Undertaker - Volume 1 - The Gold Eater

Undertaker #1

by Xavier Dorison

Undertaker Jonas Crow is charged with transporting the coffin of an ex-miner become millionaire back to the mining vein that made his fortune. The funeral should have been a calm affair, but there's an unexpected turn of on the eve of his death, Joe Cusco swallowed all his gold, so as to carry it with him for all eternity. Unfortunately, the secret was leaked, provoking the fury of all the miners of Anoki City. They can't just leave such a fortune to be buried while they're sweating their souls away in the mining shafts! As Jonas says, "death never comes alone..."

Genres: Comics, Bande Dessinée, Graphic Novels, Westerns, Historical Fiction, France, Graphic Novels Comics

Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2015

About the author

Xavier Dorison est né en 1972 à Paris et passe trois années en école de commerce, où il organise le festival BD des Grandes Écoles, puis travaille chez Barclays Corp. Dès 1997, il écrit le premier tome du Troisième Testament, série co-scénarisé et dessiné par Alex Alice qui remporte un succès immédiat. Il publie ensuite deux séries aux Humanoïdes Associés : Prophet avec Matthieu Lauffray et Sanctuaire avec Christophe Bec. Il co-scénarise, avec Fabien Nury, le film Brigades du Tigre, qui sera également adapté en bande dessinée aux éditions Glénat avec Jean-Yves Delitte au dessin. Il co-scénarise, toujours avec Fabien Nury, le western fantastique W.E.S.T. mis en image par Christian Rossi. Et lance début 2007 une fresque pirate : Long John Silver. En 2008, il crée la série Les Sentinelles et participe au projet XIII Mystery, en scénarisant l'album sur La Mangouste. En 2008 également, il écrit Le Syndrome d'Abel pour son comparse Marazano, de retour au dessin. En septembre 2010, il s’associe à nouveau avec Alex Alice et commence la publication de l’antésuite du Troisième Testament, intitulée Julius, toujours chez Glénat. En mars 2012, paraît chez Dargaud le premier tome d’Asgard, série dans l’univers des vikings, dessinée par Ralph Meyer. En 2013 paraîtra chez Glénat une série coécrite avec son frère Guillaume Dorison.

Reviews

[Urbon Adamsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

PT O autor de Castelo dos Animais e Long John Silver traz-nos, desta vez, um western.

Este parece ser um western mais moderno. Não possui a mesma crueza que encontramos em Duke, de Hermann, ou em Bouncer, de Jodorowsky.

Aqui, o protagonista é um agente funerário — uma personagem envolta em mistério e com um sentido de humor apurado.

E este western não vive apenas de tiroteios. Há um enredo verdadeiramente envolvente que se vai desenvolvendo ao longo das páginas e que revelará também mais informações sobre quem é este enigmático agente funerário.

Uma história enriquecida por um elenco de personagens secundárias cativantes.

Um início sólido e promissor para esta série.

--

EN The writer of Animal Castle and Long John Silver brings us, this time, a Western.

This one feels like a more modern take on the genre. It doesn’t carry the same raw edge you find in Hermann’s Duke or Jodorowsky’s Bouncer.

Here, the protagonist is an undertaker — a character wrapped in mystery and blessed with a sharp sense of humour.

And this Western isn’t driven solely by gunfights. There’s a genuinely engaging plot unfolding, gradually revealing more about the enigmatic undertaker at its centre.

A story enriched by a cast of compelling supporting characters.

A solid and promising start to the series.

[Metodi Markov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Обещаващо начало на уестърн комикс поредица, изградена по всички канони на жанра!

Историята е добра, рисунките отлични - истинско удоволствие е за ценителите на интересни приключенски истории.

P.S. Езикът използван е на нормално ниво и комиксът е подходящ за изучаващи френски език начинаещи.

[Koen Claeys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Als een album wordt omschreven als een goede mainstream-strip word ik al wantrouwig. Zal het weer zo'n album zijn 'dat best meevalt' ? Soms verwijt ik stripfanaten een gebrek aan een kritische houding, als er al een mooi getekende sexy madam in zit is men vaak al tevreden. 'De Goudvreter' is een strip die meer om het lijf heeft dan wat actie met een snuifje vrouwelijk schoon. Dit leest als een uitstekende spaghettiwestern à la Sergio Leone : een sterk verhaal vol mysterie, geweld, spanning, zwarte humor en wat erotiek. Het scenario van Dorison (Long John Silver, Asgard, ...) is van zeer hoog niveau. Ik heb ook niks dan lof voor het realistisch ogende tekenwerk van Ralph Meyer (Black Page, Asgard, Een Wolkeloze Toekomst,...) : om duimen en vingers bij af te likken, elke pagina etaleert een groot talent.
Dorison heeft naar eigen zeggen voor de volgende tien albums al de synopsissen ingediend. Dat dit het begin mag wezen van een langlopende kwaliteitsreeks waarvan 'De Dans van de Gieren', het tweede album, niet lang op zich zal laten wachten.

[Bogdan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an Awesome graphic novel!

Usually I`m not a big fan of the western setup, but here the story has a lot of upside downs and surprises. So it was impossible not to be hooked until the non decisive ending.

Also, I liked a lot the style of the drawings and the overall dark tones that added a stronger feeling to the whole story.

I just hope that the second volume will be as better as this one.

Highly recommended!

[Bus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy buen dibujo, personaje principal carismático y de interés, historia con ritmo, cruda, de interés. Muy bueno

[Sevia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dlouho jsem neměla na komiksy náladu, ale Undertaker mi chuť ke čtení konečně vrátil. Perfektní western, který má v sobě všechno. A k tomu je ještě dokonale chytře a vtipně napsaný. Jednou bych si ho ráda přečetla v originále.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Undertaker #1: The Gold Eater' by Xavier Dorison with art by Ralph Meyer is a graphic novel set in the old west and features an undertaker who may be more than he seems.

Jonas Crow, undertaker and mystery man, rolls his hearse into town and gets hired to bury a man. The unusual request is to haul the body to an old mine and bury it there. Before the man dies, he swallows his remaining gold. The problem is that the townspeople have found out and Jonas may have a fight on his hands.

I liked this atmospheric tale. I'd like to read more adventures with this character. The art is pretty cool too.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Axelle BN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa. Je n'étais pas, mais tellement pas préparée à ça. Certes, le bordereau indiquait "le plus grand western depuis Blueberry", mais j'ai appris à ne pas placer la barre trop haute a cause d'une sur-médiatisation. Et puis, qu'on se l'avoue, Blueberry surpassable ? Difficile à croire. ET POURTANT !!
Undertaker, ça promet. C'était explosif, les coups partaient dans tous les sens, les illustrations sont à couper le souffle, et l'ambiance western qui sent la poudre respire le génie. J'ai a-do-ré, et je l'ai dévoré ! Je ne vais pas pouvoir attendre longtemps avant d'acheter le deuxième tome !!

[Elfo-oscuro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Te podra gustar mas o menos el genero Western pero este es una joyita tanto en dibujo como guión con varios giros inesperados. Una gran apuesta

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow; an action-packed variation on the Western.
Here is a comic book of atmospheric illustrations of a prospector settlement, where the mine and town are owned by one, self-made man.
Hated throughout his life he has never shared his prosperity; indeed those drawn to the town are working for less than minimum wage but as prospectors they live on the hope of striking gold.
Close to seeing out his last days, despite the protection of the corrupt sherif, Joe Cusco sends out a telegram for an undertaker.
His plan is to be buried in his original shaft in the mine where he first struck gold. He has a trusted assistant and employs the services of the undertaker Jonas Crow. He will commit suicide to avoid a painful death and somehow take his fortune to be buried with coffin.
Crow the Undertaker is more than the sum of his parts and he will require all his black arts to fulfil the 'Will' of the rogue Cusco. Unsurprising the workers feel with the owner dead, the mine and the town by dint of their hard work should pass to them, they are equal shareholders to inherit these assets.
When someone suggests that the coffin holds the gold, the town folk revolt and do whatever they can to prevent the gold being smuggled out of the town.
The action escalates, the violence spills over into riot and wild shooting. Without adequate law enforcement the town leaders send for the army to help.
This is just part 1 and ends on a cliffhanger worthy of the thrust of the story. We know Crow is hiding his identity and true past, but maybe at this time the only hope for Rose, seeking to bury her former employer, according to his final wishes. Can she trust Crow when he appears to be a cold-blooded Murder? His compelling argument is that everyone want the gold and if the Sherif, the miners or the cavalry take the gold their own lives will be forfeit. They would be killed to conceal the theft.

[Carlos Ferreira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mais um Western e talvez para romper claramente com as convenções do género, desta vez o protagonista principal é um cangalheiro (gato-pingado na gíria), o que obviamente é bastante estranho para “herói” já que habitualmente é a personagem menos carismática e apreciada que se pode encontrar nesta época (provavelmente em todas, mas principalmente nesta). Ainda por cima, o seu companheiro é um abutre (detalhe que considero não tão bem conseguido já que nada acrescenta e parece apenas acentuar a inverosimilhança).
O argumento é de Xavier Dorison e a arte gráfica, de excelente nível, é de Ralph Meyer.

Os ciclos/aventuras englobam habitualmente 2 albuns, sendo este o inicial deste ciclo. Ficamos a conhecer o protagonista, que vai ao encontro do seu cliente, um rico explorador de ouro que devido ao mal que o apoquenta, decide entregar a sua alma ao criador e que tem uma série de disposições para serem executadas depois da sua morte… mas que despertam a inevitável cobiça de terceiros que tudo fazem para contrariar essas últimas vontades dando origem a uma série de peripécias e atribulações. A história está bem desenvolvida e fica-se a conhecer um pouco do passado do protagonista, o que explica também a sua novel “profissão”.

Avaliação: 8 / 10

[Hal · Rating 1 out of 5]

arc provided by the publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This just wasn’t the graphic novel for me. I thought that I would enjoy it but I really didn’t. I was bored pretty early on, I didn’t like the plot and the art style wasn’t my favourite.

I won’t be continuing on with this series unfortunately.

1/5 ⭐️

TW: death, guns, shooting, blood, gore

[Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5/5. Very fun western with a good cast of characters, lot of action, good story as well. Nothing of it al is very original or anything, but entertaining and really just a fun comic book. Not sure I will search for the next one, but I would glad read it if I tumble on it. Worth reading!

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good artwork and a gripping western story. This volume sets the scene for the series and the initial twists and turns in this volume have definitely drawn me in. Characters are really well developed and the first volume leaves the reader wanting more.

[Jostein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it!

Nice character introduction, dramatic and eerie story like Dorison's Long John Silver, and great artwork.

[Marcelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Valérie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très bien. Morbide et drôle !

[Soteralzobooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1

[Rutger Gerrits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geestelijke opvolger van mijn held luitenant Blueberry🤠

[Lune · Rating 5 out of 5]

when the grumpy sarcastic dilf is dilfism 😫😫

[José Nebreda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buen western. Y lo siento mucho pero mejor a color.

[João Teixeira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xavier Dorison é um dos melhores argumentistas de BD da actualidade. Não
espanta, portanto, que este livro seja mesmo muito bom. As ilustrações também são soberbas. Uma série para ler até ao fim.

[Matty Dub · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very competent and beautifully illustrated western, the cliffhanger ending is really annoying but that aside, it’s a series worth discovering.

[KSena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic wild west story with a twist? I'm so there! And with a main character with a dark past, I'm even more there!

I liked the artwork in this to, very classic action-comics but more detailed.

This is just the first story, so you don't get to much about the main characters yet. But I will say I really like the undertaker Crow. He seems to be very straight forward both about his job (I can't even imagine during those days...) and about his skills from his past. And at the same time, there's a heart in there, I think. I don't think he is the bad guy that everyone thinks he is. Also, how cute that he saved the life of that vulture that is now his buddy???

The crime-part of the story was also good. I can imagine there were a lot of people back then during the gold rush that profited on others. And this bad guy does it even after his death. What an asshole. Gonna be interesting to see how it will end!

[Melisande · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://accrocdeslivres.blogspot.fr/20...

[selfhiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice western, unpredictable story, full of jokes and marvelous pictures.

[Stephanie Racette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mars 2021. Excellente série qui me fait aimer les westerns (presque). C’est bien mené, on s’attache aux personnages, les dessins sont très bien. On a hâte de lire la suite.

[Feniyetor Yeguas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente con una ambientación exquisita

[Akbar Hasan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for the series:

Fantastic artwork. It's the kind of art that makes one want to pick up a pencil and just draw. It's evident that Ralph Meyer has spent a lot of time thinking about how to layout the panels for the page, and where should the story beats occur through an issue and on what pages.

He is a master at using quiet moments and letting the scenery speak for itself in those large panels. It adds so much to the atmosphere of the book and to the drama within a scene as well. The character expressions are incredible as well, and can convey so much beyond what the words can describe. Crow has a mischievous glint to his eye, Lee has a resolve that is shown of by her mouth and strong jaw, and Rose is able to emote so well with her eyes.

The only issue I took with the art is (this is my opinion) that some of the characters resembled the celebrities too much. Crow is far and above the biggest culprit. It's obvious he's modeled after Keanu Reeves. Another character is the surgeon, I've forgotten his name but he resembled Jack Black and it was offsetting (for me).

Regarding the writing, I was very surprised with how cinematic and carefully constructed events play out in the first two issues. It's very good with how it hints at what's to happen, and giving each character strong moments in a unobtrusive way.

The melding between the writing and the art is at its strongest in those two issues. I remember a scene where the rich guy eats his gold and it's done with a narration/dialogue between two other characters to add more levity with the scene. I love that kind of stuff.

However, I think the weakness of the writing is that things happen too fast, and there are too many conveniences for the sake of plot progression. I really do think that the first two issues, and the story within them, be stretched out more. I personally wanted to see more scenes with the three of them, scenes where we learn about their background and scenes where they develop their relationship with each other.

Other than that, I think the writing suffers from "one-liner syndrome". There are plenty within the 6 issues and they sometimes felt forced. There were a few good ones, but I didn't particularly like some of them and found them to be repetitive (just like the Gospel of Crow, it didn't work for me at all).

Finally, I think I should've taken my time while reading this series. I believe each book comes out after a year, so for the readers, it's a refreshing experience to start the new issue. Reading the issues consecutively definitely hampers the experience, and I began to grow tired of the exposition needed to set up the new stories.

[The Cannibal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le quotidien d'un croque-mort, c'est morose, c'est pas rose, mais c'est son destin.

Jonas Crow… Rien que son nom attire déjà la curiosité. Jonas, comme celui qui vécut dans le ventre de la baleine, et notre homme nous sort de temps en temps des citations biblique. Crow, qui veut dire corbeau en anglais.

Bien que pour notre Jonas, c'est plutôt les vautours ses compagnons de galère car notre homme est un croque-mort.

Oubliez notre époque bénie qui a fait de la Mort un commerce lucratif, en ces époques d'après Guerre de sécession, être un croque-mort ne vous valait pas grand-chose.

Heureusement que notre ami ne manque pas d'humour… Noir, comme son habit, noir comme sa carriole, noir comme ses deux chevaux.

Et il est louche, notre Undertaker. Il sait se battre, tirer, mais évite de se balader avec des six-coups. Sauf lorsque ça devient plus que nécessaire !

N'ayant pas lu le résumé mais acheté cette bédé sur sa couverture, son côté western et ses dessins qui me plaisaient bien, c'est plus vierge que Marie que j'ai entamé ma lecture et tant mieux, j'en ai gardé toutes les surprises.

Évidemment, si vous n'aimez pas les western et si la musique d'un certain Ennio ne vous fait pas frissonner de plaisir, passez votre chemin parce qu'ici, nous sommes face à tous les codes du western, sans pour autant bouffer la même soupe.

Du mystère, des tensions, une paire de nichons, des balles qui sifflent, des dialogues avec des réparties qui fusent plus vite que des flèches d'un carquois indien sur le sentier de la guerre, du suspense et les prémices d'une grande aventure avec un cadavre et une femme plus coincée qu'une fermeture éclair qu'on aurait plus ouvert depuis le Néolithique.

Dessins superbes, couleurs qui donnent envie de chevaucher en criant "Yahaaaa" et une envie folle de monter dans la carriole de Jonas Crow, de prendre son Jed dans ses bras (Jed est un vautour blessé, aller pas imaginer des trucs dégueux, j'en suis pas capable) et de crier "En voiture Simone" avant d'ajouter un "Fouette cocher" des plus clinquants.

Vivement la suite ! Parce que des bédés western de cette qualité, j'en redemande. de plus, je trouve que Jonas Crow a un petit air de Mike S. Blueberry : même arrogance, même dégaine, même rapport avec l'autorité ("Mon corbillard, mes règles").