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Zed Collected: v. 1 by Michel Gagne
Collecting issues #1 through #4 of Michel Gagné's critically acclaimed series. When Zed goes to planet Xandria to demonstrate his invention in front of the galaxy's hierarchy, something goes wrong, terribly wrong... Meet a most unusual cast of characters Krah, the loudest band in the universe, Maxuss, a sadistic tyrant, Macku and his incredible spaceship, and our unlikely hero Zed who gets caught in a deadly chain of traumatic events. An intense sci-fi series that will make you laugh one second and shock you the next. Introduction by Brad Bird, director of The Iron Giant. Also features an early concepts gallery and a pin-up by Phil (First World) Bourassa.
Hardcover
First published November 25, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 3, 2016
I picked this up as a fun quick read and unfortunately this was really underwhelming.
Whilst reading I couldn't figure out if this was supposed to be for children as despite the fact that there was some swearing, the story and the way this is written seems quite juvenile to me.
The artwork was cute and cartoony but a little too chaotic at points. I think if this was in colour it would have been much more pleasing to read but unfortunately the grayscale made things merge together even though the artwork is quite bold.
Overall, I couldn't really recommend this. Maybe try it if you can get it from the library but I wouldn't recommend buying it as I was very disappointed.
Whilst reading I couldn't figure out if this was supposed to be for children as despite the fact that there was some swearing, the story and the way this is written seems quite juvenile to me.
The artwork was cute and cartoony but a little too chaotic at points. I think if this was in colour it would have been much more pleasing to read but unfortunately the grayscale made things merge together even though the artwork is quite bold.
Overall, I couldn't really recommend this. Maybe try it if you can get it from the library but I wouldn't recommend buying it as I was very disappointed.
November 11, 2024
I picked this up some time ago in a bit of "Oh, this artist is AMAZING! I will get everything I can find!" frenzy, as has often been the case when I find someone with new and interesting work, and... it's clearly earlier work that—while very good for EARLY work—is... not the best.
For one thing, the family-friendly style is juxtaposed with lots of actual swear words (despite thinly-veiled alien versions of human things, like the "Nob-L" prize), and Zed needlessly showing off his Gallossian anatomy (both nudity and *technically* not porn...?), and also the EXTREMELY violent massacre of the accident, plus the .
I have Zed: A Cosmic Tale here to review in a minute for comparison, which at a glance is a complete rework to make it friendlier to audiences. This version is also more available, while Volume One is a collection of PART of the earlier 10-issue series (which may no longer be available anywhere—though most of the issues are listed on Gagne's site, issue 10 is definitely sold out and not available even from third parties online). I have to assume the lack of availability has to do with it being a low print run and not popular enough to reprint/finish the collected volumes.
It's a... story, definitely. I don't know if I'd recommend it to anyone except diehard Gagné fans, though, since there's no easy way to see how it ends (at least, in the original format). I suppose it at least DOES end, even if most readers won't get to see said ending, which is better than can be said of a lot of series that never get to the end for various reasons.
For one thing, the family-friendly style is juxtaposed with lots of actual swear words (despite thinly-veiled alien versions of human things, like the "Nob-L" prize), and Zed needlessly showing off his Gallossian anatomy (both nudity and *technically* not porn...?), and also the EXTREMELY violent massacre of the accident, plus the .
I have Zed: A Cosmic Tale here to review in a minute for comparison, which at a glance is a complete rework to make it friendlier to audiences. This version is also more available, while Volume One is a collection of PART of the earlier 10-issue series (which may no longer be available anywhere—though most of the issues are listed on Gagne's site, issue 10 is definitely sold out and not available even from third parties online). I have to assume the lack of availability has to do with it being a low print run and not popular enough to reprint/finish the collected volumes.
It's a... story, definitely. I don't know if I'd recommend it to anyone except diehard Gagné fans, though, since there's no easy way to see how it ends (at least, in the original format). I suppose it at least DOES end, even if most readers won't get to see said ending, which is better than can be said of a lot of series that never get to the end for various reasons.
February 15, 2013
ZED: A Cosmic Tale by Michel Gagné is a graphic novel collection that gathers together the first four issues of the Zed series, reworked to provide a flowing story with consistent artwork. This collection is scheduled for release on February 19 2013. Zed is a young inventor, off to demonstrate his safe power source to the galaxy's leaders. However, when he switches it on, something goes wrong. Soon a sadistic tyrant, Maxuss, is on a killing spree and taking over the galaxy with Zed and the loudest metal band in the universe, Krah, are the only resistance. Zed is small, and an unlikely hero, caught in a series of events that can capture the imaginations and wit of readers.
ZED: A Cosmic Tale is the story of one young hero caught up in a situation far beyond his control. I think everyone can relate to feeling trapped by the situations around them, even if we are not the ones being blamed for the destruction of a planet and the majority of the galaxy's leaders. ZED is a self doubting hero, but is still willing to do what every it takes to make things right, even putting his life on the line and facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Thankfully, ZED has a good head on his shoulders and a spaceship that is turns out to be amazingly helpful on his quest. The artwork is fun, and perfectly paired with the story. I greatly enjoyed the explanation of how the story, and this particular collection, came into fruition.
ZED: A Cosmic Tale is a work with significant amounts humor, science fiction, and action. It is a graphic novel that I would recommend for middle school, young adult, and adult age groups. There is some violence, but it is not disturbingly graphic. The action, suspense, and larger questions about the nature of life are very well done particularly when paired with the reworked art. I highly recommend ZED to anyone that likes their science fiction with tongue in cheek humor and action.
ZED: A Cosmic Tale is the story of one young hero caught up in a situation far beyond his control. I think everyone can relate to feeling trapped by the situations around them, even if we are not the ones being blamed for the destruction of a planet and the majority of the galaxy's leaders. ZED is a self doubting hero, but is still willing to do what every it takes to make things right, even putting his life on the line and facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Thankfully, ZED has a good head on his shoulders and a spaceship that is turns out to be amazingly helpful on his quest. The artwork is fun, and perfectly paired with the story. I greatly enjoyed the explanation of how the story, and this particular collection, came into fruition.
ZED: A Cosmic Tale is a work with significant amounts humor, science fiction, and action. It is a graphic novel that I would recommend for middle school, young adult, and adult age groups. There is some violence, but it is not disturbingly graphic. The action, suspense, and larger questions about the nature of life are very well done particularly when paired with the reworked art. I highly recommend ZED to anyone that likes their science fiction with tongue in cheek humor and action.
January 31, 2013
Zed is a stellar graphic novel. The artwork and story are absolutely spellbinding. The main subjects of Zed are faith and war. These are tough topics for any writer, but Gagne handles them with humor. Gagne also has a talent for telling a story with just a picture. Zed really was amazing to experience. But, if this graphic novel was in color, some parts would have been a little gruesome for my taste. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone that needs a good laugh.
5 stars to Zed for making me think about my part in the universe.
5 stars to Zed for making me think about my part in the universe.
March 18, 2014
Gagne has always been a huge artistic presence in my life, so it is hard to fault any of his work. With that said, I feel the ‘Zed’ series is one of his less successful art pieces and the story lacks the charm and thoughtfulness of his others. Likewise, the tension of being right on the edge between childish and overly dark is not nearly as present in this work, except for the use of language which comes across as profane given its setting.
October 4, 2009
While the art in this collection was incredibly adorable and clever, the plot was very far from both of those things. The story simply didn't draw me in at all – I found it rather dull and only very minimally funny. I was quite excited to read this book when I first flipped through it, but unfortunately it was quite disappointing.
April 16, 2008
I love Gagne's art, but I can't quite figure out what's going on... though I don't own the 2nd book so perhaps that would help :)
January 12, 2013
Adorable alien saves the galaxy with a bit of help from the loudest band in the universe. Cute.
December 27, 2015
Really liked it, I just wish there was an ending -- there's no conclusion in this volume or the few subsequent issues.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews