Kenya, vol 1: Apparitions

Kenya #1

by Rodolphe (Illustrator), Luiz Eduardo de Oliveira (Leo)

Kenya, 1947. A hunting expedition led by American writer John Remington makes a startling encounter, and then vanishes without a trace. Shortly afterwards, Katherine Austin, agent of the British Secret Intelligence Service, arrives in Mombasa. Her investigate a series of mysterious sightings and incidents, of which the disappearance of the Remington party could be the latest. Undercover as a teacher, courted by colleagues who may be working for competing secret services, she’s about to enter a whole new reality...

Genres: Bande Dessinée, Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Adventure, Comic Book, Mystery

47 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Rodolphe is the pen name for Rodolphe Daniel Jacquette. His works are primarily written in French.

Reviews

[Walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much I can say about this comic yet. It’s part 1 of a 5 part series and just the set up, but it looks promising.

[The_Mad_Swede · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having previously read large parts of Leo's phenomenal science fiction saga The Worlds of Aldebaran (which begins with Aldebaran 1: The Catastrophe ), I have been somewhat eager to check out his collaboration with Rodolphe: Kenya (and, potentially, its sequel series Namibia).

For the most part, unsurprisingly, set in Kenya, the story takes place in 1947 and involves mysterious happenings: a lost expedition and the sighting of strange animals, for instance. The story centres on Katherine Austin, who works for the British government and has been sent to investigate the strange matters.

All in all, it is a nice enough story, which balances the views of its time period (both in terms of colonial and patriarchal views) with a strong female lead who is both intelligent and resourceful. Still, it is not really anywhere near The Worlds of Aldebaran in terms of character gallery and narrative complexity, but I will nevertheless definitely be reading further volumes.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

   Il y a des personnages très désagréable, pas mal de misogynie et un courant d’enjeu sexuel. Au moins les deux premiers sont relatifs/particulières au fait que l’histoire déroule en 1947, mais pour le dernier, je sens un peu comme Leo et Rodolphe essaient de montrer Kathy comme une femme forte, libre de choix et dans sa sexualité, digne de son « prédécesseur » Kim Keller. Mais pour l’instant, elle, Grabble et les autres personnages ne m’inspirent pas trop, et on n’a que le tout début du mystère de l’apparition des créatures comme des dinosaures pour équilibrer l’affaire un tout petit peu. Ce tome, en effet, souffre de la maladie « présenter les personnages principales sans trop présenter l’histoire qui va tout lier ».
   Je ne sais même pas pourquoi je vais lire le deuxième tome, probablement parce que j’ai toute la série sous la main et je veux juste savoir si cette histoire des dinosaures va finir par remporter l’histoire ou pas. Si non, je ne continue pas après le deuxième tome.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice premise, a bit of Cold War mixed in with misbehaving colonials in Africa, with some dinosaurs and aliens thrown in. Somewhat spoilt by the rather cringeworthy sexual shenanigans and fan service. Not much happens in this first episode of a series, and the opening sequence is lifted straight from a Hemingway short story. So long as this is on Kindle Unlimited I might read on, but it’s not worth spending money.

[Krishnakumar Mohanasundaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling start to a story arc!!! We hooked up within the first few pages. The characters are drafted finely and the plain narrative helps with the pace it is to be read at...🔥

As a party of Americans into the deep forest of Congo encounter an other wordly animal and go missing, representatives from UK drop in as the guise of a teacher to pursue an investigation

At the same time, strange UFOs fly through the skies making the locals anxious and afraid..

Hopping on to the 2nd Volume!!

[kintanakely · Rating 3 out of 5]

J'aime toujours autant la manière dont Rodolphe et Léo racontent une histoire. Celle-ci est aussi intrigante que les précédentes même si cette fois plutôt ancré dans un pays existant et du coup moins dans la Science-Fiction que les livres précédents. Et pourtant le mystère est bien présent et bien la SF n'est pas loin. Hâte de lire la suite.

[Daniel Coste · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story and mystery is intriguing. But the character setup is kinda flat. The men are just going for the women and that's all their personality.
There is some palpable tension building up, but it needs more oomph. The second part helps carry the series further.
Also, I wish it wasn't aliens, but here we are.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great art.

Late 1940's international plot mixed with sci-fi might get cool.

Since when did Brits cover fully nude breasts in comics? I thought that was an American thing.

These thin episodes retail for $12 upon import- good thing for the bargain bin!

[Ancolie · Rating 2 out of 5]

C'est un peu daté...

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series of graphic novels.

[Melusine Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Très bonne série de Guerre Froide