violetlily13's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ceeelizabethreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
joshgauthier's review against another edition
4.0
Finding surprising parallels between Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and modern social issues, LaValle's "Destroyer" is not only a story about technology and morality - but it also finds great depth in the age-old examination of the monsters we create and the monsters we ourselves become.
In this graphic novel, science-fiction and monsters meet with timely themes of race and gender conflict. Violence and loss of love have the potential to shape a person, and LaValle's story embraces the tension between rage and hope. Merging social commentary with effective fiction is a difficult balance, and "Destroyer" does not always manage this perfectly - but it succeeds much more often than it stumbles.
Often with simplicity, "Destroyer" draws the reader's attention to immediate questions about technology and social advancement, braiding Shelley's source material with modern themes and futuristic possibility. The result is strong, both as a graphic novel and as a piece of science fiction. LaValle's goals for this story are bold, and for the most part, he and the rest of the creative team achieve them with skill - creating a story that is engaging on the page, but that also turns an eye to the social questions we find ourselves facing today.
In this graphic novel, science-fiction and monsters meet with timely themes of race and gender conflict. Violence and loss of love have the potential to shape a person, and LaValle's story embraces the tension between rage and hope. Merging social commentary with effective fiction is a difficult balance, and "Destroyer" does not always manage this perfectly - but it succeeds much more often than it stumbles.
Often with simplicity, "Destroyer" draws the reader's attention to immediate questions about technology and social advancement, braiding Shelley's source material with modern themes and futuristic possibility. The result is strong, both as a graphic novel and as a piece of science fiction. LaValle's goals for this story are bold, and for the most part, he and the rest of the creative team achieve them with skill - creating a story that is engaging on the page, but that also turns an eye to the social questions we find ourselves facing today.
alyssalizarraga's review against another edition
4.0
While the summary of this book describes it as a modern re-telling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, I would argue that LaValle takes it one meta step further. Destroyer is set in a world where Frankenstein’s monster is fact rather than fiction, and the consequences of both the creature himself and the consciousness behind his creation are just as real. The book follows a grieving scientist as she grapples with the losses in her life and uses her genius to fight the prejudices, physical and mental decay, and brutality that conspire to take everything away from her.
This book had one of the most captivating opening sequences that I’ve ever read (seen? I don’t know the language of graphic novels). There was something so unsettling about the visual combination of human gore and mechanical destruction that gave LaValle’s story a deep sense of gruesomeness. This book took me more than one read to really grasp, and I’m still not sure I understood all of the relationships and the timeline of the intertwining storylines. Another few chapters or volumes of this story would be greatly welcome. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes they could have seen Frankenstein’s monster learn about the iPhone and battle a sentient Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robot.
This book had one of the most captivating opening sequences that I’ve ever read (seen? I don’t know the language of graphic novels). There was something so unsettling about the visual combination of human gore and mechanical destruction that gave LaValle’s story a deep sense of gruesomeness. This book took me more than one read to really grasp, and I’m still not sure I understood all of the relationships and the timeline of the intertwining storylines. Another few chapters or volumes of this story would be greatly welcome. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes they could have seen Frankenstein’s monster learn about the iPhone and battle a sentient Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robot.
soundsgay_imin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jandrablooms's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
amandadevoursbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Frankenstien's Monster awakens in the Arctic. A broken-down, burnt out scientist is perfecting her next experiment. When it works, her son is brought back. This places him in the middle of a tug a war between his mother's old boss, his mother, and the monster.
I loved the art. I loved the story. Some of the scenes felt disconnected and unclear. I wish this had been a 3 series arc.
I loved the art. I loved the story. Some of the scenes felt disconnected and unclear. I wish this had been a 3 series arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Toxic relationship, Child death, Racism, Murder, and Gore
vampfang's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gladduck's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not a super fun read, did it for school as a revision of Frankenstein. Happy I read it though
jayreadsthings's review
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Good concept, but I think I would have enjoyed it more as a book or maybe a longer form comic series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Child death, Death, Animal death, and Police brutality