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Max Fridman #2
No Pasaran!
The leftist forces are retreating north as Franco's army advances with the help of German and Italian aviation. Max Friedman approaches the front, posing as a photographer in a small group of foreign journalists. He flashes back to battles fought with his old comrade Guido Treves, who has gone missing and is the object of his mission. Amidst the ruin of war, Claire, the pretty Belgian reporter who got Max his press credentials, is developing a strong attraction to him, arousing the jealousy of her fellow reporter and would-be-boyfriend, Phil Lester. Caught in the middle of a retreat, Max and Claire get separated from the rest of their group. They have to cross a mountain pass and take shelter in a hut -- the romantic tension builds, but gets snuffed by the urgent need to press onward.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Vittorio Giardino
91 books58 followersVittorio Giardino (Bologna, 1946) è un fumettista italiano.
Laureato in ingegneria elettronica intraprende solo in una seconda fase della sua vita la carriera di autore di fumetti e raggiunge progressivamente la maturità artistica sia per la perfetta connotazione del tratto sia per le sue capacità narrative.
Nei suoi racconti è attraversata tutta la storia europea del Novecento, la guerra civile di Spagna, il Nazismo, lo Stalinismo e la sua fine.
Il Nostro Autore, nel suo percorso artistico di maturazione, passa dal genere hard-boiled di Sam Pezzo alla spy-story con venature politiche ed intellettuali di Max Fridman, al fumetto erotico con Little Ego, fino ad arrivare al capolavoro, del quale noi lettori attendiamo il completamento, di Jonas Fink, il romanzo di formazione di un giovane ebreo praghese dal dopoguerra alla caduta del muro.
Con Jonas Fink riceve il premio Alph-Art al salone di Angoulême (1995) e l'Harvey Awards al San Diego Comic Con. (1998).
Laureato in ingegneria elettronica intraprende solo in una seconda fase della sua vita la carriera di autore di fumetti e raggiunge progressivamente la maturità artistica sia per la perfetta connotazione del tratto sia per le sue capacità narrative.
Nei suoi racconti è attraversata tutta la storia europea del Novecento, la guerra civile di Spagna, il Nazismo, lo Stalinismo e la sua fine.
Il Nostro Autore, nel suo percorso artistico di maturazione, passa dal genere hard-boiled di Sam Pezzo alla spy-story con venature politiche ed intellettuali di Max Fridman, al fumetto erotico con Little Ego, fino ad arrivare al capolavoro, del quale noi lettori attendiamo il completamento, di Jonas Fink, il romanzo di formazione di un giovane ebreo praghese dal dopoguerra alla caduta del muro.
Con Jonas Fink riceve il premio Alph-Art al salone di Angoulême (1995) e l'Harvey Awards al San Diego Comic Con. (1998).
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 10, 2023
No Pasaran! Vol. 2: Rio de Sangre
The second volume of Vittorio Giardino's "No Pasaran!" story begins with Max Friedman and Clair going to the battlefield, alongside some other reporters. Max is trying to find his old friend, but things are moving very slowly, as the leftists are losing the war, so more and more obstacles come in their way.
A great continuation of the amazing first volume. In this volume, Giardino perfectly and devastatingly shows the horrible state that the leftist army was at, during this time period, the way that Franco’s fascists kept gaining crucial ground and how inner conflicts damaged the leftist army. A good knowledge of history is undoubtedly significant for one to understand and appreciate Giardino's work, because a lot of things happen without the writer explaining the exact reason, since he expects the reader to already be familiar with some of the events that took place/affected the Spanish Civil War. So, before reading this I certainly suggest doing some research first, in order to enjoy it more. Furthermore, besides the masterful ways that Giardino includes history in his work, he's also amazing that character writing. Every character is very unique and interesting. There are a lot of side characters in this and each one of them is extremely entertaining to read. There's not even a single panel in this comic that's boring or uninteresting. If I have one problem with this volume is that the main story of Max trying to find his friend doesn't progress almost at all. That's ok though, because that way Giardino is able to emphasize more on other things, like Max's character and his past in the war.
The artwork in this comic is once again amazing. I've mentioned before and I'll mention it again, Giardino's line work is absolutely fantastic. Clean lines, with great detail, amazing sense of perspective, depth and structure. Such a talented artist!
Overall, even though this is a bit shorter, it's another amazing volume that perfectly shows the horror of the Spanish Civil War.
9.5/10
The second volume of Vittorio Giardino's "No Pasaran!" story begins with Max Friedman and Clair going to the battlefield, alongside some other reporters. Max is trying to find his old friend, but things are moving very slowly, as the leftists are losing the war, so more and more obstacles come in their way.
A great continuation of the amazing first volume. In this volume, Giardino perfectly and devastatingly shows the horrible state that the leftist army was at, during this time period, the way that Franco’s fascists kept gaining crucial ground and how inner conflicts damaged the leftist army. A good knowledge of history is undoubtedly significant for one to understand and appreciate Giardino's work, because a lot of things happen without the writer explaining the exact reason, since he expects the reader to already be familiar with some of the events that took place/affected the Spanish Civil War. So, before reading this I certainly suggest doing some research first, in order to enjoy it more. Furthermore, besides the masterful ways that Giardino includes history in his work, he's also amazing that character writing. Every character is very unique and interesting. There are a lot of side characters in this and each one of them is extremely entertaining to read. There's not even a single panel in this comic that's boring or uninteresting. If I have one problem with this volume is that the main story of Max trying to find his friend doesn't progress almost at all. That's ok though, because that way Giardino is able to emphasize more on other things, like Max's character and his past in the war.
The artwork in this comic is once again amazing. I've mentioned before and I'll mention it again, Giardino's line work is absolutely fantastic. Clean lines, with great detail, amazing sense of perspective, depth and structure. Such a talented artist!
Overall, even though this is a bit shorter, it's another amazing volume that perfectly shows the horror of the Spanish Civil War.
9.5/10
December 3, 2021
Story: *****
Giardino is such a talented and structured writer who builds suspense and romance expertly and weaves it into a plot that, this time, has you constantly turning back pages to make sure you have a perfect grip of the action as you try to solve it before the main character does.
He's always worthy of praise because he releases and rounds characters with such a smooth motion as he reveals his plot at the appropriate speed. He even knows what to withhold when to keep you from peeking at his hand. The sideline events keep you interested without respite- he makes sure never to waste a character.
Art: *****
He draws about the widest range of characters- meaning both that he draws different nationalities with panache and that none of his characters look nearly the same. He awards with stuff like the burliest moustaches you'll see and bone structures that sort of define a character until you know them better.
He also ->knows<- places, making them lived->in with authenticity down to the minor detail. Also the shapes and variety of the panel structure has you climbing around the pages with the utmost ease and leisure.
Giardino is such a talented and structured writer who builds suspense and romance expertly and weaves it into a plot that, this time, has you constantly turning back pages to make sure you have a perfect grip of the action as you try to solve it before the main character does.
He's always worthy of praise because he releases and rounds characters with such a smooth motion as he reveals his plot at the appropriate speed. He even knows what to withhold when to keep you from peeking at his hand. The sideline events keep you interested without respite- he makes sure never to waste a character.
Art: *****
He draws about the widest range of characters- meaning both that he draws different nationalities with panache and that none of his characters look nearly the same. He awards with stuff like the burliest moustaches you'll see and bone structures that sort of define a character until you know them better.
He also ->knows<- places, making them lived->in with authenticity down to the minor detail. Also the shapes and variety of the panel structure has you climbing around the pages with the utmost ease and leisure.
July 17, 2019
This was a cool graphic novel about Franco and the Spanish Civil War. I’m not familiar with this history at all. Even though there was an intro with some historical context, I did find myself getting a bit lost in terms of what was happening and which side characters were on. However, there were a handful of main characters who were anchoring. Some of the interactions with the female characters felt a bit damsel-in-distress-ish... but perhaps that accurately reflects attitudes at the time? Nice illustrations (though violent, as this is about war).
April 11, 2021
Powerful and emotive tome. The protagonists get closer to the front and the full barbarity of the war. Franco’s fascists are break through. Max and the other journalists meander through treacherous valleys ans snipers to get there.
The storytelling pace intensifies ans the plot unfolds. This is a great middle act. And now to the finale.
Enjoy!
The storytelling pace intensifies ans the plot unfolds. This is a great middle act. And now to the finale.
Enjoy!
October 16, 2017
Absolutely terrific. Exciting story and brilliant artwork.
This is the third book I've read about the Spanish Civil War. They've all been good.
I wish Giardino had a greater lifetime output and that more Americans were familiar with Giardino's work.
This is the third book I've read about the Spanish Civil War. They've all been good.
I wish Giardino had a greater lifetime output and that more Americans were familiar with Giardino's work.
June 2, 2023
Fantastic continuation of a remarkable series, one of the best studies of the Spanish Civil War I've ever read, with fantastic artwork and a gripping story. It reminds me a bit of Orson Welles' THE THIRD MAN, only instead of Vienna it takes place in Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War.
July 25, 2021
7/10
Here is my review of the whole story (No Pasarán volumes 1-to-3, aka Max Friedman volumes 3-to-5).
Here is my review of the whole story (No Pasarán volumes 1-to-3, aka Max Friedman volumes 3-to-5).
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews