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Grandville #3
Grandville Bête Noire
The baffling murder of a famed Parisian artist in his locked and guarded studio takes the tenacious Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard and his faithful adjunct, Detective Sargent Ratzi, into the cut-throat Grandville art scene to track the mysterious assassin. As the body count mounts and events spiral out of control, the investigation points to Toad Hall, where a cabal of industrialists and fat cats plot the overthrow of the French State . . . by use of steam-driven automaton soldiers A Victorian anthropomorphic thriller, Grandville Bete Noire signals the welcome return of master storyteller and graphic-novel pioneer Bryan Talbot to his Eisner and Hugo award nominated steampunk detective series.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published December 6, 2012
5 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Talbot
286 books187 followersTalbot began his comics work in the underground comix scene of the late 1960s. In 1969 his first work appeared as illustrations in Mallorn, the British Tolkien Society magazine, followed in 1972 by a weekly strip in his college newspaper.
He continued in the scene after leaving college, producing Brainstorm Comix, the first three of which formed The Chester P. Hackenbush Trilogy (a character reworked by Alan Moore as Chester Williams for Swamp Thing).
He started The Adventures of Luther Arkwright in 1978. It was originally published in Near Myths and continued on over the years in other publications. It was eventually collected together into one volume by Dark Horse. Along with When the Wind Blows it is one of the first British graphic novels.
In the early to mid-eighties he provide art for some of 2000 AD's flagship serials, producing 3 series of Nemesis the Warlock, as well as strips for Judge Dredd and Sláine.
The Tale of One Bad Rat deals with recovery from childhood sexual abuse.
Talbot moved to the American market in the 1990s, principally for DC, on titles like Hellblazer, Sandman and Batman. He also produced the art for The Nazz by Tom Veitch and worked with Tom's brother Rick Veitch on Teknophage, one of a number of mini-series he drew for Tekno Comix.
Talbot has illustrated cards for the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game.
He has also illustrated Bill Willingham's Fables, as well as returning to the Luther Arkwright universe with Heart of Empire. He has also worked on The Dead Boy Detectives.
In 2006, he announced the graphic novel Metronome, an existential, textless erotically-charged visual poem,written under the pseudonym Véronique Tanaka. He admitted that he was the author in 2009.
In 2007 he released Alice in Sunderland, which documents the connections between Lewis Carroll, Alice Liddell, and the Sunderland and Wearside area. He also wrote and drew the layouts for Cherubs!, which he describes as "an irreverent fast-paced supernatural comedy-adventure."
His upcoming work includes a sequel to 2009's Grandville, which Talbot says is "a detective steampunk thriller" and Paul Gravett calls it "an inspired reimagining of some of the first French anthropomorphic caricatures". It is planned as the first in a series of four or five graphic novels.
Source: Wikipedia
He continued in the scene after leaving college, producing Brainstorm Comix, the first three of which formed The Chester P. Hackenbush Trilogy (a character reworked by Alan Moore as Chester Williams for Swamp Thing).
He started The Adventures of Luther Arkwright in 1978. It was originally published in Near Myths and continued on over the years in other publications. It was eventually collected together into one volume by Dark Horse. Along with When the Wind Blows it is one of the first British graphic novels.
In the early to mid-eighties he provide art for some of 2000 AD's flagship serials, producing 3 series of Nemesis the Warlock, as well as strips for Judge Dredd and Sláine.
The Tale of One Bad Rat deals with recovery from childhood sexual abuse.
Talbot moved to the American market in the 1990s, principally for DC, on titles like Hellblazer, Sandman and Batman. He also produced the art for The Nazz by Tom Veitch and worked with Tom's brother Rick Veitch on Teknophage, one of a number of mini-series he drew for Tekno Comix.
Talbot has illustrated cards for the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game.
He has also illustrated Bill Willingham's Fables, as well as returning to the Luther Arkwright universe with Heart of Empire. He has also worked on The Dead Boy Detectives.
In 2006, he announced the graphic novel Metronome, an existential, textless erotically-charged visual poem,written under the pseudonym Véronique Tanaka. He admitted that he was the author in 2009.
In 2007 he released Alice in Sunderland, which documents the connections between Lewis Carroll, Alice Liddell, and the Sunderland and Wearside area. He also wrote and drew the layouts for Cherubs!, which he describes as "an irreverent fast-paced supernatural comedy-adventure."
His upcoming work includes a sequel to 2009's Grandville, which Talbot says is "a detective steampunk thriller" and Paul Gravett calls it "an inspired reimagining of some of the first French anthropomorphic caricatures". It is planned as the first in a series of four or five graphic novels.
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
July 22, 2021
Talbot continues to hit home runs with Grandville. Our latest whodunit / action story is about a group of industrialists trying to take over the French Empire in Talbot's anthropomorphic, steampunk world where Napoleon conquered Europe 200 years ago. I love the amount of both character and world building put into this. Having Mr. Toad from The Wind in the Willows as a Blofeld type Bond villain is genius.
February 8, 2019
Brilliant entertainment. Writer & artist Bryan Talbot does it yet again with the third (& best) in his Grandville graphic novel series.
There's the usual fun plot, great artwork, & nods to numerous influences including Sherlock Holmes, James Bond & even the film Casablanca.
One of the most enjoyable graphic novels you're ever likely to read.
There's the usual fun plot, great artwork, & nods to numerous influences including Sherlock Holmes, James Bond & even the film Casablanca.
One of the most enjoyable graphic novels you're ever likely to read.
September 16, 2012
Grandville Bete Noire
Disclaimer – I got a copy via Netgalley.
I really hate star systems. I do. I believe many, maybe even most, readers do. Then Amazon has to go and foul things up by making a three star review a bad review, when it really isn’t.
I’m conflicted about this graphic novel. I really am. I’m waffling between three and four stars. I haven’t read the others in the series, so I think that if I had, I might be more secure about giving this four stars. But I haven’t, however, after reading this I want to read them.
Grandville Bete Noire is James Bond meets Wind in the Willows. You think it wouldn’t work, but it does. It really does. Our fearless hero Badger, LeBrock, finds himself caught up in a murder mystery. His world is one the reader will almost recognize – a steampunk, animal world, a what-if Napoleon had won. He travels to France where he and his faithful Sergeant meet LeBrock’s love interest - a badger of the evening named Billie.
I found the plot, the detective story, to be a little under-whelming. It could be because I’ve read Ruth Rendell lately. Whatever the reason, the plot – just the plot – wasn’t bad, but I didn’t find it outstanding.
Yet, YET, the world building, the characters, and the little jokes and references make up for it and keep the book enjoyable. While LeBrock is more empathic than James Bond and more rough tumble (as a badger should be), he does have the flair and magnetism of James Bond. Yet, I must admit, my favorite character was Billie who I first dismissed as your standard Bond girl. She might be a Bond girl – in the tradition of Diana Rigg. While her job and clothing choices mark as the eye candy, she is far more nuanced and strong character. She knows her worth and does not change for anyone. She chooses – she isn’t chosen. And she is a good shot.
What I really enjoyed were the allusions. Not only are there references to James Bond (as well as a certain famous villain), but there are appearances by Paddington, famous artists, and writers. Talbot really knows what he is drawing on - not only in the terms of literature and art, but also history. There is a beautiful sequence at an art exhibit, an opening attended by Billie and LeBrock. Look closely at the paintings on the walls, paintings that Billie posed for. They are perfectly chosen for her character. Then the protest that break out. Marvelous. There are also some funny instances of word play. Also Talbot is an author who seems to trust his reader. If you don’t know what he is drawing on, it is explained in the Afterword, a good idea because the reader is not told what to notice – which is what a foreword would have done.
Okay, I guess I am no longer conflicted about how to rate this graphic novel. Extremely enjoyable.
Disclaimer – I got a copy via Netgalley.
I really hate star systems. I do. I believe many, maybe even most, readers do. Then Amazon has to go and foul things up by making a three star review a bad review, when it really isn’t.
I’m conflicted about this graphic novel. I really am. I’m waffling between three and four stars. I haven’t read the others in the series, so I think that if I had, I might be more secure about giving this four stars. But I haven’t, however, after reading this I want to read them.
Grandville Bete Noire is James Bond meets Wind in the Willows. You think it wouldn’t work, but it does. It really does. Our fearless hero Badger, LeBrock, finds himself caught up in a murder mystery. His world is one the reader will almost recognize – a steampunk, animal world, a what-if Napoleon had won. He travels to France where he and his faithful Sergeant meet LeBrock’s love interest - a badger of the evening named Billie.
I found the plot, the detective story, to be a little under-whelming. It could be because I’ve read Ruth Rendell lately. Whatever the reason, the plot – just the plot – wasn’t bad, but I didn’t find it outstanding.
Yet, YET, the world building, the characters, and the little jokes and references make up for it and keep the book enjoyable. While LeBrock is more empathic than James Bond and more rough tumble (as a badger should be), he does have the flair and magnetism of James Bond. Yet, I must admit, my favorite character was Billie who I first dismissed as your standard Bond girl. She might be a Bond girl – in the tradition of Diana Rigg. While her job and clothing choices mark as the eye candy, she is far more nuanced and strong character. She knows her worth and does not change for anyone. She chooses – she isn’t chosen. And she is a good shot.
What I really enjoyed were the allusions. Not only are there references to James Bond (as well as a certain famous villain), but there are appearances by Paddington, famous artists, and writers. Talbot really knows what he is drawing on - not only in the terms of literature and art, but also history. There is a beautiful sequence at an art exhibit, an opening attended by Billie and LeBrock. Look closely at the paintings on the walls, paintings that Billie posed for. They are perfectly chosen for her character. Then the protest that break out. Marvelous. There are also some funny instances of word play. Also Talbot is an author who seems to trust his reader. If you don’t know what he is drawing on, it is explained in the Afterword, a good idea because the reader is not told what to notice – which is what a foreword would have done.
Okay, I guess I am no longer conflicted about how to rate this graphic novel. Extremely enjoyable.
October 2, 2019
Grandville je pro mě hlavně dobrodružná literatura. Místy je to přitažené za vlasy (viděli jste někdy mluvit jezevce???), místy se hlavní hrdina dostane k rozpletení zápletky jak Tom Barnaby, kterému do ucha manželka pošeptá kdo je vrah. Nesmí chybět ani ženy, které umí s puškami (to už je hodně přes čáru) a sem tam nějaký humor od myšího Watsona.
To, co je v Grandville navíc, nevidím. Díky Talbotově přednášce jsem pochopil, že je tam milion odkazů na nejrůznější umění, ale já jsem prostý člověk, který se chce u čtení komiksu hlavně bavit. A tady se to daří.
To, co je v Grandville navíc, nevidím. Díky Talbotově přednášce jsem pochopil, že je tam milion odkazů na nejrůznější umění, ale já jsem prostý člověk, který se chce u čtení komiksu hlavně bavit. A tady se to daří.
December 4, 2012
An artist designing a mural is found murdered under suspicious circumstances. When the commission of the mural is passed on and the second artist is also murdered, foul play is suspected! Archie LeBrock and his faithful sidekick Roderick Ratzi are once more on the trail of crime in the steampunk city of Grandville.
This new installment in the Grandville series feels the most strained of the three books; it doesn’t fly along on its original, creative energy like the first 2 books, rather it plods along to a fairly pedestrian murder mystery plot that we’ve seen before in countless crime novels let alone the first 2 Grandville books. There’s a strong Bond flavour to this third book maybe because this is a Bond anniversary year (50 years on the big screen). From the Bond-like cover, to the Blofeld-like villain with a toad on his lap instead of a white cat, and a Q-like character who gives LeBrock some gadgets at the start of his mission, Talbot hits all the touchstones. Even down to the villain explaining to the hero his dastardly plan in its entirety, instead of just killing him.
The villain is Baron Krapaud, a toad, whose lair is called Toad Hall. I realise this is a reference to the children’s classic “The Wind in the Willows” but I’m getting a bit worn out with writers taking benign children’s stories and characters and twisting them so that they’re presented anew in the 21st century as evil. Baron Krapaud is another example of this as Talbot hints that Mr Toad was an evil so and so. The conceit is played out at this point and I wish writers would stop purposely trying to ruin favourite characters just because they can’t come up with anything original themselves.
Bryan Talbot’s art is once again the best thing about the book, his style is as perfect as the first 2 books were, and he’s always good for some winks to the audience in the panels (my favourite being the drunk Paddington Bear). The plotting may not be as strong as the other books but there’s enough here to make this a fairly decent read that’ll please some fans of this original series, though it is the most forgettable book in the series so far.
This new installment in the Grandville series feels the most strained of the three books; it doesn’t fly along on its original, creative energy like the first 2 books, rather it plods along to a fairly pedestrian murder mystery plot that we’ve seen before in countless crime novels let alone the first 2 Grandville books. There’s a strong Bond flavour to this third book maybe because this is a Bond anniversary year (50 years on the big screen). From the Bond-like cover, to the Blofeld-like villain with a toad on his lap instead of a white cat, and a Q-like character who gives LeBrock some gadgets at the start of his mission, Talbot hits all the touchstones. Even down to the villain explaining to the hero his dastardly plan in its entirety, instead of just killing him.
The villain is Baron Krapaud, a toad, whose lair is called Toad Hall. I realise this is a reference to the children’s classic “The Wind in the Willows” but I’m getting a bit worn out with writers taking benign children’s stories and characters and twisting them so that they’re presented anew in the 21st century as evil. Baron Krapaud is another example of this as Talbot hints that Mr Toad was an evil so and so. The conceit is played out at this point and I wish writers would stop purposely trying to ruin favourite characters just because they can’t come up with anything original themselves.
Bryan Talbot’s art is once again the best thing about the book, his style is as perfect as the first 2 books were, and he’s always good for some winks to the audience in the panels (my favourite being the drunk Paddington Bear). The plotting may not be as strong as the other books but there’s enough here to make this a fairly decent read that’ll please some fans of this original series, though it is the most forgettable book in the series so far.
April 18, 2015
This is the best entry so far in this awesome graphic-novel detective series. It incorporates so many of my favorite literary things: anthropomorphic talking animals, Sherlock Holmes & Watson, steampunk, alternate history, The Wind in the Willows, mystery & crime fiction, fantasy, and adventure.
The artwork is excellent, as is the storyline, and I loved the characters, especially Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard and his loyal assistant, Detective Roderick Ratzi. The egotistical Mr. Toad of Toad Hall makes for a great Bond-style villain. Also, there's some interesting commentary on politics and abstract art.
This is a wonderful series, highly recommended for adults. Now I must get hold of the fourth book in this series, Grandville Noel.
The artwork is excellent, as is the storyline, and I loved the characters, especially Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard and his loyal assistant, Detective Roderick Ratzi. The egotistical Mr. Toad of Toad Hall makes for a great Bond-style villain. Also, there's some interesting commentary on politics and abstract art.
This is a wonderful series, highly recommended for adults. Now I must get hold of the fourth book in this series, Grandville Noel.
November 5, 2017
Grandville continues to be an amazing graphic novel series. This one was a little bit slower than the last two volumes, but the climax totally paid off. It ended up being a great story with themes of representational vs abstract art and I loved that aspect of this book.
January 15, 2026
Elegantní mýval jako vrchní inspektor s koženýma rukavičkama a vycházkovou holí. Je to Francouz, takže mi to asociuje Herkula Poirota (ano vím, že Poirot byl Belgičan) - všichni Britové si o něm mysleli, že je Francouz. A celá ta scéna byla když v alternativní realitě Herkule Poirot navštíví Sherlocka Holmese (ano, oba znám pouze seriálově :D).
Sexy jezevčice je zpátky na scéně, uáá jupí.
Potrubní pošta. Andulka jako prodavačka výtvarných potřeb. Potrubní dráha jako metro - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_P... <3
Politikou a technickými vynálezy připomíná současnost, která nabývá až dystopických rozměrů. Ale bytosti bažící po moci, penězích, despocii je bezčasová. V tomto ohledu je komiks až příliš lidský. Lidské, příliš lidské.
„Smrt z rukou pošty.‟
Také jsem stále ještě duší socialista (svoboda, rovnost, sesterství).
Skvělé narážky na německý, britský a franocuzský humor, z kterého se udělají metavtípky.
Na Vánoce o nemoci to bylo príma čtení.
Tak pravil Roderik Krysmyš:
„Krutibrko! Jsem vedle jak plch v bedle! Zamotaný případ, což?‟
„Vraždící přízrak! U všech drobků! Jako v šestákovém krváku!‟
„No tak inspektore. Přece to nevzdáte. Vím, že tu hádanku nakonec rozlousknete, na to vsadím roční předplatné do sýrařství.‟
Tak pravil magnát ropucha 0_____0
„Již brzy ovládneme Paříž a Revoluční rada se změní jen v děsivou vzpomínku…
...stejně děsivou jako představa, že by po volbách, ve kterých má podle všeho zvítězit, nastalo něco tak perverzního jako diktatura lidu!‟
„Postaráme se o to, aby realistické umění bylo navždy odsouzeno a zdiskreditováno. Nahradíme ho uměním abstraktním, které nás nemůže nijak ohrozit. Jen si to představte! Lukrativní komodita s nulovým významem či myšlenkou. Dá se s ní skvěle obchodovat, a přitom neobsahuje žádnou ideologickou ani politickou výpověď. Dokonalé.‟
Vskutku, dokonalé!
Sexy jezevčice je zpátky na scéně, uáá jupí.
Potrubní pošta. Andulka jako prodavačka výtvarných potřeb. Potrubní dráha jako metro - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_P... <3
Politikou a technickými vynálezy připomíná současnost, která nabývá až dystopických rozměrů. Ale bytosti bažící po moci, penězích, despocii je bezčasová. V tomto ohledu je komiks až příliš lidský. Lidské, příliš lidské.
„Smrt z rukou pošty.‟
Také jsem stále ještě duší socialista (svoboda, rovnost, sesterství).
Skvělé narážky na německý, britský a franocuzský humor, z kterého se udělají metavtípky.
Na Vánoce o nemoci to bylo príma čtení.
Tak pravil Roderik Krysmyš:
„Krutibrko! Jsem vedle jak plch v bedle! Zamotaný případ, což?‟
„Vraždící přízrak! U všech drobků! Jako v šestákovém krváku!‟
„No tak inspektore. Přece to nevzdáte. Vím, že tu hádanku nakonec rozlousknete, na to vsadím roční předplatné do sýrařství.‟
Tak pravil magnát ropucha 0_____0
„Již brzy ovládneme Paříž a Revoluční rada se změní jen v děsivou vzpomínku…
...stejně děsivou jako představa, že by po volbách, ve kterých má podle všeho zvítězit, nastalo něco tak perverzního jako diktatura lidu!‟
„Postaráme se o to, aby realistické umění bylo navždy odsouzeno a zdiskreditováno. Nahradíme ho uměním abstraktním, které nás nemůže nijak ohrozit. Jen si to představte! Lukrativní komodita s nulovým významem či myšlenkou. Dá se s ní skvěle obchodovat, a přitom neobsahuje žádnou ideologickou ani politickou výpověď. Dokonalé.‟
Vskutku, dokonalé!
October 26, 2017
I'm not usually that big on anthropomorphic characters but the magnificent artwork, dynamic alternate-history steampunk setting and action-packed plot totally sucked me in. If you like subversive plots like V for Vendetta, you should appreciate Grandville.
Grandville Bete Noir is the third book (following Grandville and Grandville Mon Amour) in what will soon be a five-volume series of graphic novels. It can best be described as that you would dream after mixing The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Wind in the Willows, Midnight in Paris and psilocybin mushrooms. The Grandville of the titles is a nickname for Paris in this alternate university where the French rule the world and Paris is the center of all cultural and political activity. In this installment, someone is kidnapping all of the most prominent scientists and killing the most famous artists. (Be sure not to miss the afterward in which the author explains his inspiration for his Art War. It's an eye-opener.)
On my Series ranking scale¹ I give the Grandville series rating of three. The series has a substantial and evolving backstory and they are best read in order but readers without the inclination or access to previous books in the series will still be able to enjoy this book.
Hint: If you are looking for a copy of these books, check with your local library to see if they have access to Hoopla digital content.
¹ A Note on Series:Some people insist on reading series in order starting at the beginning. I believe that this is absolutely necessary with some series and unnecessary in others. In my reviews I assign books in a series a score of one to five in which the higher score denotes increased importance of reading the book in order. A series with returning villains, an ongoing story arc, and evolving family dynamics will rate higher than one where the plot in each book is totally unrelated to the others. As an example, a Nancy Drew book would be a one. There is no evolving story arc. Nancy hasn’t grown any older in fifty years and, face it, Ned is never going to propose to her. The Lord of the Rings, on the other hand, is a five. Reading the trilogy in order is essential to fully understanding and appreciating the story. One book picks up right where its predecessor leaves off and Fellowship of the Ring contains information that readers of The Two Towers really need to know. Besides, Tolkien originally wrote it as a single volume.
Grandville Bete Noir is the third book (following Grandville and Grandville Mon Amour) in what will soon be a five-volume series of graphic novels. It can best be described as that you would dream after mixing The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Wind in the Willows, Midnight in Paris and psilocybin mushrooms. The Grandville of the titles is a nickname for Paris in this alternate university where the French rule the world and Paris is the center of all cultural and political activity. In this installment, someone is kidnapping all of the most prominent scientists and killing the most famous artists. (Be sure not to miss the afterward in which the author explains his inspiration for his Art War. It's an eye-opener.)
On my Series ranking scale¹ I give the Grandville series rating of three. The series has a substantial and evolving backstory and they are best read in order but readers without the inclination or access to previous books in the series will still be able to enjoy this book.
Hint: If you are looking for a copy of these books, check with your local library to see if they have access to Hoopla digital content.
¹ A Note on Series:Some people insist on reading series in order starting at the beginning. I believe that this is absolutely necessary with some series and unnecessary in others. In my reviews I assign books in a series a score of one to five in which the higher score denotes increased importance of reading the book in order. A series with returning villains, an ongoing story arc, and evolving family dynamics will rate higher than one where the plot in each book is totally unrelated to the others. As an example, a Nancy Drew book would be a one. There is no evolving story arc. Nancy hasn’t grown any older in fifty years and, face it, Ned is never going to propose to her. The Lord of the Rings, on the other hand, is a five. Reading the trilogy in order is essential to fully understanding and appreciating the story. One book picks up right where its predecessor leaves off and Fellowship of the Ring contains information that readers of The Two Towers really need to know. Besides, Tolkien originally wrote it as a single volume.
January 5, 2013
Reason for Reading: I loved the whole premise of this series: animal fantasy, steampunk, crime mystery, and even though I hadn't read the previous issues, the cover art made me want to read this *now*.
What a fantastic comic. Steeped in allusions to James Bond, Wind in the Willows and Sherlock Holmes this pastiche of anthropomorphic animals had me intrigued from the get-go. Set in a steampunk Paris which is alluded to as "Grandville" in this alternate world where animals rule supreme and human beings are considered of a lesser evolutionary scale. This is a world in which Britain has just recently won its Independence from a France-ruled Empire that won the Napoleonic Wars. France itself has also just recently become a more politically socialist state and steam driven automata are the norm in this world. A fantastic world that I absolutely enjoyed.
This particular story sees LeBrock facing off against the evil Krapau, a Bond-like villain, and wooing his lady love the nude model/prostitute, Billie. A tantalizing story and I'll be going back to read the first two in the series. The artwork is superb and a delight to the eyes. Done in an overall black and white effect, though the blacks range from dark grey to blue shades. Colour has been used to great advantage, especially with red added to the b/w scenes but some panels even employ full colour. A truly eye-catching piece of artwork. Loved the story and find Inspector LeBrock to be a deep, mysterious yet amusing character.
Of note, this book is not for children. While the violence is not graphic. It is implied and there is plenty of blood and cold-blooded murder. The language is infrequent but doesn't hold any bars including a variety of colourful words up to and including the f-word. Finally, sexual situations are implied and full frontal female nudity is shown, even if they have the heads of badgers. Both the publisher and I agree on an age range of 16+.
What a fantastic comic. Steeped in allusions to James Bond, Wind in the Willows and Sherlock Holmes this pastiche of anthropomorphic animals had me intrigued from the get-go. Set in a steampunk Paris which is alluded to as "Grandville" in this alternate world where animals rule supreme and human beings are considered of a lesser evolutionary scale. This is a world in which Britain has just recently won its Independence from a France-ruled Empire that won the Napoleonic Wars. France itself has also just recently become a more politically socialist state and steam driven automata are the norm in this world. A fantastic world that I absolutely enjoyed.
This particular story sees LeBrock facing off against the evil Krapau, a Bond-like villain, and wooing his lady love the nude model/prostitute, Billie. A tantalizing story and I'll be going back to read the first two in the series. The artwork is superb and a delight to the eyes. Done in an overall black and white effect, though the blacks range from dark grey to blue shades. Colour has been used to great advantage, especially with red added to the b/w scenes but some panels even employ full colour. A truly eye-catching piece of artwork. Loved the story and find Inspector LeBrock to be a deep, mysterious yet amusing character.
Of note, this book is not for children. While the violence is not graphic. It is implied and there is plenty of blood and cold-blooded murder. The language is infrequent but doesn't hold any bars including a variety of colourful words up to and including the f-word. Finally, sexual situations are implied and full frontal female nudity is shown, even if they have the heads of badgers. Both the publisher and I agree on an age range of 16+.
October 2, 2019
Akčnější jízda. Jak byl předchozí díl více Sherlockovský, tento je velmi velmi Bondovský (včetně známého Q). Čtenáře čeká velké spiknutí, spousty steampunku a další nálož nápadů a kulturních odkazů. Na poslední hvězdičku snad chybí jen to, aby se příběh tolik nedržel podobné dějové struktury, na jakou už jsme narazili v prvních dvou dílech. I tak se to ale čte téměř bez dechu...
Poznámka 1: S nástupem nové překladatelky velmi oceňuji v českém vydání nově se objevující poznámky pod čarou upozorňující nejen na kulturní odkazy (a vysvětlující je).
Poznámka 2: Nikdy bych neřekl, že toto (resp. toto) opravdu fungovalo, i když jen tři roky. Čímž zároveň všem doporučuji nespoléhat se jen na poznámky pod čarou, ale projít si přímo autorovy poznámky. A připravte se na další obří nálož znepokojivých klasických obrazů se zvířecími hlavami :)
Poznámka 1: S nástupem nové překladatelky velmi oceňuji v českém vydání nově se objevující poznámky pod čarou upozorňující nejen na kulturní odkazy (a vysvětlující je).
Poznámka 2: Nikdy bych neřekl, že toto (resp. toto) opravdu fungovalo, i když jen tři roky. Čímž zároveň všem doporučuji nespoléhat se jen na poznámky pod čarou, ale projít si přímo autorovy poznámky. A připravte se na další obří nálož znepokojivých klasických obrazů se zvířecími hlavami :)
February 4, 2016
Steampunk, mystery, adventure, characters are anthropomorphic animals, lovely art, but it lost me at the gratuitous female nudity. This is not a prudish complaint. The scene is very tastefully done and fits the story - but why does a female badger have a sexy human body? She's a badger, he's a badger, in a world where badgers wear clothes I'm sure the readers are intelligent enough to get that he'd be titillated by a female badger with no clothes without having to show us a naked human woman with a badger head. The answer seems to be that the reader needs to see a naked human female. I was further exhausted by the fact that the female badger is a "strong" female character in a historical setting so of course she's a BDSM mistress, a trope only slightly less worn out than the making her run a whorehouse to demonstrate her moxie. I'd have been far more impressed if the author had come up with a more creative profession for her. I had quit reading comics because of the rampant misogyny in the field and it disappoints me to see it in a Hugo nominee.
September 1, 2020
Another good story in Talbot's series is marred by a bit of a slow beginning. There is a formal dinner scene about half way through that is played for laughs that really didn't do much for me.
But there is still some good stuff in here. One part features a locked door mystery that has a solution that could have only occurred in this bizarre steampunk world. The main antagonist is modeled after Mr Toad from Wind in the Willows. There is violent murder from an evil hairless cat. And, strangest of all, is a fight between abstract artists and communist propaganda artists which is slightly based on actual history.
But there is still some good stuff in here. One part features a locked door mystery that has a solution that could have only occurred in this bizarre steampunk world. The main antagonist is modeled after Mr Toad from Wind in the Willows. There is violent murder from an evil hairless cat. And, strangest of all, is a fight between abstract artists and communist propaganda artists which is slightly based on actual history.
March 3, 2025
Toujours un régal. La série ne s'essouffle pas dans ce troisième tome. On creuse un peu plus certains personnages secondaires, les révélations s'enchaînent et le rythme ne baisse jamais.
Hormis la couleur réalisée par ordinateur que je trouve un peu froide, je suis bien en peine de trouver quoi que ce soit à redire !
On continue de se délecter des clins d'oeil aux grands classiques.
Hormis la couleur réalisée par ordinateur que je trouve un peu froide, je suis bien en peine de trouver quoi que ce soit à redire !
On continue de se délecter des clins d'oeil aux grands classiques.
September 4, 2018
Another winner in the Grandville series. I don’t have much to say about this particular installment except that the art is striking and the mystery was decent. I continue to enjoy Ratzi’s lines the most. The author’s commentary at the end about what inspired the plot was interesting.
November 7, 2021
Truly awful. The most appalling, hideously crude two dimensional characters that speak in nothing but clichés, blithe exposition, empty slogans containing no subtlety or nuance. No wit, no sharpness of dialogue, so clunky and awkward it makes you cringe. Grandville, the badge protagonist is a gruff areshole. His companion is a Dr. Watson clone. He has some lover type who is kind of a sassy bad ass, but they sort of are conflicted, as he had some baggage. Yawn. Who cares. Seen this a million times. The bad guys, hyper-capitalistic oligarchs and industrialists, are little more than cartoon caricatures, generic evil bad guys. Their goals and aims, even giving that this is a slightly exaggerated pulpy novel, is wretchedly simplistic, almost hilarious in its unsubtly of depicting merely evil rich people. There's almost some nice worldbuilding, in imagining an alternate world in which Napoleon won the wars, invaded Britain, but Britain had a revolution overthrowing the regime and France subsequently having its own one. But it can't amount to much in such boring and cliché ridden dreck.
The artwork's not even good. I hate it.
The artwork's not even good. I hate it.
March 8, 2016
Book 3 finds Detective Inspector LeBrock and his trusty sidekick Detective Sergeant Roderick Ratzi up against the formidable Baron Aristotle Krapaud, a fabulously wealthy industrialist and criminal mastermind who is intent on overthrowing the current regime in France and taking ultimate power for himself. Heedless of their involvement is a group of scientists who are creating machines that the Baron will use to achieve his aims. All very dastardly.
My favorite bits in this lusciously illustrated story are the Baron's concurrent plot to wipe out traditional art forms and replace them with purely abstract art, and in so doing prevent artists from criticizing him or his methods of control, and Bryan Talbot's chuckle inducing animal references (which on a serious note reflect how often we dismiss animals in everyday speech as worthless, negative things). A fine addition to this enjoyable romp of a series.
My favorite bits in this lusciously illustrated story are the Baron's concurrent plot to wipe out traditional art forms and replace them with purely abstract art, and in so doing prevent artists from criticizing him or his methods of control, and Bryan Talbot's chuckle inducing animal references (which on a serious note reflect how often we dismiss animals in everyday speech as worthless, negative things). A fine addition to this enjoyable romp of a series.
November 1, 2013
Srsly.
I thought about dropping this series, but I'm so glad I didn't.
This one plays with ideas ripped from art history - particularly featuring the rise of abstract art as a counter to the political content of some of the figurative art during the cold war (see http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wor... for some of the real story). Lebrock tangles with corporate villains, mad scientists and depressed artists in a Bond-style adventure. Workers rights, racism, and class dynamics feature prominently. Meanwhile, Billie, Lebrock's current love interest, gets some seriously badass moments. Oh, and there's a meerkat gang, a creepy looking lady raccoon, and lots and lots of fun gadgetry.
SOO yummy. I feel like this needs more attention than it gets.
I thought about dropping this series, but I'm so glad I didn't.
This one plays with ideas ripped from art history - particularly featuring the rise of abstract art as a counter to the political content of some of the figurative art during the cold war (see http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wor... for some of the real story). Lebrock tangles with corporate villains, mad scientists and depressed artists in a Bond-style adventure. Workers rights, racism, and class dynamics feature prominently. Meanwhile, Billie, Lebrock's current love interest, gets some seriously badass moments. Oh, and there's a meerkat gang, a creepy looking lady raccoon, and lots and lots of fun gadgetry.
SOO yummy. I feel like this needs more attention than it gets.
January 2, 2016
The first Grandville had a more nebulous alignment with Sherlock Holmes, but the newer two are very distinctly an homage. Still, LeBrock is great, the art is great, and the alternate history Talbot has invented is fascinating (and not TOO steampunk; just enough). There's a ton of new material hiding in there for future Grandville books. And it's always fun to read something from Dark Horse.
September 2, 2017
Kolmas osa nutika mägrast detektiivi seiklustest aurupunk-Pariisis, mille elanikud on antropomorfsed loomad. Kummardusi tehakse siia ja sinna, näiteks põhikurjam konn on pärit klassikalisest Kenneth Graham'i "The Wind in the Willows'ist".
Ei, väga vinge sari, kiirelt mu personaalse edetabeli tippu tõusnud, kui mitte lausa esikohale...
Ei, väga vinge sari, kiirelt mu personaalse edetabeli tippu tõusnud, kui mitte lausa esikohale...
June 18, 2013
This is the third in the Grandville series (I use "series" because I hope there are many more). I didn't know there was a second. Where the hell have I been? What else have I missed? How are books getting published that I don't know about?
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
did-not-finish
January 3, 2017One reviewer labeled this as Wind in the Willows meets James Bond, only she thought it was a good thing. I couldn't get into this story about steampunk animals, with a prostitute badger (with human feet? what?) and a godfather toad.
October 3, 2012
I knew I disliked Jackson Pollock, but now I know why! :)
Read
April 3, 2013The sledgehammer politics continue to vex me, but this volume does feature a scene with a toad smoking a pipe, so it can't be all bad.
September 21, 2022
The third volume of Bryan Talbot's brilliant badger saga sees our macho mustelid travel to Paris and face off against a villainous industrialist seeking to seize power in the newly liberated French empire. After reading the wildly convoluted first volume of Talbot's Arkwright series earlier in the year Grandville comes across like a breath of fresh air. It's a straightforward action-adventure with Bond overtones, there's a whodunnit subplot and it rattles along at a very accessible pace. Although much like Arkwright, Talbot still struggles to give his female characters (of which there are two) much to do beyond lusting over the protagonist. This is a classical early 20th C action caper though, so it fits the form I suppose, and is expanded out in the form of scoops of political commentary, art history and knowing nods to things that have came to pass here (and may happen in the world of Grandville).
Again, compared to Arkwright, Talbot's art is stripped right back to its core here. Touching on the ligne claire style, but still displaying a lot of Talbot's own particular strengths - beautifully observed interior and exterior work, a really strong sense of place and character and he is near flawless at managing both emotive and action sequences with dexterity and grace. It's no great revelation to say that he's a master of the craft but he really really is. There's so much thought that goes into it - not just the observational work of the historical Parisian streets, but the easter eggs relating to comics history he crams into backgrounds. It's clear how much energy and passion he has for the project and it's beautiful to see. My only issues with the art lies in the colouring. Not necessarily the atmospheric lighting of spaces which is largely very good, but the use of motion blurs, "special effects" and filtered photography (or just straight up cut outs of photographs) for some background details which never cease to look awkward. Especially against the clarity of the line.
The book is presented in a beautiful hardback, like the earlier volumes, very luxurious vibes. I love the use of a noveau steampunk pattern behind all of the credits pages, and there's a real sense of "book design" about the whole endeavour. Not that it was all Talbot alone, as he goes to the (often overlooked) lengths of crediting not only the colour flatters, but the proofreaders and everyone else. Which is genuinely very welcome. There's a nice afterword detailing his specific references which I always appreciate. Grandville Bete Noire is a beautiful package and a rollickingly good comic. Talbot always delivers something worth owning and this is no exception. However I'm now so behind with the series that I expect it'll be quite a challenge to locate future volumes!
Again, compared to Arkwright, Talbot's art is stripped right back to its core here. Touching on the ligne claire style, but still displaying a lot of Talbot's own particular strengths - beautifully observed interior and exterior work, a really strong sense of place and character and he is near flawless at managing both emotive and action sequences with dexterity and grace. It's no great revelation to say that he's a master of the craft but he really really is. There's so much thought that goes into it - not just the observational work of the historical Parisian streets, but the easter eggs relating to comics history he crams into backgrounds. It's clear how much energy and passion he has for the project and it's beautiful to see. My only issues with the art lies in the colouring. Not necessarily the atmospheric lighting of spaces which is largely very good, but the use of motion blurs, "special effects" and filtered photography (or just straight up cut outs of photographs) for some background details which never cease to look awkward. Especially against the clarity of the line.
The book is presented in a beautiful hardback, like the earlier volumes, very luxurious vibes. I love the use of a noveau steampunk pattern behind all of the credits pages, and there's a real sense of "book design" about the whole endeavour. Not that it was all Talbot alone, as he goes to the (often overlooked) lengths of crediting not only the colour flatters, but the proofreaders and everyone else. Which is genuinely very welcome. There's a nice afterword detailing his specific references which I always appreciate. Grandville Bete Noire is a beautiful package and a rollickingly good comic. Talbot always delivers something worth owning and this is no exception. However I'm now so behind with the series that I expect it'll be quite a challenge to locate future volumes!
August 9, 2021
Two hundred years ago Britain lost the Napoleonic by France and the members of its royal family were guillotined. It had been a part of the French Empire until twenty-three years ago, when it was begrudgingly given independence after a prolonged campaign of civil disobedience and anarchist bombings.
Ten weeks ago, France experienced a revolution following the death of Emperor Napoleon XII and is now ruled by the Revolutionary Council.
I've wanted to read this for some time as I have always liked Bryan Talbot's style. It really lived up to all my expectations.
Steampunk meets Victorian mystery meets alternate history meets The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes meets anthropomorphic animals in a wonderful blend that will not disappoint!
Detective Inspector LeBrock is back and this time has been called in to help the French authorities solve a locked room mystery. What is uncovered is a plot that, once again, falls to LeBrock to thwart.
Amazing. So fun and a joy to read. This will be treasured and reread many times! 5 stars.
Ten weeks ago, France experienced a revolution following the death of Emperor Napoleon XII and is now ruled by the Revolutionary Council.
I've wanted to read this for some time as I have always liked Bryan Talbot's style. It really lived up to all my expectations.
Steampunk meets Victorian mystery meets alternate history meets The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes meets anthropomorphic animals in a wonderful blend that will not disappoint!
Detective Inspector LeBrock is back and this time has been called in to help the French authorities solve a locked room mystery. What is uncovered is a plot that, once again, falls to LeBrock to thwart.
Amazing. So fun and a joy to read. This will be treasured and reread many times! 5 stars.
October 17, 2022
A month after the end of the previous adventure, LeBrock and Ratzi end up back in Paris, investigating the impossible death of a Parisian artist. As usual, there is a bigger story behind it - anywhere they turn, they seem to be hearing about Toad Hall. The reader knows who they are - the story started with it. But the in-history characters had no clue - and noone was talking. Add the love story finally coming to a head (again), some of the backstory explaining some of LeBrock's melancholy, the usual shenanigans in Scotland Yard and the gorgeous art and the graphic novel could have worked just based on that.
But then there are also the parallels and influences to James Bond (there are even gadgets), Wind in the Willows, Sherlock Holmes (which was always there anyway) and some other authors and works (I got some Bertie Wooster vibes in places and a few things I could not exactly place). That adds to the richness but without requiring you to have read these - if you miss the parallels, you still get a complete story.
But then there are also the parallels and influences to James Bond (there are even gadgets), Wind in the Willows, Sherlock Holmes (which was always there anyway) and some other authors and works (I got some Bertie Wooster vibes in places and a few things I could not exactly place). That adds to the richness but without requiring you to have read these - if you miss the parallels, you still get a complete story.
June 24, 2024
There’s cabal of fat ‘cat’ industrialists making plans, though only one of them is a cat and he’s bald. Using scientists who the world thinks are missing, and one doughface (that’s human to you) is rebelling: Angus Mortimire doesn’t last long.
In London Commander Carew had taken over and decided to make a promotion, one officer gets to be Chief Inspector, not LeBrock, of course. Quayle from R&D asks LeBrock to test an exploding pipe when he has reason. Then, under a pseudonym, Chief Inspector Rocher of the Paris Prefecture visits LeBrock, wanting him to look into what is basically a locked room mystery.
There are secrets, seductions, and all sorts of solidarity. Abstract art is used in an interesting way, and this element is inspired by real life reactions against Russian realistic (well I would call it idealistic) art. There are misunderstanding and machinery hiding in plain sight.
Yes, it’s a graphic novel, yes it’s anthropomorphic, but it’s also a good mystery well told. Well worth reading.
In London Commander Carew had taken over and decided to make a promotion, one officer gets to be Chief Inspector, not LeBrock, of course. Quayle from R&D asks LeBrock to test an exploding pipe when he has reason. Then, under a pseudonym, Chief Inspector Rocher of the Paris Prefecture visits LeBrock, wanting him to look into what is basically a locked room mystery.
There are secrets, seductions, and all sorts of solidarity. Abstract art is used in an interesting way, and this element is inspired by real life reactions against Russian realistic (well I would call it idealistic) art. There are misunderstanding and machinery hiding in plain sight.
Yes, it’s a graphic novel, yes it’s anthropomorphic, but it’s also a good mystery well told. Well worth reading.
June 21, 2019
Another great trip to Grandville. This one follows the mystery of why artists are being murdered in Grandville and does seem to ramble a bit more than and have a little less humor than the others I've read so far in the series (which have had really tight story lines with plenty of tongue-in-cheek quips). Still, an action-packed story with wonderful art!
October 28, 2019
no ma ei tea, mulle endiselt meeldib nii see maailm kui see joonistusstiil väga, aga endiselt ei suuda suhestuda nende intriigidega, mis seal tekivad ja mida kodanik detektiiv lahendama peab:( see tapmine ja tagaajamine lihtsalt tüütab mind.
lisaks selgub, et mäger on ka ikkagi ainult inimene, hakkavad kooruma välja varasema elu traumad ja kompleksid - no selliste kangelasdetektiividega lugude stereotüüpne värk. aga mulle käib närvidele.
nautisingi siis jälle Londonit ja Pariisi ja väikseid naljakaid viiteid (kohe esimeselt leheküljelt leidsin nt karupoeg Paddingtoni, what's not to like). aga pean nüüd pikema vahe, enne kui järgmise osa kallale asun.
lisaks selgub, et mäger on ka ikkagi ainult inimene, hakkavad kooruma välja varasema elu traumad ja kompleksid - no selliste kangelasdetektiividega lugude stereotüüpne värk. aga mulle käib närvidele.
nautisingi siis jälle Londonit ja Pariisi ja väikseid naljakaid viiteid (kohe esimeselt leheküljelt leidsin nt karupoeg Paddingtoni, what's not to like). aga pean nüüd pikema vahe, enne kui järgmise osa kallale asun.
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