beccamariejo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tobin_elliott's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just a completely gorgeous adaptation of the Gaiman novel. I've never read Mike Carey's comic work before, but I'm a massive fan of Fabry's art, so when I saw this, I had to get it.
Carey brought just the right amount of wonder and awe to the dialogue, just as Gaiman does. And Fabry's art is fantastic enough to bring the wonder, yet realistic and detailed enough to make it feel like it's right beside our world.
Overall, just a really good effort from all the players, and a really enjoyable read.
Carey brought just the right amount of wonder and awe to the dialogue, just as Gaiman does. And Fabry's art is fantastic enough to bring the wonder, yet realistic and detailed enough to make it feel like it's right beside our world.
Overall, just a really good effort from all the players, and a really enjoyable read.
proffy's review
3.0
Richard Mayhew is in a rather dysfunctional relationship, being controlled by his girlfriend rather completely. But on the day he defies her and stops to help a mysterious woman, his life changes. Now he's in a strange place being pursued by dangerous men, and he's partially responsible for saving this new world.
When I bought this book, I didn't realize it was the graphic novel version of a full length Neil Gaiman book. Now, all I can think about is reading the actual book. Reviews indicate that this version is a pretty true adaptation with just a few plot points missing.
For some reason though, I wanted more when reading this. I like graphic novels; I appreciate the art work, the concise dialogue-based writing, but certain stories leave me thinking that the back story and further plot development are practically necessary. This is one of them. Perhaps my feeling of "something lacking" is a sign of how good the novel is...I want more.
When I bought this book, I didn't realize it was the graphic novel version of a full length Neil Gaiman book. Now, all I can think about is reading the actual book. Reviews indicate that this version is a pretty true adaptation with just a few plot points missing.
For some reason though, I wanted more when reading this. I like graphic novels; I appreciate the art work, the concise dialogue-based writing, but certain stories leave me thinking that the back story and further plot development are practically necessary. This is one of them. Perhaps my feeling of "something lacking" is a sign of how good the novel is...I want more.
jadebat's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thoroughlymodernreviewer's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
A really solid adaptation of Gaiman’s original text. Nine issues feels about right in terms of pacing. Things move briskly enough that you’re never bored without moving at such breakneck speed that you feel like you’re missing important plot points or character development. Sure, it’s nowhere near as in depth as the novel is, but it’s a deeply enjoyable read in its own right. I only wish Carey had done more with the decision to have Richard narrate the story. Perhaps Neverwhere isn’t the kind of story you could tell squarely from one point-of-view, but it would have made for an intriguing experiment had the comic tried to do so.
As far as the artwork goes, I’m of two opinions. On the one hand, the world Fabry creates is exactly as fantastical and otherworldly as one could hope for. It very much feels like this twisted, funhouse mirror reflection of the “real world”, London Above. But the character designs are where the book loses me a bit - particularly Door and the Marquis’. Your mileage may vary there, but I just wasn’t really a fan of the direction Fabry went with their designs.
On the whole, this adaptation of Neverwhere is a quick, enjoyable retelling of Gaiman’s original novel. It hits all the main plot points while fully embracing the uniqueness of being a comic book. It’s not a replacement for the novel, or for the original TV series. But as a companion piece, it’s absolutely delightful.
As far as the artwork goes, I’m of two opinions. On the one hand, the world Fabry creates is exactly as fantastical and otherworldly as one could hope for. It very much feels like this twisted, funhouse mirror reflection of the “real world”, London Above. But the character designs are where the book loses me a bit - particularly Door and the Marquis’. Your mileage may vary there, but I just wasn’t really a fan of the direction Fabry went with their designs.
On the whole, this adaptation of Neverwhere is a quick, enjoyable retelling of Gaiman’s original novel. It hits all the main plot points while fully embracing the uniqueness of being a comic book. It’s not a replacement for the novel, or for the original TV series. But as a companion piece, it’s absolutely delightful.
maddiiiiiie's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
metaylor1381's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's a nice artistic rendering of Gaiman's novel, but I found the illustration style wasn't really to my taste. Everyone looked very garish and ugly.
shea_proulx's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jonathonjones's review
4.0
I suspect that I would have been better off reading the novel, but this adaptation is good, too. Some of the drawings/outfits are oddly and distractingly sexualized, but the story is good and interesting. I wish we had more time to spend at the various locations and characters - instead, they are often left as intriguing mysteries. Possibly the novel has more in it.