Funky Koval: Difference between revisions
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==Development== |
==Development== |
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The initial [[scenario]] for the comic about the adventures of a space detective was created by {{ill|Wiktor Żwikiewicz|pl|Wiktor Żwikiewicz)}} and {{ill|Jacek Rodek|pl|Jacek Rodek}}, however Żwikiewicz soon afterward withdraw from the project, and was replaced by [[Maciej Parowski]]; Rodek and Parowski are credited as the main writers for all volumes. The [[drawings]] were done by [[Bogusław Polch]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Centarowski |first=Michał |date=2007 |title=Punky Rock is not dead |language=Polish |volume=300 |work=Nowa Fantastyka |issue=9 |url=http://mdgdata.home.pl/funkykoval/?punky-rock-is-not-dead,47}}</ref> It was first published in November 1982 on four [[black and white]] pages in the second issue of ''[[Fantastyka]]'', a Polish [[Science fiction magazine|sci-fi magazine]]. The first episodes were more of the 'comic [[short story]]' format, |
The initial [[scenario]] for the comic about the adventures of a space detective was created by {{ill|Wiktor Żwikiewicz|pl|Wiktor Żwikiewicz)}} and {{ill|Jacek Rodek|pl|Jacek Rodek}}, however Żwikiewicz soon afterward withdraw from the project, and was replaced by [[Maciej Parowski]]; Rodek and Parowski are credited as the main writers for all volumes. The [[drawings]] were done by [[Bogusław Polch]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Centarowski |first=Michał |date=2007 |title=Punky Rock is not dead |language=Polish |volume=300 |work=Nowa Fantastyka |issue=9 |url=http://mdgdata.home.pl/funkykoval/?punky-rock-is-not-dead,47}}</ref> It was first published in November 1982 on four [[black and white]] pages in the second issue of ''[[Fantastyka]]'', a Polish [[Science fiction magazine|sci-fi magazine]], and continued to be published in this format for many years.<ref name=":2" /> The first episodes were more of the independent 'comic [[short story]]' format, as the writers wanted to experiment with different ideas. Later, the comic moved to more lengthy, novel-like plots, following urging by Polch who argued for more consistency.<ref name=":2" /> |
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| ⚫ | Gossip and semi-official promises about that new parts of the comics have been circulating for many years, but no official announcement have been made until 2010, when it started to be serialised in the SF monthly ''[[Nowa Fantastyka]]''. The fourth part was titled "Wrogie przejęcie" (Hostile takeover).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koziński |first=Miłosz |date=2011-11-24 |title="Funky Koval" tom 4: "Wrogie przejęcie" - recenzja |url=https://paradoks.net.pl/read/17697-funky-koval-tom-4-wrogie-przejecie-recenzja |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Paradoks |language=pl}}</ref> |
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With the release of the 'Komiks-Fantastyka' series in 1987, the comics were rereleased in 3 albums (''Bez oddechu'' (Without rest), ''Sam przeciw wszystkim'' (Alone against everyone), ''Wbrew sobie'' (Against oneself)). The first album, ''Bez oddechu'', contained collected stories published earlier (1982-1983), reprinted in Fantastyka, colored and with some additional panels to allow easier transition between various stories. The second collected the 1985 more novel-like story; the third - the 1991-1992 story. |
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== Release history == |
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In 2002 it was reprinted again in a mega-album ''Klasyka Polskiego Komiksu - Funky Koval'', it also contained the beginning of the fourth series - "Bez litosci" (Without mercy). |
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In 1987, the comics were rereleased in albums, colored and with some additional panels to allow easier transition between various stories. The first album, ''Bez oddechu'' (Breathless) contained collected the episodic stories published in ''Fantastyka in'' 1982-1983. The second, ''Sam przeciw wszystkim'' (Alone against everyone), released in 1988, collected the stories published in 1985-1986; and the third, ''Wbrew sobie'' (Against oneself), released in 1992, the ones from 1991-1992.<ref name=":2" /> |
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The first two albums were released in the {{ill|Komiks-Fantastyka|pl|Komiks-Fantastyka}} imprint. Two more complete, single-volume editions were released by {{ill|Prószyński i S-ka|pl|Prószyński i S-ka}} in early 1990s and 2010s. ''Klasyka Polskiego Komiksu - Funky Koval'', collecting the first three albums in one book, was released by {{ill|Egmont Polska|pl|Egmont Polska}} in 2002, and ''Funky Koval. Wydanie kolekcjonerskie. 4 tomy'', collecting all four albums, was released by {{ill|Prószyński Media|pl|Prószyński Media}} in 2014. |
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| ⚫ | Gossip and semi-official promises about that new parts of the comics have been circulating for many years, but no official announcement have been made until 2010, when it started to be serialised in the SF monthly ''[[Nowa Fantastyka]]''. The fourth part was titled "Wrogie przejęcie" (Hostile takeover).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koziński |first=Miłosz |date=2011-11-24 |title="Funky Koval" tom 4: "Wrogie przejęcie" - recenzja |url=https://paradoks.net.pl/read/17697-funky-koval-tom-4-wrogie-przejecie-recenzja |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Paradoks |language=pl}}</ref> |
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==Art== |
==Art== |
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[[Image:Funky koval 02.jpg|thumb|right|Cover of ''Funky Koval'' #2 from the 1980s, Poland.]] |
[[Image:Funky koval 02.jpg|thumb|right|Cover of ''Funky Koval'' #2 from the 1980s, Poland.]] |
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The plot resolves around the figure of former military pilot and now space detective, Funky Koval, who with his friends and colleagues forms a private detective agency "Universs" and solves various cases in the futuristic world of the 2080s. His investigations range from corruption in the police and government, through fighting cultists and terrorists, investigating missing spaceships and illegal slave camps, to the mystery of the Drolls aliens, who seem to have a much more advanced technology than the humans, and whose plans for the humanity - if any - remain a mystery.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=13 September 2008 |title=Amerykanie zekranizują przygody Funky Kovala |url=http://www.komiks.gildia.pl/newsy/archiwum/2008/09/funky-koval-hollywood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031015644/http://www.komiks.gildia.pl/newsy/archiwum/2008/09/funky-koval-hollywood |archive-date=2015-10-31 |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Gildia.pl |language=Polish}}</ref> |
The plot resolves around the figure of former military pilot and now space detective, Funky Koval, who with his friends and colleagues forms a private detective agency "Universs" and solves various cases in the futuristic world of the 2080s. His investigations range from corruption in the police and government, through fighting cultists and terrorists, investigating missing spaceships and illegal slave camps, to the mystery of the Drolls aliens, who seem to have a much more advanced technology than the humans, and whose plans for the humanity - if any - remain a mystery.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=13 September 2008 |title=Amerykanie zekranizują przygody Funky Kovala |url=http://www.komiks.gildia.pl/newsy/archiwum/2008/09/funky-koval-hollywood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031015644/http://www.komiks.gildia.pl/newsy/archiwum/2008/09/funky-koval-hollywood |archive-date=2015-10-31 |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Gildia.pl |language=Polish}}</ref> |
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==Cultural impact== |
==Cultural impact== |
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Revision as of 10:56, 8 June 2022
Funky Koval is a 4-part Polish science fiction/detective story/political fiction genre comic book published in Poland in the 1980s. It gained a cult following and is still recognized as one of the best Polish comics. All comics debuted i Fantastyka, a Polish sci-fi magazine, and were later released as color albums.
Development
The initial scenario for the comic about the adventures of a space detective was created by Wiktor Żwikiewicz and Jacek Rodek, however Żwikiewicz soon afterward withdraw from the project, and was replaced by Maciej Parowski; Rodek and Parowski are credited as the main writers for all volumes. The drawings were done by Bogusław Polch.[1] It was first published in November 1982 on four black and white pages in the second issue of Fantastyka, a Polish sci-fi magazine, and continued to be published in this format for many years.[1] The first episodes were more of the independent 'comic short story' format, as the writers wanted to experiment with different ideas. Later, the comic moved to more lengthy, novel-like plots, following urging by Polch who argued for more consistency.[1]
Gossip and semi-official promises about that new parts of the comics have been circulating for many years, but no official announcement have been made until 2010, when it started to be serialised in the SF monthly Nowa Fantastyka. The fourth part was titled "Wrogie przejęcie" (Hostile takeover).[2]
Release history
In 1987, the comics were rereleased in albums, colored and with some additional panels to allow easier transition between various stories. The first album, Bez oddechu (Breathless) contained collected the episodic stories published in Fantastyka in 1982-1983. The second, Sam przeciw wszystkim (Alone against everyone), released in 1988, collected the stories published in 1985-1986; and the third, Wbrew sobie (Against oneself), released in 1992, the ones from 1991-1992.[1]
The first two albums were released in the Komiks-Fantastyka imprint. Two more complete, single-volume editions were released by Prószyński i S-ka in early 1990s and 2010s. Klasyka Polskiego Komiksu - Funky Koval, collecting the first three albums in one book, was released by Egmont Polska in 2002, and Funky Koval. Wydanie kolekcjonerskie. 4 tomy, collecting all four albums, was released by Prószyński Media in 2014.
Art
A notable feature of the comic is the art of Bogusław Polch, known for his unique style and minute attention to details. He was known to put much more details into his drawings than could be actually printed in the comics; many of his panels are rich with tiny details - for example, in one panel showing Koval's room the reader can see names of the books and magazines on his bookshelf (they include works by Philip K. Dick, Stanislaw Lem and the 'Fantastyka' magazine). Many gadgets have logos of known companies (such as Sharp and Sony), and their characteristics shapes - of videophones, guns, spaceships or flying cars - are also one of the trademarks of that comic book.
The art in the third series is different from that in the first two: in the third series Polch experimented with more simple style, sometimes bordering on caricatures. This change proved to be a disappointment to some fans used to his earlier, more detailed and realistic style.
Plot summary
The plot resolves around the figure of former military pilot and now space detective, Funky Koval, who with his friends and colleagues forms a private detective agency "Universs" and solves various cases in the futuristic world of the 2080s. His investigations range from corruption in the police and government, through fighting cultists and terrorists, investigating missing spaceships and illegal slave camps, to the mystery of the Drolls aliens, who seem to have a much more advanced technology than the humans, and whose plans for the humanity - if any - remain a mystery.[1][3]
Cultural impact
This comic book gained a cult following in Poland,[4] partially due to the high quality of drawings and plot, and partially due to many subtle connections with the real world of the 1980s Poland (martial law in Poland, Jerzy Urban, Polish Round Table Agreement). Although some of those elements are no longer easily read by modern audience, the comic is still seen as one of the best Polish sci-fi works, and has influenced more recent works.
Movie
In 2008 Polch told the press than an American producer that has bought the rights to the trilogy. The movie is based on Bez Oddechu.[3][5][6] In 2011 it was announced that the movie is to be produced by Josi W. Konski and Roland von Ciel with a $37 million budget, with the planned release as early as 2012.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Centarowski, Michał (2007). "Punky Rock is not dead". Nowa Fantastyka (in Polish). Vol. 300, no. 9.
- ^ Koziński, Miłosz (2011-11-24). ""Funky Koval" tom 4: "Wrogie przejęcie" - recenzja". Paradoks (in Polish). Retrieved 2022-06-08.
- ^ a b "Amerykanie zekranizują przygody Funky Kovala". Gildia.pl (in Polish). 13 September 2008. Archived from the original on 2015-10-31. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
- ^ a b Latek, Katarzyna (13 March 2011). "Kultowy komiks czeka ekranizacja" [Screen adaptation of cult comic waiting]. Puls Biznesu (in Polish). Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ "Poland's cult scifi/detective comic FUNKY KOVAL getting adapted". Quiet Earth. 10 May 2009. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
- ^ "Funky Koval idzie do kina". Aleja Komiksu (in Polish). 2008-09-13. Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
External links
- (in Polish) "Klasyka polskiego komiksu: Funky Koval" - review
- (in Polish) Kosmiczny Detektyw - review
- (in Polish) Funky Koval - review
- (in Polish) FUNKY KOVAL ŻYJE! - article from Świat Komiksu 29, wrzesień 2002
- (in Polish) Mam mnóstwo własnych pomysłów - Interview with Polch
- (in Polish) "Official Fansite"
- Funky Koval Movie website
- "IMDB "