Le Dahlia Noir

by Matz (Editor), James Ellroy, Miles Hyman (Illustrator)

Los Angeles Police Department, 1946. Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert fête son premier jour aux Mandats, le prestigieux service où rêvent de travailler la plupart des flics de la Cité des Anges. Il fera équipe avec Leland "Lee" Blanchard, un collègue qui comme lui a été boxeur, et qu'il a déjà affronté sur le ring. Malgré les non-dits, les deux hommes sympathisent. Ils ne savent pas encore qu'il s vont enquêter ensemble sur un crime qui va à la fois les rapprocher et bouleverser leur existence: la mort atroce d'une jeune femme, Elizabeth "Betty" Short, surnommée le Dahlia Noir, dont on retrouve le corps mutilé dans un terrain vague, en janvier 1947...

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Crime, Mystery, Noir, True Crime, Graphic Novels Comics

170 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2013

About the author

"Matz" is the pseudonym for French writer Alexis Nolent. He has written scripts for video games, a novel, and as Matz, a number of comics including Triggerman by Walter Hill. His graphic novel, Du plombe dan la tete a.k.a. Headshot, was adapted into the 2012 film, Bullet To The Head.


See http://www.dargaud.com/bd/Auteurs/Matz for a bio in French.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read Rick Geary's treatment of the Black Dahlia, which focuses as much as possible on the actual unsolved case of Elizabeth Short, and while short, at 79 pages, it is dense and helps you get to know the murdered girl. Or, I think you do. By far better known is James Ellroy's detective novel, which, no, I have not yet read, but this graphic adaptation of his novel has a very different take on Short, makes her out to be a very different kind of woman than the one Geary depicts, though he largely ignores her to focus on the tale of two detectives who got entangled in her case, and came to unfortunate ends.

The publisher of this graphic novel says of it, "In this fictionalized treatment of a real case, Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard, both LA cops obsessed with the Black Dahlia, journey through the seamy underside of Hollywood to the core of the dead girl's twisted life," but I didn't find that to be true. We get more of the core of the two detectives and a web of lives almost everyone involved weaves. In other words, Ellroy takes Short's murder and makes something completely different with it. Something very good, I think, complicated and finally very entertaining, but in this adaptation, wanting in some respects.

This adaptation is created by filmmaker David Fincher (Gone Girl, Seven) and Matz (The Killer), and illustrated my Myles Hyman. There's some of the original dialogue from Ellroy, but there's to much story to tell in what is--admittedly, an ambitious--178 page graphic novel. It's hard to follow, and now I long to read Elroy's story in its full elaboration. The worst thing about this adaptation is the art work from Hyman; it's flat, many of the characters look alike, it's too bright and precise to create the proper noir feel that someone like Sean Phillips (Criminal) can convey. It's still a good story, don't get me wrong, but it just makes you work harder than you want to. On to the straight Ellroy version; I know, it's backwards, but I am going to get to know this story in a few ways (and see the film, if anyone thinks it is any good).

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not really the story of the Black Dahlia, but the story of two detectives, partners, who eventually get involved in the Black Dahlia case. But it's almost more of an aside to their story. The author tries to keep the story authentic to the time period so the book is filled with racial slurs and misogynistic overtones. I think that angle could have been toned down without affecting the story, while it did affect my enjoyment of the story greatly. It's hard to like any of the characters as they continuously make the wrong choices and spout off racial epithets, becoming more and more despicable as the story progresses. The art while having an interesting sepia texture to it was not great. The characters all looked the same and all the men wore the same suits. The only way to tell anyone apart was their hairstyle. I was constantly confused who was who. This was a big disappointment. I'm always wanted to read the L.A. Quartet that this is a part of, but this is a hard miss for me.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, I did nooottt like this one bit. I don't read a lot of noir/crime things, so I always forget how misogynistic and racist they are. I've never read James Ellroy before, so I can't speak to how faithful this adaptation is but I seriously can't even be bothered to care because everything about this grated on me, so I doubt I would like the original work anyway.

First off, I should mention that I thought this would be a non-fiction work about the Black Dahlia; I wasn't aware that this was a adaptation of a fictional work. This definitely messed with my expectations and I was disappointed that this wasn't a non-fiction account.

Secondly, the ART. I'm kind of torn because the colouring is so very nice. It's kind of sepia which fits the ambiance and time period, and the architecture/backgrounds are beautiful, but the way the faces are drawn is SO BAD. The main character looked like a deformed Ken doll or something. Also, and this is a personal thing, but there was a weird amount of sex?? This normally doesn't bother me, but it felt kind of gratuitous imo.

Last thing: while I'm all for polyamorous relationships among consenting adults, the romantic situation in this involving the MC, his bestie and his bestie's wife read as a creepy male fantasy to me. There was so chemistry between the MC and the wife and just, I don't know. It seems to convenient that he and his BFF would share a girlfriend (until their friendship goes to shit).

If you're a fan of the original novel maybe give this a try? Otherwise, this is a hard pass for me.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muss über den Fall der Schwarzen Dahlie überhaupt etwas gesagt werden? Der grausame Mord an Elizabeth Short im L.A. des Jahres 1947 gilt als eines der spektakulärsten Verbrechen Kaliforniens und ist bis heute ungelöst - auch wenn es zahlreiche Theorien und Bücher dazu gibt und einige Autoren meinen, den Fall geklärt zu haben.
Gut zehn Jahre später (am 22. Juni 1958) wurde Ellroys Mutter ermordet, ein weiterer ungeklärter Fall des LAPD, der allerdings nicht so ein Echo in den Medien fand wie der der Dahlie.

In seinen neo-noir Roman THE BLACK DAHLIA hat Ellroy alles reingesteckt, was er an Insiderwissen über Korruption und Verbrechen im LAPD hatte - und das ist beträchtlich (er ist später vom Polizeichef für diese "Aufklärungsarbeit" sogar geehrt worden). Verfilzungen innerhalb der Polizei und Arrangements zwischen korrupten Beamten und der Mafia und Kleinganoven spielen hier genauso eine Rolle wie Drogen und Pornofilmchen, Rache und Leidenschaften.
Bucky Bleichert und Lee Blanchard, beide auch bekannte Boxer, werden Partner in der Fahndungsabteilung des LAPD und hineingezogen in den Strudel des Mordes an der Dahlie, der alles mit sich reißt und zu vernichten droht. Und beide lieben sie die kühle und schöne Kay Lake.
"Cherchez la femme" ist eine der Lebensweisheiten Blanchards, und bei den Ermittlungen eine so sexistische wie tragfähigen Hypothese, denn Kay ist nicht der einzige Liebeshandel, in den sich die Ermittler verstricken. Über allem aber schwebt das Geheimnis Liz Shorts, dem sich kaum einer entziehen kann, der in ihren Sog geraten ist.
Eine rückhaltlose Aufklärung des Falls würde für die Cops, die beileibe keine Saubermänner sind - vor allem Lee hat reichlich Dreck am Stecken -, massivste Konsequenzen haben, von denen der Rausschmiß bei der Polizei noch das kleinste Problem wäre. Und doch ermittelt Bucky zwanghaft weiter...
Ellroys Roman ist so düster, intensiv und vielschichtig, dass mir dafür kaum Vergleichsgrößen einfallen - außer Nic Pizzolattos erster Staffel von TRUE DETECTIVE, die mich ebenfalls total umgeschmissen hat.

Matz und David Fincher haben sich an Ellroys Roman herangewagt und daraus eine Graphic Novel gemacht, die dem großen Noir-Roman gerecht wird und Ellroys Lob gefunden hat: "Fantastic work"! Auf 164 Seiten gelingt es ihnen, Stimmung und Komplexität der Vorlage ins Medium des Comics zu übertragen. Und obwohl die Panels nicht vom Text erdrückt werden (wie es z.B. bei den frühen Blake & Mortimer Comics zu sehen; ich bin der Auffassung, dass beim Comic der Inhalt wesentlich von der Artwork transportiert werden muss), hatte ich beim Lesen sofort das Gefühl, eine extrem dicht gewobene Story erzählt zu bekommen, die sofort in den Bann zieht.
An die Zeichnungen von Miles Hyman musste ich mich zunächst etwas gewöhnen, aber meine anfänglichen Vorbehalte finde ich nachträglich beim nochmaligen Durchblättern nicht mehr bestätigt. Ein kleines Manko ist, dass auf einigen Zeichnungen die Gesichter zu ähnlich aussehen und es zu Verwechslungen kommen kann, wenn man nicht aufmerksam genug ist - aber das sollte man ja sein, und so ist auch dieser Vorbehalt zu vernachlässigen.


Fazit: Auch wer Ellroys Roman und die fantastische Verfilmung der Dahlie von Brian de Palma kennt, wird an dieser Graphic Novel noch seine Freude haben, und alle anderen Noir-Liebhaber sowieso. Unbedingt empfehlenswert!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I will start by saying I have not the original book (something I plan on correcting as soon as possible) so please understand that my comments are based on this book alone.

So how did I come across this title - that was simple I had read another graphic novel interpretation - The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson - and was really impressed by the artwork and like me I looked them up and which brought me here, and I have to say I am very impressed as well.

So what we have here is a version of the classic noir crime story full of larger than life characters, iconic locations and fill with scandal and sex and violence - I would say a classic but then again it already was.

So what can I add that either does not give spoilers or just reflects the original. I guess for me graphic novel interpretations of books (as compared to original work) is a dangerous things since you run the risk of losing or even ruining the original themes and descriptions the original author was trying to convey and here my original statement about not having read the original really comes in to play. So really all I can say is that I really enjoyed it with all its twists and turns and I think it has respected the original admirably.

[Josée · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find this graphic novel "gripping" at all.

Instead of a crime fiction with mystery or intrigue, the plot was mainly about the detective. After about 30 pages where we learn about his boxing career, I settled in to try and enjoy something closer to a biopic. It worked for a bit, but then nothing else happened besides a guy having sex and the ending just turned me off completely.

Art wise, it's okay, but I have a major problem with the faces beingcompletely forgettable. I liked the colours and the art was certainly distinctive in its style, yet every character had near identical faces. Another issue is that the nudity, which felt gratuitous and was definitely slanted towards women (didn't even see a man's butt, c'mon), had the same problem in that every naked woman had the same body. I felt this made an already lack of interest in the plot worse.

So, overall, it was disappointing.

[Mateen Mahboubi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having recently been listening to the Hollywood and Crime podcast which has so far been focusing on the Black Dahlia deaths, I was interested in exploring the case from a different source and seeing this released made me interested in seeking it out. Unfortunately it left me disappointed. I didn't know about the original James Ellroy book but this just uses the death of Elizabeth Short to tell a fictional tale about two investigators. A bit too fiction for my liking and not particularly interestingly illustrated.

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the original Ellroy novel, but this appears to be a strong adaptation of that book. Despite any potential fidelity issues, the narrative presented (adapted by Matz and David Fincher) is compelling, highly textured, and enthralling. We're discussing this book on an upcoming episode of The Comics Alternative podcast.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a tough time following who was who because of the art. Too many people looked like someone else, plus the back and forth on first and last names made it difficult as well.

Also since the murder was never solved this is kind of a cop out.

[Antje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Buch macht vom Einband und Titelbild schon einiges her und lädt geradezu zum Aufschlagen ein. Ich war auch positiv überrascht darüber, endlich eine farbige Graphic Novel auf hochwertigeren Papier als gewöhnlich genießen zu dürfen. Die Zeichnungen an sich, vor allem die Gesichter der Protagonisten, empfand ich als gewöhnungsbedürftig, da sämtliche Gesichtszüge brutal und unmenschlich wirkten. Außerdem verwirrte die große Ähnlichkeit. In Anbetracht der korrupten Handlung konnte ich mich gen Ende allerdings mit beiden Faktoren arrangieren.

Die Geschichte beginnt verhältnismäßig ruhig, um bald richtig an Fahrt aufzunehmen, so dass es mir unmöglich war, das Buch aus der Hand zu legen und ich erfahren musste, wie der Ausgang sein würde. Die Auflösung des Falls überraschte mich immerhin. Doch blieb mir die Begeisterung oder "Liebe" des Erzählers für Elizabeth Short schleierhaft. So wurde ich manchmal das Gefühl nicht los, Betty wurde mit Kay vom Texter verwechselt. Oder aber ich muss nun wirklich einmal zu James Ellroys Roman greifen, um dort die emotionalen Zusammenhänge besser zu begreifen.

[Sunsettowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a recently released graphic novel, and a really well-done one. I read it in one day, not wanting to put it down.

If you have read James Ellroy's novel, you will be familiar with the storyline, as this graphic novel is adapted from that novel. The Black Dahlia is narrated by a cop, who has his life turned upside down when he and his partner are brought in to help investigate the Black Dahlia murder.

Ellroy takes the true crime of the Black Dahlia, and puts his own spin on it. Where he takes it can sometimes go a bit off the rails, but he makes it work, and the graphic novel keeps that spirit. The artistry of the illustrations is really excellent, and makes you feel like you are right in the noir.

I would definitely recommend this graphic novel.

[Viktor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could barely tell all of the characters apart, and there's a whole lot of "tell don't show" in the end. I really liked the first 2/3 or so, but then it had to catch up to the story and finish it with lots of tell tell tell. Needed 4 or 5 more issues.

[Cadie Holmes · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this one. I tend to enjoy true crime graphic novels but this one...nope. Very little of the book was spent on the crime. Most was about blackmail and police corruption, sex and obsession.

[Louie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hm, I wonder how close to the movie/novel this was, because now I want to watch/read them.

[Sbstiao · Rating 1 out of 5]

Women are only prostitutes, non-white people only drug dealers or pimps. Who feels the need to reproduce such a story in the 21st century is either ignorant or racist. Probably both.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay comics adaptation by Matz, David Fincher, and illustrator Miles Hyman of James Elroy's crime novel of the same name. There's also better film versions of the story, and better, more informative, non-fiction versions, and this one is a decent short story version but too short; a way in to the story, I guess, but I would just go long and read the novel or something else if you are interested in the sensational actual events, then see one or two film versions of the story.

[skylar lokota · Rating 1 out of 5]

Racism, misogyny, and police brutality — oh my

I did not enjoy any part of this. I thought I was getting a twist on the Black Dahlia case, but I just got corrupt cops and a lot of nude women for the sake of there being nude women on the page. Not a fun time.

[Becky Loader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in the artwork. I have read several interpretations of the Black Dahlia story, and I was looking forward to seeing the graphics.

[Jeannette Michelsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would have given this atrocity 0 stars if it was an option. This was a slow and boring read that was more about the detective than about the murder or the Black Dahlia. Yet another disappointing adaptation for this case; nobody can seem to get it right. The art was just as disappointing as the story and I was glad to finish it as quickly as possible.

[Aurora · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely disrespectful to an actual person who was murdered. Make up your own nonsense conspiracy story. Also, racist and really gross towards women.

[Connor]

Really spectacular artwork that adds to the feeling of time period

[Mayu Vargas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esta "La Dalia negra" es la versión en novela gráfica de la obra de James Ellroy , con Miles Hyman de ilustrador, el comienzo se me hizo largo, pero a medida que avanza la historia mejora bastante, espero leer el libro. 🖤

[Koji Arsua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could have been shorter but it’s a fascinating take on a famous murder

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Black Dahlia is based on the book by James Ellroy which is a fictionalised account of a real crime that occurring in the 1940s. If you are a fan of noir, this story may appeal. The graphic novel flows well for an adaptation, though I wasn't overly impressed with the artwork. While competent, it is rather stiff and the characters often look quite similar. Additionally, as with many noirs, your tolerance for misogyny, racism, and people generally sucking must be high as that comes with much of the genre. It's a violent book, though the plot is delightfully complex. I am not sure how I feel about the fact that it is a fictionalised account of a real person's murder, a fact I found out only after I finished reading.

[Xisix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scintillating tale of Elizabeth Short. What's interesting is that story focuses on police officers assigned to case and like a detective tale the details gradually are uncovered. Blood swirling down a drain. Enjoyed the read and makes want to read more on the case. Sleazy true crime with a brutal icon. Black Dahlia becomes a symbol.

[Keelin Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is great but I didn't realize that this was basically just like the movie. I did not put two and two together and was disappointed that this was the fictional story of the Black Dahlia and not like an actual trying to figure out what happened to her. But that's on me, cuz I'm an idiot lol

[Comics Alternative · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://comicsalternative.com/episode-...

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't quite translate to the medium

I liked it. I followed it for the most part. I felt like the tale was too big for comic books and the characterization was flat.

[elle vivian · Rating 1 out of 5]

this was so racist for literally no reason

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly haven’t read the Ellroy novel (or any Ellroy novel tbph) but comparing its synopsis with the plot of this graphic adaptation suggests that, while mostly a faithful reproduction of the plot, Matz and Fincher exclude or streamline some of the more compelling subplots and symbolism that better clarify the work’s central thesis: a darkly romantic vision of humanity as slaves to the passions, their logics and customs patched together over a dark animal subconscious as Ellroy’s City of Angels is built on a hotbed of corruption and thuggery.

While perhaps dumbed down from Ellroy’s vision (which has itself been assessed and critiqued elsewhere), the book - allegedly influenced by David Fincher’s unrealized adaptation, which would eventually become Brian De Palma’s much-maligned adaptation - is of obvious interest to cinephiles, just as its style and subject matter are of obvious interest to the director of SE7EN and ZODIAC. The pacing and structuring combined with the storyboard-like art create a plausible approximation of what a 150-180 minute adaptation by Fincher might have looked like, meaning it’s a brisk and propulsive read with somewhat abstracted images (particularly, as many have noted, the characters’ faces) and sepia-style coloring inviting you to imagine the performances, lighting, digital picture treatment and camera cuts of a full motion picture. (Also some very leery spread panels of sex and female nudity, which I chalk up to French men like Matz and Hyman having little shame about that sort of thing compared to Americans.)

Might be unfair to assess a graphic novel in comparison to a nonexistent film, but the neatly laid strip-like panels together with its production history and the name on the hardcover kind of beg the comparison. It’s a good read, albeit one trapped in the respective shadows of the source material and adaptation it isn’t.