Earlier this month, Hungarian publisher Ciceró Könyvstúdió released a new edition of Redwall by Brian Jacques for 2023, Rőtfal, and our copy just arrived! The novel features striking cover artwork created by Hungarian illustrator Richard Vass, while the interior map and illustrations are the same from the original publication by Gary Chalk. To the best of the Redwall Wiki's knowledge, Redwall had not been published in Hungary previously. The text was translated by Tamás Gábor.
On the cover, Matthias wields the sword of Martin the Warrior on the ramparts of Redwall Abbey, as Warbeak goes on the attack and an incredibly fearsome and downright terrifying Constance defends the peaceful residents from Cluny the Scourge's horde. It's abundantly clear: you probably wouldn't like Constance when she's angry.
We spoke with Vass, who said he "would like to create all of [the covers]" and also graciously provided us with a beautiful print of the cover artwork (above).
"First of all...I read the book. Then I made a rough sketch for the publisher (beside this they had an idea)," Vass told us about his illustrative process. "I created the base of the cover (ink on paper) lines and grey-values. Then I scanned it, and added the final colour in PhotoShop."
Check out the artwork as it progressed below.
The back cover features a summary of the Hungarian Redwall edition.
Hungarian
A Rőtfal apátság békeszerető egér lakosai nem sokáig élvezhetik a Kései Rózsa nyarának nyugalmát. Korbácsos Cluny, az ádáz, félszemű patkány hadvezér véres ostromra készül hordájával, hogy elfoglalja az apátságot. Rőtfal egerei és hűséges erdei barátaik azonban bátran ellenállnak, bár nagy a túlerő. Egyikük, a novícius Mátyás pedig elhatározza, hogy felkutatja a legendás Harcos Martin örökségét…
Brian Jacques klasszikus könyvsorozata számos filmadaptációt megélt és olyan alkotókat ihletett meg, mint David Petersen, az Egérőrség rajzolója. Rőtfal időtlen regéi bővelkednek a humorban, bölcsességben és a vérfagyasztó izgalomban.
English translation (via Google Translate)
The peace-loving mouse residents of Rőtfal Abbey won't be able to enjoy the peace of the Summer of the Late Rose for long. Cluny the Whip, the ferocious, one-eyed rat warlord, prepares his horde for a bloody siege to capture the abbey. However, the mice of Rőtfal and their loyal forest friends bravely resist, even though they are greatly outnumbered. One of them, the novice Mátyás, decides to search for the legacy of the legendary Warrior Martin...
Brian Jacques' classic book series has been adapted into many films and has inspired artists such as David Petersen, the illustrator of The Mouse Guard. Rőtfal's timeless reggae abound in humor, wisdom and blood-curdling excitement.
At the very end of the novel, a preview page indicates that Martin the Warrior (Martin, a harcos) will be the "next" Redwall publication from Ciceró! Martin, a harcos was last published around 2004 in Hungary.
If this is the case, we're certainly looking forward to this upcoming edition, especially if Vass is once again the artist.
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