readingratboy's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
a story about emotional baggage in relationships that borrows the imagery of icarus and the sun.
the art is evocative and well done, but the story is very blah. at least it didn’t take very long to read.
the art is evocative and well done, but the story is very blah. at least it didn’t take very long to read.
katykat3's review
4.0
I've been following Gabriel Picolo for many years on instagram and was so excited to finally get ahold of his Icarus and the Sun book! This art was one of the main reasons I started following him back in the day :) That made it even more rewarding to see how so many of these previously shared paintings were melded together to make a cohesive story. I loved the style used throughout, and I was really impressed with how everything was brought together. I think the story was missing a little "oomph" at the end -- I don't think I connected with Icarus quite enough, and I think maybe some of the parallels drawn in the book needed a bit more fleshing out either in terms of a few more panels or a bit more explicit dialog. It was still really fun to read and I will definitely be checking out the next story that Gabriel pens for himself!
phephl's review
4.0
As with most graphic novels, most of my enjoyment of this came from the artwork - it’s absolutely stunning. But the story isn’t bad either! It’s not particularly long or complicated, but it is emotional, and I really enjoyed it
monroe_reads's review
4.0
The book is illustrated beautifully. Some scenes will stay with me.
The plot felt a little lacking, which is why I dropped a star. But overall I am thrilled to have it in my hands!
The plot felt a little lacking, which is why I dropped a star. But overall I am thrilled to have it in my hands!
gabrielleragusi's review
4.0
3.8 stars
This was a short, sweet story, but it's far from perfect.
It's about a relationship between two people who are hurting, one more than the other.
Icarus is the main character. He's an interesting and sweet boy struggling with his loneliness and depression, but what we read in this book is but a moment in time.
With all the sketches and illustrations the author has posted over the years, I'd have loved to see more backstory - and, well, just more.
Same goes for the Sun. She's an underdeveloped character but a strong female lead who knows what she wants in her relationship with Icarus. We know virtually nothing about her, other than the fact that her ex left her and that she likes David Bowie. The ex is seen in a poster, but we know nothing about her either.
As for the story and pacing.
The story has bittersweet moments, especially the stages of grief, and they are beautifully portrayed.
I wish these stages hadn't been labelled so clearly though (I mean, they're literally labelled and mentioned in each panel). Of course that would have required a different writing and more pages for a smoother pacing and development.
I've recently played Gris, a puzzle video game, and that's the kind of writing I'd have loved to see in a book like this, where each stage of grief has its own voice, subtle but unique.
Icarus' negative emotions could have had similar treatment. The author made a beautiful metaphor using plants, so he had a solid base to explore the theme further. I feel like he barely scratched the surface of such an important topic, preferring to depict it in a more superficial way.
Everything was rushed in my opinion, which is something I can understand from a technical point of view (producing a comic book requires a lot of time and effort).
Most of us backers were expecting more pages and I must admit I was more than a little disappointed with the extra thickness of the paper (it tricked me into thinking the story was longer), so I hope this is going to be the first book in a series.
I mean, it can't be a standalone book for many reasons.
And if you put a third character in a poster who's barely mentioned in the story, I naturally expect to see it again later on!
So, why the high rating?
Because the beautiful art makes up for it. There are a couple of spreads that are absolutely breathtaking. And because I grew fond of the characters before I even read the book.
This was a short, sweet story, but it's far from perfect.
It's about a relationship between two people who are hurting, one more than the other.
Icarus is the main character. He's an interesting and sweet boy struggling with his loneliness and depression, but what we read in this book is but a moment in time.
With all the sketches and illustrations the author has posted over the years, I'd have loved to see more backstory - and, well, just more.
Same goes for the Sun. She's an underdeveloped character but a strong female lead who knows what she wants in her relationship with Icarus. We know virtually nothing about her, other than the fact that her ex left her and that she likes David Bowie. The ex is seen in a poster
Spoiler
and she's probably the moonAs for the story and pacing.
The story has bittersweet moments, especially the stages of grief, and they are beautifully portrayed.
I wish these stages hadn't been labelled so clearly though (I mean, they're literally labelled and mentioned in each panel). Of course that would have required a different writing and more pages for a smoother pacing and development.
I've recently played Gris, a puzzle video game, and that's the kind of writing I'd have loved to see in a book like this, where each stage of grief has its own voice, subtle but unique.
Icarus' negative emotions could have had similar treatment. The author made a beautiful metaphor using plants, so he had a solid base to explore the theme further. I feel like he barely scratched the surface of such an important topic, preferring to depict it in a more superficial way.
Everything was rushed in my opinion, which is something I can understand from a technical point of view (producing a comic book requires a lot of time and effort).
Most of us backers were expecting more pages and I must admit I was more than a little disappointed with the extra thickness of the paper (it tricked me into thinking the story was longer), so I hope this is going to be the first book in a series.
I mean, it can't be a standalone book for many reasons.
And if you put a third character in a poster who's barely mentioned in the story, I naturally expect to see it again later on!
So, why the high rating?
Because the beautiful art makes up for it. There are a couple of spreads that are absolutely breathtaking. And because I grew fond of the characters before I even read the book.
rhistutz11's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nathlynn's review
4.0
It did not disappoint at all, and it has been quite the wait. As soon as I opened it I devoured it. I just could not wait. It is beautiful well told story, but there is so much more to it than what I knew to expect.
ikovski's review
5.0
well guys, I'm following this guy on deviantart, (yeah i have an account, i'm one of the first prayers for this story to become a book) and let me tell you, the book is not completed. i just re-read and wanted to add here. cuz' i'm falling in graphic novel hole.
IT'S COMING! HE SAYS IT'S FINISHED!
but we have to wait more cuz all printing and preparing process u know.
well, does not change the fact i will not effort the book, as if it ever will be ship to turkey at all. i'm hoping it will be publish ebook too.
so Picolo-kun aka gabriel picolo's last updates are here:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/icarus-and-the-sun#/updates/all
'till then,,,
and if you think the story is meh, you are wrong. it's more than an inspiration of icarus and sun, it is a metaphor of sacrifice and sorrow and patience and connection... and above all, just love.
IT'S COMING! HE SAYS IT'S FINISHED!
but we have to wait more cuz all printing and preparing process u know.
well, does not change the fact i will not effort the book, as if it ever will be ship to turkey at all. i'm hoping it will be publish ebook too.
so Picolo-kun aka gabriel picolo's last updates are here:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/icarus-and-the-sun#/updates/all
'till then,,,
and if you think the story is meh, you are wrong. it's more than an inspiration of icarus and sun, it is a metaphor of sacrifice and sorrow and patience and connection... and above all, just love.