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woodsbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
The third volume in the Blacksad comic book series keeps following the private detective John Blacksad, who finds himself working as “bodyguard and cashier” for Hewitt Mandeline, a successful gambler. Meanwhile, Otto Lieber, a highly regarded nuclear physicist, went to the city to attend and participate in a conference on atomic energy. Between the circle that surrounds him are Samuel Gotfield and his beautifully disturbing wife, Alma Mayer – a name reminiscent of the term «Alma mater» which, before its modern use as an allegory for the university or someone who is intellectual, it was an honorific title for several Mother Goddesses and, later, in Catholicism, it also served as a reference to the Virgin Mary.
With nothing to do, Blacksad decides to meet Otto, who had been his teacher, to remember the good old days and rekindle the deep bonds of friendship. Unfortunately or not, he ends up bumping into Alma, with whom he maintains a strange relationship of attraction, after a first rough encounter. John Blacksad becomes involved in a web of conspiracies, involving a conflict between Christians and atheist communists.
With the narrative set in the mid-1950s, McCarthyism is approached, referring to a period of intense anti-communist patrols, political persecution and disrespect for civil rights in the United States. The term was originally used to criticize the actions of Republican Joseph McCarthy, represented as Senator Gallo in Blacksad – Red Soul.
In the background, the fear of a nuclear holocaust and the phobia of the cold war, but also a reference to Adolf Hitler, portrayed as a cat, probably in homage to Art Spiegelman's Maus comic strip. Allen Ginsberg and the poem The Howl, from the book of poetry that made him known, are also referred to, as the American poet of the Beat generation is represented by Greenberg, “the lunatic poet”. Mark Rothko, the North American painter, of Latvian and Jewish origin, is also present, being represented by Sergei Litvak, author of The Soul of the World, a painting glimpsed in the first square on page 7.
Juanjo Guarnido's art continues to prove itself as one of the great triumphs of the series: in this third volume the drawing of physical struggles and explicit nudity stands out. The colour palette varies, throughout the narrative, between muddy tones and more vivid tones, adapting to the environment of each vignette or series of vignettes. The great attention to detail can be seen particularly in the illustration of spaces, such as the art gallery. Facial expressions are another strong point, giving credibility to the characters, who are as charismatic as the protagonist himself.
The story addresses the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union and how it is possible to ensure the balance of power between the two superpowers, both in possession of nuclear secrets. References to politicians, poets, painters and music enrich the narrative. Having History as a background lends credibility to the plot and the illustration continues to surprise and satisfy. Another incredible comic book from the Blacksad series, which promises to keep surprising us all.
With nothing to do, Blacksad decides to meet Otto, who had been his teacher, to remember the good old days and rekindle the deep bonds of friendship. Unfortunately or not, he ends up bumping into Alma, with whom he maintains a strange relationship of attraction, after a first rough encounter.
Spoiler
After Otto Lieber, a member of a left-wing group of intellectuals called The Twelve Apostles and a candidate for the Nobel Prize, is the victim of attempted murder,With the narrative set in the mid-1950s, McCarthyism is approached, referring to a period of intense anti-communist patrols, political persecution and disrespect for civil rights in the United States. The term was originally used to criticize the actions of Republican Joseph McCarthy, represented as Senator Gallo in Blacksad – Red Soul.
In the background, the fear of a nuclear holocaust and the phobia of the cold war, but also a reference to Adolf Hitler, portrayed as a cat, probably in homage to Art Spiegelman's Maus comic strip. Allen Ginsberg and the poem The Howl, from the book of poetry that made him known, are also referred to, as the American poet of the Beat generation is represented by Greenberg, “the lunatic poet”. Mark Rothko, the North American painter, of Latvian and Jewish origin, is also present, being represented by Sergei Litvak, author of The Soul of the World, a painting glimpsed in the first square on page 7.
Juanjo Guarnido's art continues to prove itself as one of the great triumphs of the series: in this third volume the drawing of physical struggles and explicit nudity stands out. The colour palette varies, throughout the narrative, between muddy tones and more vivid tones, adapting to the environment of each vignette or series of vignettes. The great attention to detail can be seen particularly in the illustration of spaces, such as the art gallery. Facial expressions are another strong point, giving credibility to the characters, who are as charismatic as the protagonist himself.
The story addresses the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union and how it is possible to ensure the balance of power between the two superpowers, both in possession of nuclear secrets. References to politicians, poets, painters and music enrich the narrative. Having History as a background lends credibility to the plot and the illustration continues to surprise and satisfy. Another incredible comic book from the Blacksad series, which promises to keep surprising us all.
asiia95's review against another edition
5.0
І все ж таки не розумію, як у світ різнокольорових тварин можна було протягнути класичний расизм. Хутро у всіх різне. В історії різні види тварин та птахів. Досить мало саме тих, хто з білим хутром/пір'ям. Або ж Блексед вештається саме по таким районам.
Ці книги, вони не тільки детектив, вони про чесність. І те, що вона приховує
Ці книги, вони не тільки детектив, вони про чесність. І те, що вона приховує
theopanov's review against another edition
5.0
Разкошен трети брой! Историята тук ми хареса повече, отколкото тази, която бе разказана в първия, както и съпътстващите я илюстрации – изумително красиви.
luana420's review against another edition
4.0
A slightly more complex plot than usual kind of supercedes the bounds of the single-issue format, but kudos to Canales for attempting a red scare conspiracy thriller whose apocalyptic implication nevertheless never quiiite hit as well as they should, as well as the ending wrapping perhaps too neata bow on things.
Alma Mayer all-timer furry waifu??? perhaps??
Alma Mayer all-timer furry waifu??? perhaps??
mephistofelix's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
battleofevermore's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
krisz's review against another edition
5.0
I think #3 was almost there, but #4 and 5 are really-really good.
In the first two books the authors are more like finding their way in their own universe.
In the first two books the authors are more like finding their way in their own universe.
lukemosher's review against another edition
Blacksad continues to dazzle me. This one is a cold war/blacklist story, lots of fun.