leland_hw's review
4.0
This is a neat little Dresden story. Really short, but I guess that's okay for a graphic novel. I really loved the art. It was nice having a visual clue about some of the spells that Harry uses. (Yes, I remember that there was a tv show)
I'm more hooked on these Dresden books with each installment.
I'm more hooked on these Dresden books with each installment.
stormlightreader's review
3.5
Another Dresden instalment with the prodecural feel to it, and a pretty simple case at the centre. A fun story, but I would've liked a bit more from the female character that spends the majority of the book with Harry and more of Murphy would've been good, too.
schnoebs13's review
3.0
3.75⭐️
Set prior to Storm Front, Dresden is taking on one of the smaller cases the Chicago PD has called him in for. What looks like an animal attack at the Lincoln Park Zoo quickly turns into a very interesting supernatural mystery. Filled with ancient creatures and crazy magic, Dresden will have his hands full protecting himself and the zoo creatures from what’s at stake.
This was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed having a better visualizes of what these characters looked like. Getting some more general details on the characters in the cover gallery at the end was great and I continue to enjoy watching Dresden do what he can to protect the innocent, whether that be human or animal.
Set prior to Storm Front, Dresden is taking on one of the smaller cases the Chicago PD has called him in for. What looks like an animal attack at the Lincoln Park Zoo quickly turns into a very interesting supernatural mystery. Filled with ancient creatures and crazy magic, Dresden will have his hands full protecting himself and the zoo creatures from what’s at stake.
This was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed having a better visualizes of what these characters looked like. Getting some more general details on the characters in the cover gallery at the end was great and I continue to enjoy watching Dresden do what he can to protect the innocent, whether that be human or animal.
anubis9's review
4.0
A nice quick Dresden story that is well worth reading for Dresden fans. It was interesting to see a visualization of Dresden that Butcher was directly involved with.
jkenna90's review
5.0
This story was centered around the Chicago zoo and was really good! I'm hoping the library has more of these when I go tomorrow
mjfmjfmjf's review
3.0
A pretty straight conversion from text to graphic novel. Not bad writing, not bad art. Dresden and Murphy should both have been thinner. Dresden should have been taller. Magic was handled pretty well and story was not a bad one. The Blue Beetle should have been way more battered. All in all not a bad start. 3.5 of 5.
weaselweader's review
5.0
A fabulous, entertaining addition to the Dresden Files universe!
Harry Dresden is a hapless, down on his luck wizard. In fact, he's the only licensed wizard in the Chicago phone book. Business isn't exactly brisk so from time to time he acts as a consultant with the Chicago Police Department when the cases drift out of the mundane and into the realm of the paranormal. When Karrin Murphy, one of Chicago's finest, is called upon to investigate a brutal mauling at the Lincoln Park Zoo that left way too many weird questions from left field unanswered, she knew it was time to call on Harry's unique skills. One look at the crime scene was all that Dresden needed to realize that powerful black magic was at work.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is an enjoyable graphic novel and a welcome extension (a prequel, actually) to the Dresden Files, a series that almost defies genre classification. While Harry Dresden assumes the role of the angst-ridden, hard-boiled detective with the self-sufficient, anti-authority attitude reminiscent of a John Corey or Harry Bosch, he's also a bit of a laughable bumbler. We've got fantasy, blended with comedy, the paranormal, cozy mystery, thriller and even a touch of heart-warming romance from time to time.
As with any venture into the paranormal, a certain suspension of disbelief is required. But the willing reader will reap abundant rewards - strong character development; gritty, realistic, easy-flowing, natural dialogue that has lots of lightweight comedic moments; good guys and bad guys that will evoke strong reactions; smiles, chuckles and laughs throughout; a new supernatural universe complete with rules governing the use of magic and an over-riding White Council, the government overseeing the appropriate use of magic as it were; a convincing glimpse at the criminal mind's twisted interpretation of honour and respect; and an enjoyable tale that will provide a few hours of pure entertainment.
Illustrator Adrian Syaf's art is first rate and, in an introduction, author Jim Butcher acknowledged that Syaf's visions of the characters were bang-on with the mental perception of the characters that up until now had only existed in Butcher's mind. I expect that should be interpreted as a compliment to both Jim Butcher's skills at narrative description and character development as well as Syaf's artistic abilities.
Even if WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE can't lay any great claims to literary merit, it sure is fun and a fabulous way to while away a couple of easy-going reading hours. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
Harry Dresden is a hapless, down on his luck wizard. In fact, he's the only licensed wizard in the Chicago phone book. Business isn't exactly brisk so from time to time he acts as a consultant with the Chicago Police Department when the cases drift out of the mundane and into the realm of the paranormal. When Karrin Murphy, one of Chicago's finest, is called upon to investigate a brutal mauling at the Lincoln Park Zoo that left way too many weird questions from left field unanswered, she knew it was time to call on Harry's unique skills. One look at the crime scene was all that Dresden needed to realize that powerful black magic was at work.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is an enjoyable graphic novel and a welcome extension (a prequel, actually) to the Dresden Files, a series that almost defies genre classification. While Harry Dresden assumes the role of the angst-ridden, hard-boiled detective with the self-sufficient, anti-authority attitude reminiscent of a John Corey or Harry Bosch, he's also a bit of a laughable bumbler. We've got fantasy, blended with comedy, the paranormal, cozy mystery, thriller and even a touch of heart-warming romance from time to time.
As with any venture into the paranormal, a certain suspension of disbelief is required. But the willing reader will reap abundant rewards - strong character development; gritty, realistic, easy-flowing, natural dialogue that has lots of lightweight comedic moments; good guys and bad guys that will evoke strong reactions; smiles, chuckles and laughs throughout; a new supernatural universe complete with rules governing the use of magic and an over-riding White Council, the government overseeing the appropriate use of magic as it were; a convincing glimpse at the criminal mind's twisted interpretation of honour and respect; and an enjoyable tale that will provide a few hours of pure entertainment.
Illustrator Adrian Syaf's art is first rate and, in an introduction, author Jim Butcher acknowledged that Syaf's visions of the characters were bang-on with the mental perception of the characters that up until now had only existed in Butcher's mind. I expect that should be interpreted as a compliment to both Jim Butcher's skills at narrative description and character development as well as Syaf's artistic abilities.
Even if WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE can't lay any great claims to literary merit, it sure is fun and a fabulous way to while away a couple of easy-going reading hours. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
letsreadwithcats's review
3.0
Fun with attractive artwork that matched the characters I have come to know through the novels. The only detractor was the short length (not enough Harry!) and the fact that there really wasn't much "mystery" as it was pretty evident who the killer was from the very beginning. It was good as a short story though, and has piqued my interested in reading the graphic novel version of Storm Front.
hj22's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
renpuspita's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first time I read Jim Butcher's book, and his famous series Dresden Files. Welcome to the Jungle is a good introduction for those who not familiar with Mr Butcher's work and being a manga/comic fans myself I really enjoy this. The story is about a killer is loose in a zoo, and Lt Murphy from Chicago Police Department believe there's something unnatural behind this. So she hired Harry Dresden, a real wizard extraordinnaire to handle the problem. Harry begin his investigation and found an old cult that collect animal's blood and plan to collect the last animal, a gorilla named Moe.
The artwork is good and eye catching. Its a compliment since mostly I don't like American style that seems too harsh and always prefer manga. Love how the artist picture Harry. He look... not handsome but he sure look more than that. With those scruff, hmmm ;). This graphic novel conviced me to read more about Harry Dresden's story. Can't wait :)
The artwork is good and eye catching. Its a compliment since mostly I don't like American style that seems too harsh and always prefer manga. Love how the artist picture Harry. He look... not handsome but he sure look more than that. With those scruff, hmmm ;). This graphic novel conviced me to read more about Harry Dresden's story. Can't wait :)