jobot0's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
some_okie_dude27's review against another edition
This comic was very dark, brooding, and evocative, much like the original novels that inspired it. I had heard hearsay about this comic for a while now, since I first began to get into the doomed Melnibonean emperor and I'm happy to say that this comic was probably the most enjoyable take on the White Wolf since Moorcock's original novels.
The story from Blondel has a neat pace to it, I was a bit nervous about how the comic would move along considering its short length, but I found that it found a nice balance between pulp action and brooding mysticism and it moved along nicely without getting too bogged down or being too brisk. It certainly captured the spirit of the original Elric books if it were to do nothing else. I also appreciated some of the more horror based iconography that was in the book, which I found neatly tied into the depraved, vicious nature of the Melnibonean people.
But the real show-stealer was the art from Recht and Poli. The art is lush, stunning, and utterly delightful from the hand of two draughtsmen at the top of their form. I was constantly in awe and itching for more of their artwork as I continued to read through. While I did have issues with their depiction of Elric, I found that their depiction of Melnibone made up for it in spades, capturing the contradictory nature of the land that I always imagined, making it beautiful and elegant, while also decadent and repulsive at the same time. The look of the Melniboneans are also well handled, they didn't look quite human, but they seemed as if they were almost, but not quite like elves either, they were something entirely on their own.
While the plot was nicely paced and well told, I did wish that Blondel went a little deeper into Elric's psychology, I wanted more of the constant internal strife and conflict that Elric has in the Moorcock novels. I understand that this is an origin story of sorts, an introduction into the world of Melnibone as depicted by French comics, so perhaps I can excuse its rather thin characterization, but it can become a bit bothersome when it comes to the moments where you're supposed to be feeling for Elric and it doesn't always come together.
Michael Moorcock said that this is the best Elric work that wasn't by him, and I can't help but agree with him.
alexperc_92's review against another edition
4.0
Learning that the books are going to be adapted into a tv series I decided to research this series. The setting is the epic point of high fantasy but I draw a big, wide line on the incest part.
agramugl's review against another edition
4.0
I have a complex relationship with Elric of Melnibone. On one hand, the lavish, dark world Michael Moorcock originally conceived is gloriously morbid. Decadence, violence, and nigh-Lovecraftian horror fills the pages of the Elric stories, and, in short doses, they're enjoyable enough. Problem is that, beyond Elric, the characters simply aren't that interesting. Beyond, of course, Elric's backstory as the destroyer of Melnibone.
The short stories would go beyond that and focus on Elric fighting monsters and horrors, but this two-part comic series focuses on the core of what makes Elric a compelling staple of the fantasy genre. Reading it revived my interest in a character who, in all honesty, I've kind of dismissed as a cool idea with a weak execution.
Warning, though. This is a short graphic novel, and is incomplete without its sequel. I'll be reading that shortly. Also, if violence and sexuality offend you, you probably better not read this. Some of the gore borders on Hellraiser levels of gruesome and sadistic.
The short stories would go beyond that and focus on Elric fighting monsters and horrors, but this two-part comic series focuses on the core of what makes Elric a compelling staple of the fantasy genre. Reading it revived my interest in a character who, in all honesty, I've kind of dismissed as a cool idea with a weak execution.
Warning, though. This is a short graphic novel, and is incomplete without its sequel. I'll be reading that shortly. Also, if violence and sexuality offend you, you probably better not read this. Some of the gore borders on Hellraiser levels of gruesome and sadistic.
daybreak's review against another edition
3.0
Ok that one was special. I have never read the book series this is based on but my interest got caught by the royalty + fantasy setting.
At the very first page of this graphic novel there is a little dialogue as to how this kingdom is "the most decadent and violent" of all the kingdoms. Typical fantasy am I right? Not.
For once, this was actually true. We are not talking normal fantasy violence and decadence here : this is some other level shit! Within the first 5 pages I was actually literally shocked by the gore.
I don't know if it's because I haven't read the books so I don't get why these acts are being carried out (casually gouging eyes, slicing people open in some rituals, piercing bodies and drinking blood...) but wtf. Since I don't get the meaning of the actions or the "culture" of the characters (since they are not humans), I got the feeling that the violence was purely gratuitious and for shock value. I believe reading the book may have dealt with that but delved in unknowing...
I was actually so disgusted and horrified by some panels (I did the sorry mistake of looking at the - horrid - details) that I considered not finishing the volume. But I did go on.
Aside from the violence, the plot in itself is quite interesting and engaging but my enjoyment was harshly lessened by the dreadful show.
At the very first page of this graphic novel there is a little dialogue as to how this kingdom is "the most decadent and violent" of all the kingdoms. Typical fantasy am I right? Not.
For once, this was actually true. We are not talking normal fantasy violence and decadence here : this is some other level shit! Within the first 5 pages I was actually literally shocked by the gore.
I don't know if it's because I haven't read the books so I don't get why these acts are being carried out (casually gouging eyes, slicing people open in some rituals, piercing bodies and drinking blood...) but wtf. Since I don't get the meaning of the actions or the "culture" of the characters (since they are not humans), I got the feeling that the violence was purely gratuitious and for shock value. I believe reading the book may have dealt with that but delved in unknowing...
I was actually so disgusted and horrified by some panels (I did the sorry mistake of looking at the - horrid - details) that I considered not finishing the volume. But I did go on.
Aside from the violence, the plot in itself is quite interesting and engaging but my enjoyment was harshly lessened by the dreadful show.
otherwyrld's review against another edition
3.0
I love the works of Michael Moorcock, and his Eternal Champion series in particular. I love reading graphic novel adaptations of his works (I have some beautiful P. Craig Russell comic versions of Elric, for example). So when I heard that there was a new adaptation coming out that has been praised to the skies by the author I just had to buy the first volume, even though I just don't buy books anymore (I'm trying to declutter and get rid of a lot of my book collection)
This truly is a beautifully rendered book - the art is exquisite and the story well told (I really must reread these books someday). And yet, I was left unsatisfied.
The problem is, at just over 50 pages of story, the thing is just too damn short. I came wanting a banquet, and ended up with Nouvelle Cuisine. It left me having to nibble at the book rather than feasting on it. As this is only part one of the story (part 2 is published next year), we hardly got anything like the full novel.
All this is a great shame because as I said, it was a great piece of work but at most I can give it 3 1/2 stars. It remains to be seen if I buy part 2.
This truly is a beautifully rendered book - the art is exquisite and the story well told (I really must reread these books someday). And yet, I was left unsatisfied.
The problem is, at just over 50 pages of story, the thing is just too damn short. I came wanting a banquet, and ended up with Nouvelle Cuisine. It left me having to nibble at the book rather than feasting on it. As this is only part one of the story (part 2 is published next year), we hardly got anything like the full novel.
All this is a great shame because as I said, it was a great piece of work but at most I can give it 3 1/2 stars. It remains to be seen if I buy part 2.
annasirius's review against another edition
4.0
4.3 stars
I had seen a previous graphic novel adaption of Moorcock's Elric whose style completely put me off, but when I came upon this book, the art immediately resonated with me. It's beautifully done: dark, menacing, and dynamic.
The story wasn't outstanding but it brought Moorcock's world to life in a way that his own stories haven't managed to do in my mind.
I had seen a previous graphic novel adaption of Moorcock's Elric whose style completely put me off, but when I came upon this book, the art immediately resonated with me. It's beautifully done: dark, menacing, and dynamic.
The story wasn't outstanding but it brought Moorcock's world to life in a way that his own stories haven't managed to do in my mind.
nagia's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, bleak and cruel it stays true to the spirit of the book and complements it. The colors were rich, the images were disturbing, reflecting the casual cruelty of the Melnibonéans that was hard to convey through the narration, and it visualized the paradoxical world of Moorcock. I really liked it but I think I had an advantage having read the book first.