The Faceless: A Terry Sharp Story [Paperback]

Robert Tinnell (Author), Adrian Salmon (Author), Adrian Salmon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Terry Sharp Story | Publication Date: October 11, 2005

Once upon a time in England, 1962. By day, Terry Sharp is a successful director of horror films, consumer of cocktails, and chaser of skirts. By night, the horror is real as he battles tirelessly against a Satanic conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government. Sharp's willing to go to hell... so you won't have to.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a terrific idea for a comic... a treasure chest of trivia that B-movie geeks will no doubt savor." -- The Astounding B-Monster, October 2005

"...an interesting bit of high-concept fun, mixing elements of James Bond, Alastair Crowley, and Alfred Hitchcock..." -- Moviepoopshoot.com, November 2005

"...perfect escapism...the most stylistic comic images I've seen in an original graphic novel." -- BookShelfComics.com October 2005

"...this tale of witchcraft and political conspiracy is relentless...a true page turner...Good scream fun." -- Rue Morgue magazine, July 2005

From the Back Cover

"If there was any way to steal someone's talent - I would kill Ade in a second to drawl like him. Amazing." - Michael Avon Oeming

"If you enjoy classic horror films, occult intrigue, and bold dynamic storytelling, you'll get the point of Terry Sharp's adventures. Written with an insider's expertise, this tale of a director pursued by demons is fast-paced, frightening fun." - Les Daniels, author of Comix: A History of Comic Books in America

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Image Comics (October 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582405166
• ISBN-13: 978-1582405162
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,239,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Publishers > Image Comics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So much to say about this book. Let's get this party started. . ., July 13, 2006

By 

the_wolfman_of_spain "Eurotrash Paradise foun... (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Faceless: A Terry Sharp Story (Paperback)

"You were drafted into a war, Terry. A war against an enemy who is nameless. Faceless. They lay low for years, spinning their webs. Makes one paranoid in time - wondering if you've dreamt it all. And then tonight happens. And you realize it isn't all a dream."

I love that. For me, that passage sums up the mood of THE FACELESS perfectly. Subtle. Secretive. It takes its time to weave its magic spell, much like Bava took his time to work his sorcery with some of his films (KILL BABY KILL being the best example of his slow-burn approach to horror). Terry is a enigma. A womanizer. A creative. Arrogant and full of bluster, it's no surprise he has at least one failed marriage behind him. But you like the guy. He's tough. He doesn't mess around and he doesn't suffer fools. And he's larger-than-life, but if twice-as-ugly, at least the ladies don't care. ("Will you be breaking my heart too, Terry?" "Most likely." "Splendid. . .")

Unanswered questions tantalize us. Who are The Faceless, and what, exactly, were the tragedies that Terry was unfortunate enough to witness which pulled him into this nightmare requiring magical protection to survive? We want to know. Peppered with Hammer Films in jokes, and a very pleasing THE DEVIL'S BRIDE vibe running thru it, I am already thrilling at how the circles of protection in basement rooms and freshly conjured marauding demons would translate to the big screen. Perhaps Terry could even meet the Duc De Richleau? Will the J&B flow freely in YELLOW? *CLINK*

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gets the GROOVY AGE OF HORROR Seal of Approval!!, January 11, 2006

By 

Curt Purcell (GA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Faceless: A Terry Sharp Story (Paperback)

I write a blog all about horror from the '60s-'70s, and I'm here to tell you that FACELESS hits the groovy nail on the head. The story is an absolute treat for Hammer fans. The look is spectacularly reminiscent of the colored-gel lighting techniques of Italian horror masters Mario Bava and Dario Argento. If, like me, you have an overlapping love of Hammer and eurotrash, you'll really be in heaven!

Tinnell knows his Hammer. He doesn't just make references or winks; he creates a whole alternate world where "Midwich Studios" cranks out schlocky cult classics like Baron Frankenstein, Return of Frankenstein, Blood of Frankenstein, and Cult of Dracula. We get stars like "Peter Lingham" selecting eyeballs from glass jars in gruesome close-up. I got so caught up in it, I started to wish there really had been a Midwich Studios, and then I had to remind myself--oh yeah, there was! Satanic cults were probably the top horror staple all through the period, so Tinnell's use of them here just ratchets up the groovy factor that much more.

Art-wise, this is Adrian Salmon's American breakout effort, and he clearly understands the stakes, because he goes for broke. I've already remarked on the eye-popping colors, which are the first thing you'll notice on a casual flip-through. Salmon's drawing is just as arrestingly stylized and non-realistic, and it suits the story to a T.

Then we get a mock retrospective article on Midwich by Mark Clark and Bryan Senn, and a mock interview with one of the actresses by Tom Weaver. The backup feature--scenes from Return of Frankenstein drawn by Neil Vokes--alone is worth the price of admission.

I just can't recommend this highly enough!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sharp Design, A Cutting Tale!, July 16, 2006

By 

David Zuzelo (Dedham, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Faceless: A Terry Sharp Story (Paperback)

The Faceless (the first Terry Sharp tale in a long line I hope) is one of the rarest of all birds these days. A graphic novel that manages to create a solid air of mystery around both the characters and what could happen next. Taking an obvious love of horror films to a new level in comics storytelling, not only is it LIKE the classic Hammer films, it creates something new from that stylized mythos. A character obviously crafted with care, Terry is exactly the kind of guy you would expect to find in the middle of a bizarre conspiracy...but cooler! Blended with just the right sprinkles of cool and confusion-The Faceless leaves the reader wanting more. And you get it with the bonus interview and a short "film" that is worthy of it's heritage with each panel. And the art... Adrian Salmon mixes total stylistic coolness with the rare ability (and attention to) actual SEQUENTIAL STORYTELLING that is lost so often in the "hep" world of graphic (design) novels. Excellent character design that doesn't forget expressiveness in both motion and in simple telling details such as facial expressions, it flows well and compliments the story instead of overpowering it. The coloring is simply peerless as well-instead of candy coloring everything and making it look like everything else on the market these days, the mood is set by the colors and the story flows through the art. Neil Vokes provides the startlingly cinematic backup art, complimented well by the coloring of lead artist Salmon.
Overall, a chance to get something that many comics don't bear out of late-pure graphic satisfaction.