cheddyspageddy's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic tale of fame, flaws, and film-making in 1940’s Hollywood. The Fade Out is, on paper, a mystery, but I’d say it’s less about the mystery aspect and more of an exploration of the dark, seedy underbelly of Hollywood. Brubaker has a way of making you care about these characters in only 12 issues that some writers can’t achieve in dozens. It helps that everything on display is so visceral and real. Sean Phillip’s art is matches this type of story perfectly. His usage of shadows and moody environments are key for developing this atmosphere. At the same time though, he makes sure to capture the glitz and glamour of the movie star life. This isn’t an action-heavy story, so you’ll spend a lot of time with dimly lot rooms and characters talking, and I personally loved it.
Brubaker’s writing of course is what’s keeping this story so engaging. He has truly mastered his craft and it’s great to see him just stretch some creative muscles. Between this and his other stories I think he’s carved himself a niche within comic books as one of the best crime storytellers and whatever ideas he comes up with are typically gold. This doesn’t require any background knowledge or prior reading. This isn’t part of some grander connected universe, it’s just a story. 12 issues isn’t a very long commitment either which lends itself well to re-reads.
The more I think about it, The Fade Out is definitely a style over substance kind of story. I think the actual whodunnit aspect is really down-played and you spend more time with these characters and how they react to, and move on from, the crime. It’s also a very tragic story. This is LA in the ‘40s and it was not a good time for some people. You get to see how young hopeful girls get treated by shitty producers and agents. You see how drugs and money and alcohol turn people into self-destructive monsters who only focus on the next drink, the next party, the next hit. It’s like peeking behind the curtain and seeing how fucked up that world truly was, and probably still is. As destructive and toxic the movie industry is, it still lends itself to a pretty entertaining ride.
Brubaker’s writing of course is what’s keeping this story so engaging. He has truly mastered his craft and it’s great to see him just stretch some creative muscles. Between this and his other stories I think he’s carved himself a niche within comic books as one of the best crime storytellers and whatever ideas he comes up with are typically gold. This doesn’t require any background knowledge or prior reading. This isn’t part of some grander connected universe, it’s just a story. 12 issues isn’t a very long commitment either which lends itself well to re-reads.
The more I think about it, The Fade Out is definitely a style over substance kind of story. I think the actual whodunnit aspect is really down-played and you spend more time with these characters and how they react to, and move on from, the crime. It’s also a very tragic story. This is LA in the ‘40s and it was not a good time for some people. You get to see how young hopeful girls get treated by shitty producers and agents. You see how drugs and money and alcohol turn people into self-destructive monsters who only focus on the next drink, the next party, the next hit. It’s like peeking behind the curtain and seeing how fucked up that world truly was, and probably still is. As destructive and toxic the movie industry is, it still lends itself to a pretty entertaining ride.
relf's review against another edition
4.0
A great noir graphic novel set in late-1940s Hollywood, with some characters from real-life and a few others thinly disguised. Wonderful art and writing, though the plot lacks something strictly as a whodunit. Dark and suspenseful, just as you'd want.
jenstarfury's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lennyfromspace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
nnewbykew's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
iamlistener's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
i_m_angie's review against another edition
5.0
Não tive oportunidade de ler assim tantas bandas desenhadas de crime como gostaria. Esta é uma das primeiras e sem dúvida que foi incrível. É uma banda desenhada mesmo muito boa, acreditem em mim. Se tiverem oportunidade para ler The Fade Out: Crepúsculo em Hollywood não deixem passar essa oportunidade.
A arte é maravilhosa, até agora das minhas artes preferidas em bandas desenhadas. Souberam escolher os tons perfeitos para dar uma ideia de uma história mais misteriosa, e souberam também equilibrar tons quentes com frios. O desenho pensei que não iria gostar, talvez a falta de detalhes não fosse ideal para este género de banda desenhada, mas enganei-me. O facto de a arte ser simples, mas não muito simples, conseguiu dar um toque especial à história. Não mostrou mais do que devia, isso foi muito bom.
O enredo foi deveras misterioso. É a melhor palavra que eu tenho para definir esta banda desenhada. Mistério do início ao fim. Um assassinato misterioso. Claro que só isto consegue prender qualquer um à história. Fiquei de uma forma apanhada pelas personagens, enredo, tudo. Gostei imenso, surpreendeu e é das minhas bandas desenhadas favoritas.
A melhor parte da história toda é esta vibe toda à Hollywood. Só tenho visto este género de histórias mais em filmes, assim em livros ou mesmo bandas desenhadas não tenho tido grande oportunidade. Ler The Fade Out abriu-me o interesse para mais obras assim do género, com esta vibe mais americana.
Eu tive oportunidade de ler a versão integral da obra, portanto é mesmo enorme. Não tive de esperar pelos próximos volumes, e apesar de ser bem grande a obra dei por mim a voar pelas páginas da banda desenhada. Apreciei a arte, as personagens, a história e quando terminou senti um vazio. Queria mais. Não. Eu precisava de mais. Não tinha noção que esta banda desenhada conseguiria roubar os corações dos leitores. Recomendo.
A arte é maravilhosa, até agora das minhas artes preferidas em bandas desenhadas. Souberam escolher os tons perfeitos para dar uma ideia de uma história mais misteriosa, e souberam também equilibrar tons quentes com frios. O desenho pensei que não iria gostar, talvez a falta de detalhes não fosse ideal para este género de banda desenhada, mas enganei-me. O facto de a arte ser simples, mas não muito simples, conseguiu dar um toque especial à história. Não mostrou mais do que devia, isso foi muito bom.
O enredo foi deveras misterioso. É a melhor palavra que eu tenho para definir esta banda desenhada. Mistério do início ao fim. Um assassinato misterioso. Claro que só isto consegue prender qualquer um à história. Fiquei de uma forma apanhada pelas personagens, enredo, tudo. Gostei imenso, surpreendeu e é das minhas bandas desenhadas favoritas.
A melhor parte da história toda é esta vibe toda à Hollywood. Só tenho visto este género de histórias mais em filmes, assim em livros ou mesmo bandas desenhadas não tenho tido grande oportunidade. Ler The Fade Out abriu-me o interesse para mais obras assim do género, com esta vibe mais americana.
Eu tive oportunidade de ler a versão integral da obra, portanto é mesmo enorme. Não tive de esperar pelos próximos volumes, e apesar de ser bem grande a obra dei por mim a voar pelas páginas da banda desenhada. Apreciei a arte, as personagens, a história e quando terminou senti um vazio. Queria mais. Não. Eu precisava de mais. Não tinha noção que esta banda desenhada conseguiria roubar os corações dos leitores. Recomendo.
cheddie_gibbs's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic tale of fame, flaws, and film-making in 1940’s Hollywood. The Fade Out is, on paper, a mystery, but I’d say it’s less about the mystery aspect and more of an exploration of the dark, seedy underbelly of Hollywood. Brubaker has a way of making you care about these characters in only 12 issues that some writers can’t achieve in dozens. It helps that everything on display is so visceral and real. Sean Phillip’s art is matches this type of story perfectly. His usage of shadows and moody environments are key for developing this atmosphere. At the same time though, he makes sure to capture the glitz and glamour of the movie star life. This isn’t an action-heavy story, so you’ll spend a lot of time with dimly lot rooms and characters talking, and I personally loved it.
Brubaker’s writing of course is what’s keeping this story so engaging. He has truly mastered his craft and it’s great to see him just stretch some creative muscles. Between this and his other stories I think he’s carved himself a niche within comic books as one of the best crime storytellers and whatever ideas he comes up with are typically gold. This doesn’t require any background knowledge or prior reading. This isn’t part of some grander connected universe, it’s just a story. 12 issues isn’t a very long commitment either which lends itself well to re-reads.
The more I think about it, The Fade Out is definitely a style over substance kind of story. I think the actual whodunnit aspect is really down-played and you spend more time with these characters and how they react to, and move on from, the crime. It’s also a very tragic story. This is LA in the ‘40s and it was not a good time for some people. You get to see how young hopeful girls get treated by shitty producers and agents. You see how drugs and money and alcohol turn people into self-destructive monsters who only focus on the next drink, the next party, the next hit. It’s like peeking behind the curtain and seeing how fucked up that world truly was, and probably still is. As destructive and toxic the movie industry is, it still lends itself to a pretty entertaining ride.
Brubaker’s writing of course is what’s keeping this story so engaging. He has truly mastered his craft and it’s great to see him just stretch some creative muscles. Between this and his other stories I think he’s carved himself a niche within comic books as one of the best crime storytellers and whatever ideas he comes up with are typically gold. This doesn’t require any background knowledge or prior reading. This isn’t part of some grander connected universe, it’s just a story. 12 issues isn’t a very long commitment either which lends itself well to re-reads.
The more I think about it, The Fade Out is definitely a style over substance kind of story. I think the actual whodunnit aspect is really down-played and you spend more time with these characters and how they react to, and move on from, the crime. It’s also a very tragic story. This is LA in the ‘40s and it was not a good time for some people. You get to see how young hopeful girls get treated by shitty producers and agents. You see how drugs and money and alcohol turn people into self-destructive monsters who only focus on the next drink, the next party, the next hit. It’s like peeking behind the curtain and seeing how fucked up that world truly was, and probably still is. As destructive and toxic the movie industry is, it still lends itself to a pretty entertaining ride.
dereksilva's review against another edition
3.0
The Fade Out first caught my eye in 2016 because I loved the idea of a noir in graphic novel format. To be clear, I am not particularly familiar with or particularly fond of noir. I just like the idea of bringing different kinds of stories to the funny book format. (And if it matters to you, I read Volume 1 of The Fade Out and then decided the series was worth a shot since it was only three volumes, so I got the deluxe edition.)
- Volume 1 was decent. It didn't suck me in or completely capture my imagination, but it was a solid enough start to convince me that volume two was worth reading (especially because the series is so short).
- Volume 2 was weak. It was slow and I never got into it. If this was a regular length series (any more than 12 issues), I would not have continued past Volume 2.
- Volume 3 was the fastest paced and I went through it quickly. It wrapped up the entire series well and in a way I would not have guessed.
- The extras in the Deluxe Edition didn't add anything for me. It was nice to see the cover art from all 12 issues, but the stories about old Hollywood and the writing process weren't particularly interesting or enlightening (which is a damn shame).
I would give three stars to Volumes 1 & 2 and maybe four stars to Volume 3. Overall, there just wasn't enough to make The Fade Out great. Actually, I would say the only great thing was the art, which was beautiful and really captured the 1940s Hollywood setting.
The last thing I'll say is that there were quite a few characters and I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to keep track of them (I am notoriously bad with names). I had no problems. Brubaker did well to avoid just throwing characters at me.