is a world. (For the prurient, be warned: he also likes to draw naked ladies.....and he does them very well too.)

One of the most obvious influences on Hanther is the philosophy of Ayn Rand (who makes a sort of "guest appearance" in the story), and his story expresses some of these ideas in action, although his own ideas eventually go beyond Objectivist doctrine. This means that the story is ultimately positive in intent, and driven by a strong sense of ethics and morality. It also means that at no point is he trying to offer a ripoff story with pretty pictures to the reader. This is no imitation of anything done better; this is the real thing. Ayn wrote in "The Romantic Manifesto" that : "Art is a selective re-creation of reality according to an artist's metaphysical value-judgements", meaning, in brief, that what the artist expresses in his art is the world that he thinks does or ought to exist. In my opinion, Hanther's "Tandra" is a thoroughly well-constructed world, and I think it would be my highest compliment to him that it is a world in which I would want to live.

Hanther is still producing "Tandra", and you can see and order his work online at http://www.tandra.com. Go there. Now.

(Note from Hanther; Thanks to an e-mail from the author, I can now credit the above review to Dominic, homepage http://SimonPariah.keenspace.com)

A review by Joe Zabel follows,

Reviews of the best comics past, present and future. . .

TODAY'S REVIEW

Tandra

Storyteller: Hanther
Hanthercraft Publications
P.O. Box 719
Corinth, MS 38834-0719

Back in the early 1970's, a little-known artists and self-publisher names Hanther began a fantasy series that was destined to reinvent the beauty and excitement of Flash Gordon and John Carter of Mars. Exquisitely composed and masterfully inked, it was and continues to be a classic series.

But most of us never saw the early, now out-of-print issues. And up to now, nobody has seen them in color except in their dreams.

That's what makes the Tandra website so exciting. Hanther has not merely colored the pages. he has immersed himself in the process of reinventing the pages through a broad palette of colors that exceeds immensely the classic and strangeness of his original vision.

Two of the early issues have been recreated on the web so far, 'Tandra' and 'The Golden Warrior of Tandra'; they are the continuing adventures of John Galon on an alien planet of strange beasts, exotic technology and beautiful women, where the sky is filled with floating islands, and flying ships that travel to them. Hanther's art has brought this world vividly to life, and with the newly-applied color, the world is now vibrant and alive.

Worth buying a computer for.

OFFICIAL TANDRA WEB SITE: http://www.tandra.com

DRAGONROK

This latest in the Tandra series, like its ‘brothers’ is a fine, fine production. The printing, production and assembly is perfect.

Hanther (writer-artist) is about the best ‘non-commercial’ (widely unfamous)strip artist I’ve seen. His work is powerfully graphic, subtly simple and deviously depicted.

Hanther’s art style is very clean. He has a good knowledge of anatomy and his characters are adequately fluid. The continuity is not as dynamic as with the best comic artists (e. g. Raymond, Eisner, Kirby, etc.) and occasionally more variety in terms of panel breakdowns and camera angles would be welcomed.

Basically, Hanther’s work shows the influence of Steranko, Wrightson, Al Williamson and certainly Hal Foster. I suspect I’m missing some obvious analogies, but it matters little since Hanther’s work certainly stands on its own.

Despite the occasional sexist fling (the author-artist definitely likes bare breasted women, almost everywhere), the female and male characterizations are absolutely wonderful. Unique. Unstereotyped. And their physical characteristics are handled so well that seen from any angle, displaying any emotion, they look like who they’re supposed to look like; and they look like real people. (Though we sure wouldn’t want to meet some of them!)

Dragonrok certainly isn’t your average comic strip. Though presented as a series of illustrations, with the text of the story being narration for much of the issue, the story is packed with emotion; real emotions of many moods, from love to maliciousness, sensuality to ruthlessness.

A rather awkward flaw exists on the cover spread, for unless you immediately open it up to view its entirety, you may think the issue is called “Onrok”...

Other than that, there is little wrong with this publication. There is lots right with it!

Rating: 8 out of 10

(Note from Hanther, This review is from a publication titled Lulu Revu and refers to the ink on paper release of the Tandra release Dragonrok, Tandra plates 228 thru 278.)


THE TANDRA ACTIVE IMAGE CD-ROM Read the reviews of the Tandra Saga below Tandra - The Best Comic Book You've Never Read Naturally, I expect the above statement is something of an exaggeration. Obviously some of you have read Tandra, or the creator would never have been able to keep producing it as long as he has (over 20 years! How's that for a quiet self-publishing success?), but from the blank stares I get whenever I mention it to other readers and retailers, it is certainly not well known. Which is, sadly, your loss. Tandra is actually one long narrative, a true graphic novel, which was begun in 1973 by the creator Hanther. It began as the story of David Galon, an Earthman who is, apparently magically, transported to the world of Tandra in pursuit of a princess. What starts as out as an apparent fantasy, over the course of succeeding books, turns into an exploration of philosophy, morality, economics and politics, while never losing sight of the adventure comics medium in which it finds its roots. It is at times equally serious (and I don't mean the type of melodramatic posing that passes for seriousness in mainstream comics) and comical....witness the names of supporting characters Yousles, who is anything but, and Helifayeno (his introduction is a fun scene in itself). The story is engaging, not just on a visual level, but on an intellectual one as well. Scenes can go from swashbuckling swordfights to arguments over economic policy, while remaining consistently coherent and focussed. The object of the narrative eventually becomes David Galon's son, Dragonrok, and even that transition (as far as I have read to date) is smooth and story driven. Visually, Tandra is a treat. Hanther's enjoyment of drawing the human form is evident in every figure he draws. The philosophy he expresses in the story is displayed in every line he commits to paper. His art is not pictures randomly thrown together, but every line has a purpose, and contributes towards the final goal. His work is crisp and clean; it aids the story as good art should, and while you can slow down your reading to appreciate the visual feast, you are never forced to do so by a deliberate obscurity of images. Although Hanther expresses his own flavor in his work, the inspiration he received from such notables as Al Williamson and Alex Raymond are evident and provide a slightly nostalgic tone to the art. Unlike many of his predecessors in this vein, Hanther does not shy away from constructing complete backgrounds. His architecture is a large part of the attractiveness of the art, and the vistas he creates demonstrate Tandra as more than just a setting; it is a world. (For the prurient, be warned: he also likes to draw naked ladies.....and he does them very well too.) One of the most obvious influences on Hanther is the philosophy of Ayn Rand (who makes a sort of "guest appearance" in the story), and his story expresses some of these ideas in action, although his own ideas eventually go beyond Objectivist doctrine. This means that the story is ultimately positive in intent, and driven by a strong sense of ethics and morality. It also means that at no point is he trying to offer a ripoff story with pretty pictures to the reader. This is no imitation of anything done better; this is the real thing. Ayn wrote in "The Romantic Manifesto" that : "Art is a selective re-creation of reality according to an artist's metaphysical value-judgements", meaning, in brief, that what the artist expresses in his art is the world that he thinks does or ought to exist. In my opinion, Hanther's "Tandra" is a thoroughly well-constructed world, and I think it would be my highest compliment to him that it is a world in which I would want to live. Hanther is still producing "Tandra", and you can see and order his work online at http://www.tandra.com. Go there. Now. (Note from Hanther; Thanks to an e-mail from the author, I can now credit the above review to Dominic, homepage http://SimonPariah.keenspace.com) A review by Joe Zabel follows, Reviews of the best comics past, present and future. . . TODAY'S REVIEW Tandra Storyteller: Hanther Hanthercraft Publications P.O. Box 719 Corinth, MS 38834-0719 Back in the early 1970's, a little-known artists and self-publisher names Hanther began a fantasy series that was destined to reinvent the beauty and excitement of Flash Gordon and John Carter of Mars. Exquisitely composed and masterfully inked, it was and continues to be a classic series. But most of us never saw the early, now out-of-print issues. And up to now, nobody has seen them in color except in their dreams. That's what makes the Tandra website so exciting. Hanther has not merely colored the pages. he has immersed himself in the process of reinventing the pages through a broad palette of colors that exceeds immensely the classic and strangeness of his original vision. Two of the early issues have been recreated on the web so far, 'Tandra' and 'The Golden Warrior of Tandra'; they are the continuing adventures of John Galon on an alien planet of strange beasts, exotic technology and beautiful women, where the sky is filled with floating islands, and flying ships that travel to them. Hanther's art has brought this world vividly to life, and with the newly-applied color, the world is now vibrant and alive. Worth buying a computer for. OFFICIAL TANDRA WEB SITE: http://www.tandra.com DRAGONROK This latest in the Tandra series, like its ‘brothers’ is a fine, fine production. The printing, production and assembly is perfect. Hanther (writer-artist) is about the best ‘non-commercial’ (widely unfamous)strip artist I’ve seen. His work is powerfully graphic, subtly simple and deviously depicted. Hanther’s art style is very clean. He has a good knowledge of anatomy and his characters are adequately fluid. The continuity is not as dynamic as with the best comic artists (e. g. Raymond, Eisner, Kirby, etc.) and occasionally more variety in terms of panel breakdowns and camera angles would be welcomed. Basically, Hanther’s work shows the influence of Steranko, Wrightson, Al Williamson and certainly Hal Foster. I suspect I’m missing some obvious analogies, but it matters little since Hanther’s work certainly stands on its own. Despite the occasional sexist fling (the author-artist definitely likes bare breasted women, almost everywhere), the female and male characterizations are absolutely wonderful. Unique. Unstereotyped. And their physical characteristics are handled so well that seen from any angle, displaying any emotion, they look like who they’re supposed to look like; and they look like real people. (Though we sure wouldn’t want to meet some of them!) Dragonrok certainly isn’t your average comic strip. Though presented as a series of illustrations, with the text of the story being narration for much of the issue, the story is packed with emotion; real emotions of many moods, from love to maliciousness, sensuality to ruthlessness. A rather awkward flaw exists on the cover spread, for unless you immediately open it up to view its entirety, you may think the issue is called “Onrok”... Other than that, there is little wrong with this publication. There is lots right with it! Rating: 8 out of 10 (Note from Hanther, This review is from a publication titled Lulu Revu and refers to the ink on paper release of the Tandra release Dragonrok, Tandra plates 228 thru 278.)
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