Rituels

Hell School #1

by Dugomier (Scénario), Benoît Ers

Située sur une petite île française, l'école de l'excellence est un établissement ultra-privé extrêmement rétrograde, dont les résultats ne sont plus à démontrer – le cauchemar de tout adolescent normalement constitué. Ainsi, le simple refus de Bastien, Hina et Boris de participer au bizutage suffira à les mettre au ban de toute vie sociale... ce qui leur laissera tout le temps d'enquêter sur les bizarreries de cette « École-Prison », comme la scolarisation gratuite des orphelins, ou les décès qui ont frappé ces mêmes orphelins au cours des dernières années !

Genres: Bande Dessinée, Comics

48 pages, Hardcover

First published December 20, 2012

About the author

Pseudonym for Vincent Lodewick. See also Vincent Dugomier .

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book has some Morning Glories vibes going on while giving you even fewer details. So little happened in this that I felt strung along. The new class at a private boarding school has arrived. There's a few outcast teenagers that refuse to go through some "ritual" the upperclassmen put on and the rest of the school picks on these kids for not going through said ritual. That's really all you get in this chunk. I need more than that to draw my interest. I've been burned too many times before to continue on the promise that may be something interesting here.

Received a review copy from Europe Comics and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.

[Andrew “The Weirdling” Glos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first installment of an intended larger work. As usually for graphic novel series, the story is only just beginning and it’s not yet clear where we are going. The story is well written and, I think, very beautifully drawn. Something about the style reminds me of the iconic Tintin books of my youth.

The story revolves around an extremely elite French prep school, secluded on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. All students are expected to participate in “the ritual”, an activity never explained further. Three students choose to not participate and are brutally marginalized by the student body and slowly form bonds with one another accordingly.

I for one am greatly intrigued. There is something going on here. Something bad. Something big. I will definitely be reading on.

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this graphic novel from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

This graphic novel sounded really exciting, I am always a fan of dark boarding school stories and how can I resist this one when that dark boarding school is on a freaking island. No place to run, no place to hide. You just have to be smart if you want to survive.

The book starts with a scene from the past. We see how a group of students head to the ferry to go to a new year of school. It seems pretty OK in the first 2 panels, but then someone comes in the mix, the bastard. Apparently he isn't wanted by the group and left alone in the freezing rain. What happens next. Holy crap. I get you don't like the guy, but to just push/throw him off the ship? No, I don't see this a spoiler, it happens on the third page. :|

Next we are back in the now and we see a new group of students and we learn what bastard means. It is those who haven't done the ritual, those who haven't gone through the hazing. Yup. This school is very gung-ho on making people look the same, accept the social norms there, and participate in everything. The kids who will be the main focus point are all standing out. We have Hina, who has the attitude and the gorgeous blue hair. We have Bastien who has dreads. We have Boris who is definitely not happy with all the crap that is going on at the school in regards to the bastard stuff. And not fitting to the misfits entirely, but her secret may cause her to fall out of the group is Val.

I have to say that while I did like we didn't just have one person standing up against the terror, instead we have 3 (and 4 if you count Val), it was just too much for me. I am just getting into the story and we are switching POVs left and right. Not just these 4, but also the school director and some other guys. Maybe I wouldn't have minded if I had been into the story a bit further along, but now it was just too much.

The school is severely messed up, students have to partake in a ritual or be called bastards forever and be bullied and hurt all the time. There is something weird going on and I am curious why they are all so gung-ho on making these kids do the shit they have to do. Not to mention... people die. :| People are threatened. What kind of thing is going on that this whole bastard thing and people having to participate in the hazing is so important. We do get some hints, but I still want more. Now it just seems very strange and over the top. Though I see why the title is like this. It really is a hell school.

The art is pretty decent. Not always my favourite though. But that is just my thing.

All in all, I will keep on reading as I am curious how this will escalate and see what kind of crap wil happen next. What will happen to Bastien? Will the kids be able to keep on standing against this school? And of course why the school is so gung-ho on these kids being the same/acting like sheep.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Elliot A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really liked this comic. The artwork reminded me a bit of the style used in The Adventures of Tintin.

I saw it listed on NetGalley and I just had to read it. At first, I thought this was a story involving perhaps zombies or some sort of monster, but I liked the direction it ultimately took.

The story just hit the spot perfectly: we got some creepy school with a whole bunch of weird traditions located on an island far away from civilization. We also have a bit of a rebel student, who is on to the weird stuff that is happening and tries to figure out what is going on.

It was a slow burn and at the end of the first volume the reader hasn’t even gotten close to anything like a conclusion, which has me itching for more.

The story took its time introducing all the relevant characters, setting the mood just right and building up the tension that follows the story until the cliffhanger ending.

The plot centred around secrets, mystery and odd behaviours from students and faculty member all thrown together on a private school on an island.

The dialogue was originally composed in French and the translation into English is excellent.
The artwork showed enough detail to bring the story and characters to life without being too busy and overwhelming.

I really liked the spooky atmosphere the artists/authors were able to create in such a short amount of space. It was ominous, foreboding and hinted at evil doing that runs very deep.

Overall, I can’t say it enough, I really enjoyed this story. My fingers are itching for the next volume, but I have yet to find out when volume 2 will be translated into English from its original French version.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone, who enjoys creepy, spooky stories that are rooted in questionable institutional traditions.

ElliotScribbles

[OTAKU READS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this
Thank you so much Netgalley for the copy
I loved the idea of a hell school where everything depends on ritual and being fake. The friendships are explored so good in this I really want to reaD the second part soon . Loved the final twist can’t wait to see where this goes and the art is phenomenal

[Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell School follows the three 'bastards' of the Institute of Excellence - three first-years who refuse to take part in the traditional hazing ritual and become outcasts, bullied, and picked on by their peers. It is the first of an installment of works,

Hell School opens with a scene from the past showing a previous 'bastard' being 'punished' for not taking part in the ritual before jumping forward ten years to show us the latest batch of first years. We meet Bastien and Hina, and a few of the others, as they are welcomed into the school and told everything they need to know for their first year. Right off the bat, the two are labeled as outcasts and rebels, and it only gets worse from there as they are denied food, a place to sleep, and help from their fellow first years.

An ongoing mystery takes place as the Principal meddles with the school traditions, encouraging history to repeat itself with Bastien, wanting him dealt with in the same manner as the boy from the flashback at the beginning.

I really liked the artwork and overall vibe of this comic. Throughout the story, things don't add up and something feels very off about the school, and especially about the principal, although there is also something else surrounding Bastien. It feels especially weird that even though hazing is illegal in France, that the principal is not only allowing it but actively encouraging it and allowing students who do not take part to be punished. Finding out at the end that he is hoping for another 'accident' to punish Bastien just adds to the unsettling feeling the whole school gives off and the mystery of why. Why would the principal want another student to die? Why is he so adamant that students should take part in the hazing ritual and why is it so extreme when students refuse? Why did he have a problem with Bastien's hair when it wasn't breaking any rules? Why is Bastien seeing a therapist when he doesn't want or seem to need to? Hopefully, these questions are answered in the following installments of the Hell School series.

I really enjoyed this comic and would highly recommend to people who enjoy comics and graphic novels of the same genre.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

'Hell School Volume 1: Rituals' by Dugomier with art by Ers is a graphic novel about outcasts in a school, and a strange hazing ritual.

An elite private school on an island draws elite students as well as a few that don't seem to fit in. Hina and her blue hair and Bastien with his dreads stand out. When the students are told there is an initiation, somehow Bastien and Hina are left out, but that might be a good thing as things are not as they seem at this weird school.

There isn't much to go on here. There is a lot that is hinted at but the story barely gets moving and it's over. Maybe as a complete story arc, it's better, but it was hard to stay interested in this one.

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.

[Rorie Donnatua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cette histoire commence par le meurtre d'un élève par l'un de ses camarades, à l'insu de tous. Dix ans plus tard, nous découvrons Hina et Bastien, deux jeunes rebelles qui refusent de se plier aux règles de leur école d'excellence et notamment de participer au "Rituel" d'initiation des élèves arrivants. Ils seront ensuite joints par Boris, un costaude au grand coeur. Ensemble ils feront front face aux harcèlements de leurs camarades.
Nous sommes tout de suite plongé dans ce mystère qui encercle cette fameuse école. Nous nous attachons vite à ces héros rebelles qui refusent de rentrer dans le rang. Les dessins rappellent ceux de la série Seuls. Un premier tome agréable qui donne envie de lire la suite.
Niveau : A partir de 4e-3e

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a first in a brand new series, "Hell School" sets up premise of a group of students bound by the title, "Bastards" in an elite school that excels in conformity. Rebels starting out and finding their place as the outcasts.
The stage is being set here, will the horrific past repeat itself in order to maintain order?
This is what the reader is left to question after reading this first installment. Here you are introduced to the cast of characters, the school itself and the adults and upper class men who run it.
A short read, but it most certain has me interested and looking forward to the next in the series.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this graphic novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The setting is what most intrigued me to read this graphic novel. A prestigious private school on an island with student rituals. While I was not a fan of the overuse of the word “Bastard” I did enjoy the overall plot. It was a bit confusing and you are not given any real answers, which I’m sure will be explained in the next issue(well I hope it is). The artwork while not my favorite is still very good, and I would like to continue on with the next one, to get some answers.

[Cori // ghostlightbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

What is happening?!

I have to say the art style in this is not my favorite but it kept me hooked the entire time. I thought the characters were compelling and the plot was driving. Though I still have no idea what Hell School actually is, I'm very intrigued to keep reading and find out more. This is a short first installment so I would say be aware that you won't get many answers in this volume. However, I saw that as a plus and I can't wait to read on!

[Imaginarium de Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un groupe d'étudiants arrivent sur un île isolée où se situe une institution scolaire. Une institution quasi militaire où les élèves doivent entrer dans les rangs ou être des bâtards. Bien sûr quelques élèves se rebelle. Hina et Bastien sont des marginaux et leur refus de rentrer dans le rang vont leur faire vivre un enfer. Cette BD pour ado nous maintien dans un mystère sur plusieurs niveaux. Il est donc difficile à me prononcer tant que je ne connaîtrait pas le dénouement. Une lecture à suivre.

[Pop Bop · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Think We're Going Somewhere

This is the first of a three volume set, (all three volumes having just recently been translated from the original French). As you might suspect, it is weighed down by the need to set up the premise, introduce all of the characters, and start the plot in motion.

The premise is that we have a vaguely sinster "Lord of the Flies" sort of school where new kids who do not go along with "the ritual" are ostracized, sometimes with extreme prejudice. It's a bit of a stretch, but you have to start somewhere. We have three strong willed and independent kids who have mysterious-ish backstories, and who won't play ball with the powers that be. That's the book's strong suit, since all three kids have compelling personalities and refreshingly contrarian attitudes. As to the actual story, it looks like we'll find out more about the kids, and we'll investigate what exactly is going on at this creepy school. The threats to the kids are sort of Hitchcock slow-burn, but that suits the overall flow of the narrative.

Between the interesting kids and the various mysteries I'm game to look for the next volume.

The art is not exceptional, but it's crisp and clear and complements the action. It all feels a bit old school, in a comic book kind of style, but this definitely feels like a project where the story, not the art, is intended to be the main draw. Fine by me.

(Please note that I had a chance to read a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Elia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I am definitely intrigued because I have zero idea what is going on here.
Basically, a group of teenagers arrives in a prestigious school in France and they are told that in order to really be part of the student body, they have to participate in an initiation ritual. Hina and Bastien immediately decide they want no part in it, especially after being told they have to change their hair in order to participate (Hina has blue hair and Bastien has dreads).
They are automatically ostracized but are later also joined by a third teen, Boris, who quits mid-ritual after getting into a violent altercation with the leader of the returning students.
Then there is Hannah, a girl who doesn't feel like she fits in because she is secretly only at the school because she is the daughter of one of the teachers and doesn't want the rich kids to find out.
There are a ton of other secrets too: Bastien is an orphan and has no idea who is paying his high tuition... and why are all the adults so damn shady? And what about the students who have died in the past, shortly after the ritual?

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong opening third to a mysterious drama. On an isolated island lies a boarding school, where too much depends on the initiation rituals, both for the children forced to undergo it and the pupil in charge of it. He and his cronies call all the uninitiated "bastards", when of course they are the bastards themselves, and even though we hardly ever see anything of the tasks, obligations or whatever the wannabe pupils have to endure, we can easily imagine some of it. We hardly ever see inside a classroom, either, proving this is a teen school drama like no other. The other two books will undoubtedly reveal more of the tradition behind the whole thing, and a lot more about our three or four rebellious youngsters. On this evidence it's a very intriguing little series – I only wish I had the chance to see the rest to review. Its slightness – this is by no means a long book – means the rest may be a little hampered by the brevity, OTT, or still concealing too much, but I'd hope for a read to match this launch volume.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a first in a brand new series, "Hell School" sets up premise of a group of students bound by the title, "Bastards" in an elite school that excels in conformity. Rebels starting out and finding their place as the outcasts.
The stage is being set here, will the horrific past repeat itself in order to maintain order?
This is what the reader is left to question after reading this first installment. Here you are introduced to the cast of characters, the school itself and the adults and upper class men who run it.
A short read, but it most certain has me interested and looking forward to the next in the series.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The description of the graphic grabbed my attention and so I requested to review it on Netgalley. At first, I was a little underwhelmed but after a few more pages, I was hooked. Once I fully understood what was going on, I devoured the story in less than 15 minutes. I need the next volume like now. What is going to happen to Bastien, Hina and Boris? Is Val going to join their group? What's up with Val's dad? Will someone please punch Franck in the nose because he really irks my nerves!? So many unanswered questions. I'm really looking forward to the rest of this graphic series.

[Philippe Lhoste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Je connais Ers et Dugommier par leur série (abandonnée ?) fantastique Les Démons d'Alexia dans Spirou, Avec un titre pareil, je m'attendais à trouver un univers similaire, mais en fait on a plus une ambiance à la Shutter Island, atmosphère lourde de mystères, non-dits, secrets avec crimes et connivences.

Plus un policier, donc, qu'une BD fantastique.

Dessin efficace, intrigue bien menée, je chercherai la suite.

[KtotheC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not usually a comic reader but I was intrigued by this one. Interesting set up with some nice moments of friendship building and some good hints at things to come along with a bit of a mystery being introduced. I was given a complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review from the publisher and #netgalley

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. I think that Hell School certainly has an interesting concept, but the delivery was lacking for me. I didn’t completely understand it and that could be because of how short it was. I don’t even really understand the point or premise of the school itself. This just wasn’t my cup of tea.

[Niamh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm hooked! If I'm honest I had no clue what was going on the whole time, but now I'm going to be stuck wondering until another volume is released.
I'm thinking it's only going to get weirder from here.
Brainwashing rituals? Murderous students?
I'm so hooked, I cannot wait for the next one.

[Bruno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het begin liet alvast sterk denken aan "L'Ile de Hozuki" van Kei Sanbe; ik ben benieuwd naar deel twee. Van de auteurs van Les démons d'Alexia.