Post by Crom-Cruach on Mar 17, 2011 12:42:07 GMT -5
Alright, as promised I will begin a series of presentations and reviews of European comics, hoping to spark some interest and informing people what can be found out there.
So as a start, Blacksad:
Series Name: Blacksad
Type: Noir, Murder-mystery, some social commentary
Publisher: Dargaud, available in the U.S through Dark Horse
Writer: Juan Diaz Canales
Artist: Juanjo Guarnido
Description: Blacksad is an ongoing series of noir style stories starring the character that gives the series it's name, Blacksad. Blacksad is a private detective in 1950's New York who either through being hired or contacts with friend investigates mysteries and deals with the social backdrop of the era. Everything from anti-communist paranoia, to racial tensions, to the after-effects of WW2.
So far the following volumes have been published:
-Tome 1: Somewhere within the Shadows
-Tome 2: Arctic Nation
-Tome 3: Red Soul
-Tome 4: Hell, Silence
What makes this a good series: Quality of research and presentation of the era used. The writer really has an excellent grasp of the world of 1950's U.S. The locations are perfectly suited for the story, the setting is feels very real and the dialogue, style of speech is really well done.
Anyone who looks at the cover or just opens the book, will notice all the characters are anthropomorphic animals. This is a deliberate style choice. The animals each character is, represents their moods, their nature etc. A slimy business man is an iguana etc. Brutes are often elephants, bears and such. It makes for very interesting imagery on many occasions and further hammers home certain aspects of the setting story. Such as when in Tome 2 that deals with racism and segregation, where the KKK expy (the group called arctic Nation) is composed entirely of polar animals, like bears, foxes, seals etc.
I cannot overemphasize the beauty of the art in this series. Each scene, panel an image is hand painted and drawn like a beautiful canvas. If art is a big draw for you, then you will love this series. Some panels are so beautifully detailed that you only stare for many moments just to capture in your mind the beautiful image before you. Guarnido is a master artist, there's no way around it.
Story wise, it is a very intelligently and well written series. Insightful, with just the right tone and mood for what the tale it wants to tell. The endings are often bittersweet or at times even just bitter as befits noir and realistic drama (despite again the anthropomorphic animals)
Can I even get in the U.S?: As it stands, absolutely, you can get an English Translated version through our friends at Darkhorse whom have the contract for U.S distribution.
As well if you want the original french language version. You can order them online. Dargaud sells world wide through there.
Final Verdict:
Story: 4/5
Art: 5/5
So as a start, Blacksad:
Series Name: Blacksad
Type: Noir, Murder-mystery, some social commentary
Publisher: Dargaud, available in the U.S through Dark Horse
Writer: Juan Diaz Canales
Artist: Juanjo Guarnido
Description: Blacksad is an ongoing series of noir style stories starring the character that gives the series it's name, Blacksad. Blacksad is a private detective in 1950's New York who either through being hired or contacts with friend investigates mysteries and deals with the social backdrop of the era. Everything from anti-communist paranoia, to racial tensions, to the after-effects of WW2.
So far the following volumes have been published:
-Tome 1: Somewhere within the Shadows
-Tome 2: Arctic Nation
-Tome 3: Red Soul
-Tome 4: Hell, Silence
What makes this a good series: Quality of research and presentation of the era used. The writer really has an excellent grasp of the world of 1950's U.S. The locations are perfectly suited for the story, the setting is feels very real and the dialogue, style of speech is really well done.
Anyone who looks at the cover or just opens the book, will notice all the characters are anthropomorphic animals. This is a deliberate style choice. The animals each character is, represents their moods, their nature etc. A slimy business man is an iguana etc. Brutes are often elephants, bears and such. It makes for very interesting imagery on many occasions and further hammers home certain aspects of the setting story. Such as when in Tome 2 that deals with racism and segregation, where the KKK expy (the group called arctic Nation) is composed entirely of polar animals, like bears, foxes, seals etc.
I cannot overemphasize the beauty of the art in this series. Each scene, panel an image is hand painted and drawn like a beautiful canvas. If art is a big draw for you, then you will love this series. Some panels are so beautifully detailed that you only stare for many moments just to capture in your mind the beautiful image before you. Guarnido is a master artist, there's no way around it.
Story wise, it is a very intelligently and well written series. Insightful, with just the right tone and mood for what the tale it wants to tell. The endings are often bittersweet or at times even just bitter as befits noir and realistic drama (despite again the anthropomorphic animals)
Can I even get in the U.S?: As it stands, absolutely, you can get an English Translated version through our friends at Darkhorse whom have the contract for U.S distribution.
As well if you want the original french language version. You can order them online. Dargaud sells world wide through there.
Final Verdict:
Story: 4/5
Art: 5/5
