A review by sambora
The Witcher Volume 3: Curse of Crows by Paul Tobin
2.0
This story is a Witcher classic. I mean that in a few ways, and none of them very good.
I read Curse Of Crows as part of [b:The Witcher Omnibus|51194331|The Witcher Omnibus|Paul Tobin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562032414l/51194331._SX50_SY75_.jpg|61398461].
Curse Of Crows is dark and mature in both tone and art, as per usual with stories from the Continent.
It is also a story we have seen many times before.
Here, again, we see the now renowned story of the King of Temeria - Foltest, and his incestuous relationship with his sister Adda. And Geralt; being hired to deal with the Striga that was borne of their cursed coupling.
This is not the main arc of this graphic novel, but it is leant on heavily as a backdrop and as a reference point.
And of course I know why it was used; because people are familiar with it, but as someone who has read the prose version and played the first game many times over within the last decade AND who has now watched the Nextflix show - this story is getting old. We didn't need a fourth rendition of this story in graphic novel format.
That is, of course, just my opinion. Maybe for those who are less familiar with the story will appreciate the reference slightly more. But me? I'm over it.
As for the main plot found here, I felt it rather hollow.
Using flashbacks to better stories and the excessive nudity of adult Ciri felt like the easiest (or laziest) way to please those who have only played the most recent video game.
There was also, somehow, a remarkable lack of swordplay or actually "Witchering".
Ciri punched some men, Yen did some teleportation, Geralt did some reminiscing and they all took plenty of baths.
It screams of fan-service, tick boxes and a very surface level understanding/appreciation of the characters.
Overview:
• Story: 1/5
- Lazy and uninspired.
• Art: 3/5
- The art quality took only a slight dip in quality from the others in the Omnibus.
• Colour: 2/5
- Standard. Nothing special or standout-ish.
Overall... 2 stars
This was, by far, the weakest graphic novel in the collection and I was disappointed that this was how the first omnibus came to an end.
_________________
Thank you for reading my review.
I'm not yet sure if I'll read any more Witcher graphic novels, but I feel more open to trying others if they are of a higher quality.
If anyone has any recommendations for graphic novels to try, let me know!
I hope you're all doing well and enjoying your current reads!
I read Curse Of Crows as part of [b:The Witcher Omnibus|51194331|The Witcher Omnibus|Paul Tobin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562032414l/51194331._SX50_SY75_.jpg|61398461].
Curse Of Crows is dark and mature in both tone and art, as per usual with stories from the Continent.
It is also a story we have seen many times before.
Here, again, we see the now renowned story of the King of Temeria - Foltest, and his incestuous relationship with his sister Adda. And Geralt; being hired to deal with the Striga that was borne of their cursed coupling.
This is not the main arc of this graphic novel, but it is leant on heavily as a backdrop and as a reference point.
And of course I know why it was used; because people are familiar with it, but as someone who has read the prose version and played the first game many times over within the last decade AND who has now watched the Nextflix show - this story is getting old. We didn't need a fourth rendition of this story in graphic novel format.
That is, of course, just my opinion. Maybe for those who are less familiar with the story will appreciate the reference slightly more. But me? I'm over it.
As for the main plot found here, I felt it rather hollow.
Using flashbacks to better stories and the excessive nudity of adult Ciri felt like the easiest (or laziest) way to please those who have only played the most recent video game.
There was also, somehow, a remarkable lack of swordplay or actually "Witchering".
Ciri punched some men, Yen did some teleportation, Geralt did some reminiscing and they all took plenty of baths.
It screams of fan-service, tick boxes and a very surface level understanding/appreciation of the characters.
Overview:
• Story: 1/5
- Lazy and uninspired.
• Art: 3/5
- The art quality took only a slight dip in quality from the others in the Omnibus.
• Colour: 2/5
- Standard. Nothing special or standout-ish.
Overall... 2 stars
This was, by far, the weakest graphic novel in the collection and I was disappointed that this was how the first omnibus came to an end.
_________________
Thank you for reading my review.
I'm not yet sure if I'll read any more Witcher graphic novels, but I feel more open to trying others if they are of a higher quality.
If anyone has any recommendations for graphic novels to try, let me know!
I hope you're all doing well and enjoying your current reads!