Thursday 20 May 2010

Double Review - Graphic Novels

I have read two graphic novels in the last couple of weeks, so I thought I would review them both together, as both are eligible for the Once Upon A Time Challenge, Library Challenge and the Graphic Novel Challenge.

The first book I read was Fables: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham. This book collects together the first five issues of Willingham's new Vertigo series.

The book is set in Fabletown, where exiled fairy tale legends, such as Snow White and The Big Bad Wolf , live alongside regular New Yorkers. They each wear a glamour which covers up their true identity and live as a small community, trying to fit in with life in New York.

When Snow White's sister Rose Red is believed to be killed,the Fabletown residents are in uproar. Big Bad Wolf and Snow White set out to solve the case of her murder.

Wow, this book was amazing. Every page filled with characters from my childhood, thought they are a lot more grown up in this book. I wouldn't recommend this as a book for children as some of the pictures are a little graphic and you may end up giving your child nightmares about Rose Red in the nude!

The story is gripping and I found that I read the whole book in one session,finishing with a thirst for more. Luckily this is just the first book in the series, so I can't wait to get hold of the rest of the books.

The League of Extraordinary Gentleman by Alan Moore.

Challenges - Once Upon A Time Challenge, Library Challenge and Graphic Novel Challenge.

Oh how I wish I had enjoyed this one as much as Fables. For some reason, I just couldn't wait to finish this book.

The year is 1898, as the Victorian Age draws to a close, the world undergoes some great changes and chaos begins to reign. A new order of champions is needed.

Allan Quartermain, Captain Nemo, Hawley Griffin, Jekyll and Hyde and Mina Murray are brought together to create the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Recruited by the enigmatic Campion Bond, who is under orders from the mysterious 'M', the six adventurers must stop the nefarious Doctor from world domination.

With such a wonderful caste of characters I had expected these comic books to live up to the film, which I thought was fabulous, but they left me bored. Quite a few of the pages were in different languages and there was no translation, so I had no idea what they were saying. The pictures were very dark and just didn't hold my interest as much as Fables did.

Unfortunately this book, just wasn't for me and I imagine a lot of other bloggers have loved it. Let me know what you thought of both of these books.

18 comments:

  1. I'm so tempted now because you made it sound so good! I like the idea of fairy tale characters living a normal life with regular people. I'm still shying away from graphic novels because of their cost.

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  2. I'm so glad you loved Fables, Vivienne! Welcome to the fanclub :D I didn't love League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as much as I was hoping to either. It's not that I disliked it, but I thought that the other Alan Moore books I've read were more layered and complex and just more interesting.

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  3. Alyce - I got mine from the library as they are rather expensive. Does your library stock graphic novels.

    Nymeth - I just hope I get hold of the rest as our library can be a bit hit and miss. Can you believe they only have two Charles De Lint books available. I think I may be making a rather large purchase from Amazon soon.

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  4. I got excited when I saw The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, so I was sorry to see it was a disappointment. Thanks for letting us know!

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  5. Fables sounds fantastic! I think I'm going to have to get hold of a copy!

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  6. I tried to read that Fables book recently but tossed it down in disgust less than two pages in. The artwork was all superhero-comic-style, with weird creatures and women whose boobs were bursting out of their dresses. Not my thing. But I admit, I have a personal bias against the author, and I'm sure that colored my decision.

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  7. Oh Vivienne, I made the decision last fall that graphic novels just weren't for me. I think it is because I do not multi-task well, and there is simply too much happening on the page for my brain to take it all in.

    Then.....I read this review.....and now I want to give graphic novels one more try because both of these sound terrific. I hope the library has copies :)

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  8. I love League of Extraordinary Gentlement. You might try another volume - the first is really a lot of setup and I think they get more fun and adventurous as you go on.

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  9. Nice review :)

    I am gonna borrow some graphic novels from a friend soon and read them

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  10. Dare I say it... I preferred the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen books to the films - I've read volume one & two and enjoyed them both I must admit. I did love the film just not as much as the books.

    Fables is calling my name, seriously I think I NEED to read that. May pop over to the library in a bit and see if they can order it for me ;)

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  11. I haven't heard of either of these before, although I have heard of the League of Extraordinary Gentleman, but not the graphic novel. It's funny because out of the two I think I would expect to like the second better, but you make the first one sound so interesting.

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  12. Your double review makes me want to run out to the bookstore and bring home a stack of GNs. Fables sounds fantastic! I am also very interested in Blankets.

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  13. I enjoyed the film League Of Extraordinary Gentleman but after your comments I don't think I'll bother with the novel.

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  14. I know the Gentlemen book gets a lot of rave reviews from the blogosphere but I haven't been that interested in it. Now Fables sounds really fun to me. It's been a while since I picked up a graphic novel. I'm falling behind on my challenge! Ah well, what else is new :)

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  15. I really need to read a graphic nover, these both sound really good, even the second one. I did watch that movie a while back. Great reviews.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  16. Yay for Fables! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I'm thinking about re-reading the series over the summer. I felt the same way about The League of Extraordinary Men. It just didn't do enough for me.

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  17. I did the same as bermudaonion - I got a little excited when I saw League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and then drooped a little when you said it was disappointing. I think I'll give Fables another try, maybe it was the episode or volume or whatever you call it that I picked up?

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  18. It is so interesting to see how we can all have different takes on stories. I LOVE League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the graphic novel, and felt like the film was the biggest travesty that I ever saw. Ha! Fables is infinitely a better overall graphic novel series, but I found League, at least this first volume, to be quite special. But then I really loved the art too and there was something about it that just touched the right cord.

    I'm afraid one day someone will try to make a Fables film and I just cannot imagine them being able to do it justice. Still, I imagine I'd be in line to see it all the same. :)

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