robin_dh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sisteray's review against another edition
2.0
The art is gorgeous, and it is packed with fun ideas, but the writing is a mess. Tons of exposition, and yet the storytelling is muddy and confusing. Lots of stuff happens, and much of it is conceptually cool, but it is difficult to really care about any of it as there is little to no focus. Everyone just kind of runs around and does stuff, mostly getting killed in the process. The results are tons of disposable characters (that look remarkably similar) that just kind of randomly appear. Quite disappointing.
hollyevaallen's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
kirstiecat's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so glad that this was finally translated from the French and made available for sale in the US. I found this at Quimby's in Chicago, which I go to for all my comic needs and it includes Pterror Over Paris and The Eiffel Tower Demon. It's set in Paris 1911 when a Pterodactyl in a museum comes to life and it's full of alot of classic devices that make this niche topic quirky and lovable. In some ways, it's a classic detective story with all of these bizarre elements thrown in...who is controlling the monsters, mistaken identity, framing of the wrong person, etc. all are at play but it's still creative and enchanting. I would really like to see the film done based on the graphic novel but sadly it's unavailable in the US right now. Sad face.
ubalstecha's review against another edition
3.0
Adele Blanc-Sec is an adventurer, writer, con-artist and all around bad-ass. She ends up in Paris hunting for a Pterodactyl that is killing people. Then she stumbles across a Babylonian cult that is killing people. All through this adventure, she is dodging people who are trying to kill her.
A good adventure that suffers from too much dialogue in a panel. Author Jasques Tardi could have improved the pacing of this adventure by either drawing more panels to spread the dialogue out or cutting down on the dialogue. This glut of dialogue is also partially due to the work being translated from French and the French BD tradition of long exposition in dialogue.
A good adventure that suffers from too much dialogue in a panel. Author Jasques Tardi could have improved the pacing of this adventure by either drawing more panels to spread the dialogue out or cutting down on the dialogue. This glut of dialogue is also partially due to the work being translated from French and the French BD tradition of long exposition in dialogue.
librarianguish's review against another edition
3.0
A bit hard to follow, but entertaining. Great artwork.
crowyhead's review against another edition
4.0
Misplaced this for a while, so it took me longer than usual to finish.
This is an entertaining read, in some ways a forerunner of recent steampunk and gas lamp fantasy. The stories are amusing and intentionally a bit baroque. My favorite thing about this book is the constant look of determination on Adele's face. I also dig this bit about the series inception, courtesy of Wikipedia:
"A survey of popular series demonstrated an abundance of strong male protagonists but women in the lead role represented only by, on the one hand, the ingenuous Bécassine and, on the other, the primarily sexual Barbarella; thus, he sought to differentiate his series by centring it on a heroine every bit the equal of these other comics' heroes."
Neat!
This is an entertaining read, in some ways a forerunner of recent steampunk and gas lamp fantasy. The stories are amusing and intentionally a bit baroque. My favorite thing about this book is the constant look of determination on Adele's face. I also dig this bit about the series inception, courtesy of Wikipedia:
"A survey of popular series demonstrated an abundance of strong male protagonists but women in the lead role represented only by, on the one hand, the ingenuous Bécassine and, on the other, the primarily sexual Barbarella; thus, he sought to differentiate his series by centring it on a heroine every bit the equal of these other comics' heroes."
Neat!
frasersimons's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Published in ‘76, you really do need to sort of be aware of what graphic novels were like at the time, I think. The plot is completely secondary to shocking twists and turns no one could see coming. Nowadays we chalk that up to bad plotting and, generally, let’s be honest, the older comics are sort of known for bad writing. Bombastic. Not exactly high lit. But it’s fun and it’s almost always steeped in social commentary.
This is no different. We are told very little about anyone, including Adéle herself, it’s just a whole lot of wild stuff about psychics and prehistoric creatures and murders and double crossings. It’s just fun. But to top it off, though, the artwork is just staggeringly good. Far better than what most modern comics produce. Old Paris and the unusual colour choices, soaked in 70s aesthetic. Really love the style. And very happy I tracked down a copy because it’s completely sold out through here (in Canada). I hope they’ll go beyond the first two volumes, but doesn’t seem like they will. It’s been ages since that second one was published.
This is no different. We are told very little about anyone, including Adéle herself, it’s just a whole lot of wild stuff about psychics and prehistoric creatures and murders and double crossings. It’s just fun. But to top it off, though, the artwork is just staggeringly good. Far better than what most modern comics produce. Old Paris and the unusual colour choices, soaked in 70s aesthetic. Really love the style. And very happy I tracked down a copy because it’s completely sold out through here (in Canada). I hope they’ll go beyond the first two volumes, but doesn’t seem like they will. It’s been ages since that second one was published.
shelleyanderson4127's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this respected graphic novel. I really did. But I couldn't. Flying dinosaurs in 19th century Paris? Please.
bowienerd_82's review against another edition
3.0
The art is lovely and the whole bizarre universe is quite fantastic, but I found the story hard to follow at times, largely because it was nigh-on impossible for me to differentiate between all the male characters who looked almost exactly the same, and who didn't have much in the way of defining character moments.
But still, well worth the read, and I'll definitely check out the next volume.
But still, well worth the read, and I'll definitely check out the next volume.