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sakurafire's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Just wow. One of the best graphic novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Jordan Mechner penned a sensational epic, delightfully illustrated by Leuyen Pham and Alex Puvilland.
A little back story... About three years ago I picked up a copy of Prince of Persia, the graphic novel. Right next to it on the shelf was a copy of Solomon's Thieves, both by the same creators. I knew of Mechner, yet had not read his writing (heck, I played it if you count him writing code). I ended up enjoying Solomon's Thieves more, and waited for a sequel. And waited, and waited.
Thankfully First Second publishing decided on a birthday present for me, releasing Templar for me to, well, buy for myself.
First Second always amazes me with their releases, but this one deserves special mention. 450+ pages tightly bound in hardcover. Most publishers would have gone cheap, or God forbid paperback. Thank you for the extra effort.
Enough with the outside... how about what's inside the book? Some damn fine writing and art, that's what. I was thinking of a way to classify the story... a tragedy? Comedy? The book equivalent of a buddy film? All of the above? Mwchner crafted very human characters with hopes, aspirations, and flaws. Best of all, you cared for them right up the the end. I don't want to spoil much, so it's best to experience it for yourself.
I'll go ahead and say it. I really like Pham's art. Puvilland's color really does her inks justice. Pham designed characters with human traits and had them act out with whimsy. I devoured each panel and was in awe of the detail that I had seen. One of he double page spreads at the end made me gasp. I loved it.
The book was an enjoyable read. Do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a copy. As for me, I hope see see Mechner, Pham, and Puvilland back with a new exciting series soon, but not too soon... the three of you deserve a break.
A little back story... About three years ago I picked up a copy of Prince of Persia, the graphic novel. Right next to it on the shelf was a copy of Solomon's Thieves, both by the same creators. I knew of Mechner, yet had not read his writing (heck, I played it if you count him writing code). I ended up enjoying Solomon's Thieves more, and waited for a sequel. And waited, and waited.
Thankfully First Second publishing decided on a birthday present for me, releasing Templar for me to, well, buy for myself.
First Second always amazes me with their releases, but this one deserves special mention. 450+ pages tightly bound in hardcover. Most publishers would have gone cheap, or God forbid paperback. Thank you for the extra effort.
Enough with the outside... how about what's inside the book? Some damn fine writing and art, that's what. I was thinking of a way to classify the story... a tragedy? Comedy? The book equivalent of a buddy film? All of the above? Mwchner crafted very human characters with hopes, aspirations, and flaws. Best of all, you cared for them right up the the end. I don't want to spoil much, so it's best to experience it for yourself.
I'll go ahead and say it. I really like Pham's art. Puvilland's color really does her inks justice. Pham designed characters with human traits and had them act out with whimsy. I devoured each panel and was in awe of the detail that I had seen. One of he double page spreads at the end made me gasp. I loved it.
The book was an enjoyable read. Do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a copy. As for me, I hope see see Mechner, Pham, and Puvilland back with a new exciting series soon, but not too soon... the three of you deserve a break.
harlando's review against another edition
4.0
The Templars are very flexible subjects. In this book, they are the heroes, but they could just as easily be villains with a different set up. Making them the heroes plays on their martial virtues, and ignores that fact that they were vastly wealthy in a time of great poverty, got rich through their part in the conquest of the holy land, and were largely a reflection of medieval European society with leaders coming from the aristocracy and very little upward mobility.
This is a pretty engaging treasure-hunt-adventure. The characters are a little generic, but it’s still fun. The art was cartoonish, but it fit the story well and I liked it.
This is a pretty engaging treasure-hunt-adventure. The characters are a little generic, but it’s still fun. The art was cartoonish, but it fit the story well and I liked it.
remontoire's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
katnortonwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Pulpy. Pretty fun. I did like the ending even if it was rough on the ol’ emotions.
ayejaydee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
turtlesaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
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? No
4.5
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting look at the Crusades and knights Templar from inside. It truly read like a story, not a history lesson, although the author definitely did his research. There are source notes at the end, and I plan to look for them at the library.
The knights are presented as human with failings and moments of heroism. Greed is a major theme, with the cost of the Crusade putting the squeeze on everyone and the Templar's treasure seen as a plum to be plucked by those in power.
The art has a pleasant neutral to dark palette, and the frames are not too wordy, keeping the focus on the visual.
Great concept, and execution.
The knights are presented as human with failings and moments of heroism. Greed is a major theme, with the cost of the Crusade putting the squeeze on everyone and the Templar's treasure seen as a plum to be plucked by those in power.
The art has a pleasant neutral to dark palette, and the frames are not too wordy, keeping the focus on the visual.
Great concept, and execution.
kinx128's review against another edition
5.0
It is going to be very difficult to find the words to describe how many I love this book; but, I’m going to try. Everything about this book is amazing. From the story, to the characters, and to the powerful images, this is a perfect book. I found it to be incredibly rich in historical detail, both in the story and the illustrations. From the first page of the forward where Jordan Mechner compares the Knights Templar to Jedi Knights, I knew I was hooked.. After reading that, I could not put it down!
The story in Templar is very intense and fast-paced. You are watching men who have been tortured and forced to renounce everything they believe trying to survive with their honor. Mechner, Pham and Puvilland were able to capture the absolute horror of the demise of the Knights Templar. The illustrations powerfully depicted how the knights were forced to confess their alleged crimes through torture. The images are subtle but at the same time horrifying.
Throughout Templar, these surviving knights are struggling to redeem themselves to their beloved Order. The main character, Martin, continued to see ghostly, fallen knights that would lead him to his salvation. I found those images very powerful.
Templar is not all violence and gore. There is humor and a bit of romance as well. There were many times I was laughing at loud at some of the antics of the knights. I liked the use of humor to lessen some of foulness surrounding the characters. Along with the romance, there is a bit of a love triangle which also lessens the dark storyline. It is a very bittersweet love story.
Templar is such a unique read. I had never seen historical fiction in the graphic novel format. It was a truly amazing reading experience. I loved every page!
The story in Templar is very intense and fast-paced. You are watching men who have been tortured and forced to renounce everything they believe trying to survive with their honor. Mechner, Pham and Puvilland were able to capture the absolute horror of the demise of the Knights Templar. The illustrations powerfully depicted how the knights were forced to confess their alleged crimes through torture. The images are subtle but at the same time horrifying.
Throughout Templar, these surviving knights are struggling to redeem themselves to their beloved Order. The main character, Martin, continued to see ghostly, fallen knights that would lead him to his salvation. I found those images very powerful.
Templar is not all violence and gore. There is humor and a bit of romance as well. There were many times I was laughing at loud at some of the antics of the knights. I liked the use of humor to lessen some of foulness surrounding the characters. Along with the romance, there is a bit of a love triangle which also lessens the dark storyline. It is a very bittersweet love story.
Templar is such a unique read. I had never seen historical fiction in the graphic novel format. It was a truly amazing reading experience. I loved every page!
rbreade's review against another edition
This is a well-researched graphic novel set in France, 1307, at the time when the King of France outlawed and destroyed the Knights Templar, who were left to their bloody fate by their employer, the Pope. Mechner's command of the politics of the time is strong, and his story is riveting, with skillful threads and echoes from sources as diverse as Alexandre Dumas, Umberto Eco, Ocean's Eleven, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. His bibliography provides a road map to his source material, including maps and architectural drawing of Paris during the Middle Ages.
jkenna1990's review against another edition
5.0
This was amazing! This was one of the longer graphic novels that I've read recently, which was wonderful. The story was very good and easy to follow along. I would absolutely recommend this, especially if you like history.