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Trillium #1-8
Trillium
Award-winning and fan favorite comics creator Jeff Lemire spins the tale of two star-crossed loved through space in time in TRILLIUM!
It's the year 3797, and botanist Nika Temsmith is researching a strange species on a remote science station near the outermost rim of colonized space.
It's the year 1921, and renowned English explorer William Pike leads an expedition into the dense jungles of Peru in search of the fabled "Lost Temple of the Incas," an elusive sanctuary said to have strange healing properties.
Two disparate souls separated by thousands of years and hundreds of millions of miles. Yet they will fall in love and, as a result, bring about the end of the universe. Even though reality is unraveling all around them, nothing can pull them apart. This isn't just a love story, it's the LAST love story ever told.
Collects TRILLIUM #1-8.
It's the year 3797, and botanist Nika Temsmith is researching a strange species on a remote science station near the outermost rim of colonized space.
It's the year 1921, and renowned English explorer William Pike leads an expedition into the dense jungles of Peru in search of the fabled "Lost Temple of the Incas," an elusive sanctuary said to have strange healing properties.
Two disparate souls separated by thousands of years and hundreds of millions of miles. Yet they will fall in love and, as a result, bring about the end of the universe. Even though reality is unraveling all around them, nothing can pull them apart. This isn't just a love story, it's the LAST love story ever told.
Collects TRILLIUM #1-8.
192 pages, Paperback
First published August 12, 2014
66 people are currently reading
2420 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lemire
1,395 books3,872 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 589 reviews
August 24, 2018
High-concept science fiction meets pulpy explorer adventure in this creator-owned effort by Jeff Lemire, and as the narrative progresses, the boundary between highbrow and lowbrow entertainment gradually dissolves - as do many other boundaries: the ones between us and them, now and then, here and there... I generally tend to enjoy the deconstruction of concepts such as genre, time and identity, but what makes Trillium such a uniquely transcendental reading experience is the way in which the comic-book format itself participates in the deconstruction process.
Trillium is one of Lemire’s most ambitious projects to date, yet its trip to the stars is anchored in very real, relatable human emotions. Lemire himself puts it this way: “With Trillium, I am trying to tell a really small, really human love story, but set against a big cosmic backdrop.” He succeeds admirably. Here’s hoping he will continue to reach for the stars!
Trillium is one of Lemire’s most ambitious projects to date, yet its trip to the stars is anchored in very real, relatable human emotions. Lemire himself puts it this way: “With Trillium, I am trying to tell a really small, really human love story, but set against a big cosmic backdrop.” He succeeds admirably. Here’s hoping he will continue to reach for the stars!
January 11, 2015
In the 38th century humanity is on the ropes. A sentient virus called The Caul is wiping us out and only a few thousand humans remain, pushed far away from Earth in a desperate bid for survival. On a distant planet called Atabithi, botanist Nika Tensmith believes she has found the cure in a native flower called Trillium but needs to win over the inhabitants, who protect their crop within a temple compound, to harvest enough for a cure.
Just as The Caul begins to make it’s way to their spacelab, Nika’s gets a break and the Atabithians invite her in to sample Trillium - with unexpected results. Suddenly Nika discovers herself transported to 1921 where she meets William Pike, a former soldier suffering from PTSD, on a exploration mission to South America where he and his group are hunting for a flower that could potentially grant immortality. But, as both Nika and William are going to discover, there’s much more to Trillium than that...
Barring his work-for-hire New 52 comics which are uniformly terrible, I’m a big fan of Jeff Lemire’s work. Essex County was a masterpiece, The Underwater Welder, The Nobody, and Lost Dogs were all fantastic, and Sweet Tooth, though it had its ups and downs, had plenty of good moments to recommend it. So it’s disappointing for me to say that Trillium is the first of his “indie” comics that I really disliked.
Definitely the biggest problem was the love story. Trillium sets itself up as a romance/sci-fi comic though the romance is much more heavily emphasised, being the motivation behind both main character’s actions. And it’s so unconvincing! Two strangers randomly meet in the middle of nowhere, they’re together - at most - a couple hours, they eat the Trillium petals which transfers their memories to each other, and suddenly they’re deeply in love and their whole reason for being is finding each other again.
That’s not some “epic star-crossed lovers romance” - strangers meeting, doing drugs together, and trying to get off with one another is called clubbing!
The sci-fi elements are cliched and ripped off from other, better sci-fi stories. Native blue aliens who live like primitive Earth cultures - that’s never been done before, right? Oh, except in Avatar, the highest grossing movie of all time! Steampunk Victorian London? Never seen that before except in a million other things! And how about that ending where the spaceship crashes into the other spaceship to save the main characters? You mean the exact same ending in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus? Yup! We don’t know what happens in black holes so maybe anything is possible? Like in Kubrick’s 2001? YUP!!! Is anything in this story original!? Nope!
Lemire tries out upside down panels in this book to show the parallels between Nika and William’s stories but let’s just call this what it is: gimmicky. There’s no reason you should have to be turning the book upside down to read some sequences. It’s the visual equivalent of the forced romance to make it seem like the book has a heart: the flimsiest of veneers to make it seem like what he’s doing is creatively different and important - and it’s not.
Nika’s mother’s death was laughable. We’ve mastered intergalactic space travel in the future but don’t have the tech to know when a massive meteor shower is on the way to warn us when it’s probably not a good idea to go out for a space walk? Ditto William’s brother’s death which was shocking because of how little I cared when I saw him blown up. Oh - was that meant to be emotional for me? Because I honestly didn’t know who he was most of the time - he was a talking moustache who yelled at William every now and then. He was a “character”?
I’m not really sure why William’s past as a soldier in WW1 was mentioned besides giving him a backstory that seemed interesting. I think Lemire was going for a “is this really happening or is it in William’s messed up PTSD head” idea but it was so half-assed, there was no question that it was really happening.
I’ll give Lemire this: his art in Trillium is his best work that I’ve seen so far - I’m one of those who enjoys his art. I know it’s quite divisive, and I can appreciate that it’s unusual, but it’s certainly his own art style and I really like it. Lemire and Jose Villarrubia’s colours are very strong too.
But that’s about all I can say I enjoyed about Trillium. It’s a boring, unimaginative - yes, despite it’s time-travel/role reversals, I didn’t see anything here that I haven’t seen before - comic that never goes beneath the surface of its shallow story. It’s really surprising actually that Trillium is from the same creator who gave us Essex County - a raw, powerful story about small town Canadian townspeople - that shows, while his art has improved, his storytelling and writing have gotten much, much worse, almost as if this were his first effort rather than his most recent.
Just as The Caul begins to make it’s way to their spacelab, Nika’s gets a break and the Atabithians invite her in to sample Trillium - with unexpected results. Suddenly Nika discovers herself transported to 1921 where she meets William Pike, a former soldier suffering from PTSD, on a exploration mission to South America where he and his group are hunting for a flower that could potentially grant immortality. But, as both Nika and William are going to discover, there’s much more to Trillium than that...
Barring his work-for-hire New 52 comics which are uniformly terrible, I’m a big fan of Jeff Lemire’s work. Essex County was a masterpiece, The Underwater Welder, The Nobody, and Lost Dogs were all fantastic, and Sweet Tooth, though it had its ups and downs, had plenty of good moments to recommend it. So it’s disappointing for me to say that Trillium is the first of his “indie” comics that I really disliked.
Definitely the biggest problem was the love story. Trillium sets itself up as a romance/sci-fi comic though the romance is much more heavily emphasised, being the motivation behind both main character’s actions. And it’s so unconvincing! Two strangers randomly meet in the middle of nowhere, they’re together - at most - a couple hours, they eat the Trillium petals which transfers their memories to each other, and suddenly they’re deeply in love and their whole reason for being is finding each other again.
That’s not some “epic star-crossed lovers romance” - strangers meeting, doing drugs together, and trying to get off with one another is called clubbing!
The sci-fi elements are cliched and ripped off from other, better sci-fi stories. Native blue aliens who live like primitive Earth cultures - that’s never been done before, right? Oh, except in Avatar, the highest grossing movie of all time! Steampunk Victorian London? Never seen that before except in a million other things! And how about that ending where the spaceship crashes into the other spaceship to save the main characters? You mean the exact same ending in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus? Yup! We don’t know what happens in black holes so maybe anything is possible? Like in Kubrick’s 2001? YUP!!! Is anything in this story original!? Nope!
Lemire tries out upside down panels in this book to show the parallels between Nika and William’s stories but let’s just call this what it is: gimmicky. There’s no reason you should have to be turning the book upside down to read some sequences. It’s the visual equivalent of the forced romance to make it seem like the book has a heart: the flimsiest of veneers to make it seem like what he’s doing is creatively different and important - and it’s not.
Nika’s mother’s death was laughable. We’ve mastered intergalactic space travel in the future but don’t have the tech to know when a massive meteor shower is on the way to warn us when it’s probably not a good idea to go out for a space walk? Ditto William’s brother’s death which was shocking because of how little I cared when I saw him blown up. Oh - was that meant to be emotional for me? Because I honestly didn’t know who he was most of the time - he was a talking moustache who yelled at William every now and then. He was a “character”?
I’m not really sure why William’s past as a soldier in WW1 was mentioned besides giving him a backstory that seemed interesting. I think Lemire was going for a “is this really happening or is it in William’s messed up PTSD head” idea but it was so half-assed, there was no question that it was really happening.
I’ll give Lemire this: his art in Trillium is his best work that I’ve seen so far - I’m one of those who enjoys his art. I know it’s quite divisive, and I can appreciate that it’s unusual, but it’s certainly his own art style and I really like it. Lemire and Jose Villarrubia’s colours are very strong too.
But that’s about all I can say I enjoyed about Trillium. It’s a boring, unimaginative - yes, despite it’s time-travel/role reversals, I didn’t see anything here that I haven’t seen before - comic that never goes beneath the surface of its shallow story. It’s really surprising actually that Trillium is from the same creator who gave us Essex County - a raw, powerful story about small town Canadian townspeople - that shows, while his art has improved, his storytelling and writing have gotten much, much worse, almost as if this were his first effort rather than his most recent.
June 6, 2017
If you like straightforward constructions, architecture that is pleasing to the eye and that makes sense, a building that is not pretending to be anything other than a building, hallways straight and doors easily opened... then this is not the book for you. If you like a little Gaudi, a little Sarah Winchester, a lot of whimsy, a folly disguised as a building, hallways crooked and doors that resist opening and when they do, sometimes lead to nowhere... then this is your book.
Trillium is above all things a love story. If you don't like love stories, avoid this. If you like love stories, this still may not be for you. Lemire makes a strange kind of love.
Narrative winding and collapsing in upon itself, turned inside out. Science fiction and alternate timelines, done darkly. The design is brilliant, with the pièce de résistance being the central issue, where time is started anew and characters trade places. We follow their separate but linked narratives panel by panel, one atop the other (you literally have to turn the comic upside down to read the bottom narrative), one starting when the other is ending, the separate panels commenting on the panel above or below. Amazing!
Despite the admirably naked emotion on display, all of the intelligence and creativity, the brilliance of Trillium's design... unfortunately 1 star docked because I found the art to be almost unbearably ugly. I know that this is the Lemire style - and it is an original, idiosyncratic one for sure. But it was hard on my eyes. Sorry?
Trillium is above all things a love story. If you don't like love stories, avoid this. If you like love stories, this still may not be for you. Lemire makes a strange kind of love.
Narrative winding and collapsing in upon itself, turned inside out. Science fiction and alternate timelines, done darkly. The design is brilliant, with the pièce de résistance being the central issue, where time is started anew and characters trade places. We follow their separate but linked narratives panel by panel, one atop the other (you literally have to turn the comic upside down to read the bottom narrative), one starting when the other is ending, the separate panels commenting on the panel above or below. Amazing!
Despite the admirably naked emotion on display, all of the intelligence and creativity, the brilliance of Trillium's design... unfortunately 1 star docked because I found the art to be almost unbearably ugly. I know that this is the Lemire style - and it is an original, idiosyncratic one for sure. But it was hard on my eyes. Sorry?
April 27, 2014
A sci-fi romance, filled with lots of attractions. A woman from 3727 and a guy from 1921 (on an expedition to the Lost Temple of the Incas) meet, there's time travel, and too many spoilers going on to even write a decent review since almost no one reading this will have read it (thanks, Greg Mannix!). But it involves the telling of two tales, one hers, one his, and you have to sometimes proceed forward and sometimes backwards, you sometimes have to turn it upside down to read the other story… which made it mostly interesting as an experiment in using the strengths (and limitations) of the medium for telling simultaneous stories. As usual, Lemire brings heart and character to this set of interlinked tales, and this is beautifully done. I loved his Sweet Tooth, which was sometimes very violent and kind of weirdly disturbing, but because we get to know the characters over time, our feelings deepen more, we get to know them all so well and care for them. This is short, like 8 separate comic issues, so it feels more like a sci-fi/romance parable, a short story, vs a novel, so am adjusting my response to this shorter arc, but it's very, very good.
And to the people who don't seem to like the way he draws? A lot of people don't like the way Dylan or Tom Waits sing: "can't sing a lick," they say, and I think they are terrific, singers with heart, not Sinatra or Elvis Presley, but singers with grit and soul, and though Lemire is not exactly THAT good, maybe, I think of him as more intuitive, more visceral, not slick. I like Saga, but that art work, while accomplished, is slick and glossy in comparison. I like both, for different effects. This one, in part because of the art, feels more real, more human, richer. The narrative here feels a little slight, but in a way no less inventive than Saga. Not as witty or clever or funny, but maybe with more heart.
And to the people who don't seem to like the way he draws? A lot of people don't like the way Dylan or Tom Waits sing: "can't sing a lick," they say, and I think they are terrific, singers with heart, not Sinatra or Elvis Presley, but singers with grit and soul, and though Lemire is not exactly THAT good, maybe, I think of him as more intuitive, more visceral, not slick. I like Saga, but that art work, while accomplished, is slick and glossy in comparison. I like both, for different effects. This one, in part because of the art, feels more real, more human, richer. The narrative here feels a little slight, but in a way no less inventive than Saga. Not as witty or clever or funny, but maybe with more heart.
May 11, 2023
Lemire has always been consistently good (not quite great) in the past. I think this is his first major fumble (I've read all his published books except some of his DC stuff).
The book has an attractive look and the color definitely brings out the best in Lemire's unique, sketchy artwork.
I hated the flipped format of reading the book. I understand it aesthetically and it introduces a physical element to the story-telling. The reader can get disoriented and physically feel the strange time/space-warps and the perspectives of the two main characters. However, it was simply annoying to read; it took me out of the book and made me aware of my surroundings, and made me all too aware that I was just reading a comic - and not living a story.
The story itself has some interesting bits, some boring bits, the overall story arc is boring. The ending is obvious, desperately romantic, and falsely sentimental. He seems to try and force his usual love story antics onto a silly sci-fi adventure, and fails to create a real emotional response in the reader.
For fans only.
The book has an attractive look and the color definitely brings out the best in Lemire's unique, sketchy artwork.
I hated the flipped format of reading the book. I understand it aesthetically and it introduces a physical element to the story-telling. The reader can get disoriented and physically feel the strange time/space-warps and the perspectives of the two main characters. However, it was simply annoying to read; it took me out of the book and made me aware of my surroundings, and made me all too aware that I was just reading a comic - and not living a story.
The story itself has some interesting bits, some boring bits, the overall story arc is boring. The ending is obvious, desperately romantic, and falsely sentimental. He seems to try and force his usual love story antics onto a silly sci-fi adventure, and fails to create a real emotional response in the reader.
For fans only.
January 6, 2018
A mind-boggling tale of interstellar love and multiversity, in watercolor.
October 2, 2014
This was... It was something. Weird, trippy, mind bending, all of that. It has travel in time and relative dimension in space (I had to, just deal with it) and alternate realities and a sentient, malicious virus and... And yet, somehow, with all of that going on, it doesn't feel overcrowded, or like any of the concepts are being shortchanged. That alone is quite a feat.
But, and this is where I get kind of shallow... I don't really care for Lemire's art. I can't really explain why, exactly, it just doesn't appeal to me. I know it's a little shallow, but I'm sure I would have liked it more with art that's more appealing to me.
But, and this is where I get kind of shallow... I don't really care for Lemire's art. I can't really explain why, exactly, it just doesn't appeal to me. I know it's a little shallow, but I'm sure I would have liked it more with art that's more appealing to me.
March 17, 2019
Great sci-fi story. Lemire's art is a little weird but like Sweet Tooth it fits the story.
January 23, 2022
Lyn and Jeff sit on a roof, passing a smoke back and forth and discussing, among other things, Jeff’s 2014 graphic novel Trillium.
Lyn: koff koff koff! DAMN! Son, that is some Cheech and Chong grade smoke!
Jeff: Got it from a friend of mine in Manitoba, indigenous!
Lyn: Homegrown? Wow! Koff koff koff
Jeff: Well, there’s some sophisticated hydroponics and lighting going on. I can get you some.
Lyn: koff koff! Never mind, thanks but I live in Tennessee and it’s still illegal.
Jeff: Really??
Lyn: Oh yeah, I used to joke that we’d be the 50th state to come around and here we are, I think we’re 46 and counting, koff koff, so Jeff – Trillium!
Jeff: Yes, my friend, Trillium!
Lyn: How much of this did you smoke before or while doing that?
Jeff: DUDE! That thing wrote itself, you liked?
Lyn: I did like it, yes, but it’s weird.
Jeff: So weird! Nika is from the 37th century, and she’s in outer space and it’s the end of humanity and she finds an alien pyramid and it connects with a pyramid in Central America, teleportation, time travel, she meets a British WWI veteran who has severe PTSD …
Lyn: Undiagnosed and untreated.
Jeff: Right! And the aliens know the locals …
Lyn: Who are helping to guard the secret to the pyramids.
Jeff: Right!
Lyn: One of the characters is named Pohl, was that an homage to Frederik Pohl?
Jeff: DUDE! How are you the only one to get that? I thought it was too obvious.
Lyn: I liked. Were you inspired by legends of ancient aliens?
Jeff: Sort of, finding hieroglyphics on cave walls and in temples made me think of some of this, like what if all that came from aliens or time traveling humans from the far future.
Lyn: I liked how you addressed the change in languages, I mean 1500 years later, they likely wouldn’t understand each other.
Jeff: Effective communication and being able to relate to others was a big part of the message I was sending out.
Lyn: Message received!
[both laugh]
Lyn: koff koff So is this a love story?
Jeff: Yes, absolutely, and between two very different people, at least on the surface, turns out they actually have some common ground.
Lyn: We all do.
Jeff: DUDE! You’re so right.
Lyn: Also some alternate reality thrown in, I liked that too.
Jeff: Alternating realities is fun. Ha!
Lyn: Anyway, I really liked it. So … how do we get down? I’m ready for some tacos!
Lyn: koff koff koff! DAMN! Son, that is some Cheech and Chong grade smoke!
Jeff: Got it from a friend of mine in Manitoba, indigenous!
Lyn: Homegrown? Wow! Koff koff koff
Jeff: Well, there’s some sophisticated hydroponics and lighting going on. I can get you some.
Lyn: koff koff! Never mind, thanks but I live in Tennessee and it’s still illegal.
Jeff: Really??
Lyn: Oh yeah, I used to joke that we’d be the 50th state to come around and here we are, I think we’re 46 and counting, koff koff, so Jeff – Trillium!
Jeff: Yes, my friend, Trillium!
Lyn: How much of this did you smoke before or while doing that?
Jeff: DUDE! That thing wrote itself, you liked?
Lyn: I did like it, yes, but it’s weird.
Jeff: So weird! Nika is from the 37th century, and she’s in outer space and it’s the end of humanity and she finds an alien pyramid and it connects with a pyramid in Central America, teleportation, time travel, she meets a British WWI veteran who has severe PTSD …
Lyn: Undiagnosed and untreated.
Jeff: Right! And the aliens know the locals …
Lyn: Who are helping to guard the secret to the pyramids.
Jeff: Right!
Lyn: One of the characters is named Pohl, was that an homage to Frederik Pohl?
Jeff: DUDE! How are you the only one to get that? I thought it was too obvious.
Lyn: I liked. Were you inspired by legends of ancient aliens?
Jeff: Sort of, finding hieroglyphics on cave walls and in temples made me think of some of this, like what if all that came from aliens or time traveling humans from the far future.
Lyn: I liked how you addressed the change in languages, I mean 1500 years later, they likely wouldn’t understand each other.
Jeff: Effective communication and being able to relate to others was a big part of the message I was sending out.
Lyn: Message received!
[both laugh]
Lyn: koff koff So is this a love story?
Jeff: Yes, absolutely, and between two very different people, at least on the surface, turns out they actually have some common ground.
Lyn: We all do.
Jeff: DUDE! You’re so right.
Lyn: Also some alternate reality thrown in, I liked that too.
Jeff: Alternating realities is fun. Ha!
Lyn: Anyway, I really liked it. So … how do we get down? I’m ready for some tacos!
October 13, 2014
Time-hopping shenanigans, a persistent and rather dickish sentient mega-virus, World War I horror paired with far-distant space age hopelessness, reality-bending flowers, blue alien natives with a mystical Incan vibe, a droll A.I., roughly drawn yet weirdly attractive star-crossed leads, all of this and probably more that I am forgetting about go into the comic book crockpot and make for an alluring puzzle of high-concept science fiction. While no curtains are really ever hoisted aside for moments of jaw-dropping revelation, Lemire's panache for intriguing characters, metafictional games, innovative narrative tricks, and uncompromising style makes for a heck of a read, even if I had no idea what it all meant (still don't) by the time I flipped the last page (although clues supposedly await those who wish to use the codex at book's back to decode the garbled symbols that serve as the aliens' language; personally, as a pretty pessimistic party pooper about life, I'm happy to embrace a few mysteries in my fiction).
June 25, 2021
4.0 Stars
This was a beautiful and emotional scifi romance that tackles the classic trope of lovers stuck between time. Jeff Lemire's artwork isn't for everyone but his style has really grown on me. The graphic novel format really brought this story to life.
This was a beautiful and emotional scifi romance that tackles the classic trope of lovers stuck between time. Jeff Lemire's artwork isn't for everyone but his style has really grown on me. The graphic novel format really brought this story to life.
August 24, 2014
Wow what a trippy books this is, I'll probably need to read it a few more times to fully comprehend what exactly is happening but what I got from it is just awesome. This book is just fun w/ a capitol "F" and the whole time I couldn't help but think that this premise would make a great sci-fi movie. If you're looking for an unexpected sci-fi love story (yes at it's core it's a love story) this is the book for you.
September 27, 2021
Сьогодні на столі лежить комікс у жанрі наукової фантастики «Тріліум» («Trillium»). І знову з фірмовим художнім стилем Джеффа Леміра (if you know what I mean). Але допомагав йому колорист Хозе Вілларрубіа, який, на мою думку, гарно розфарбував та витягнув малюнок на вищий рівень. Те саме він зробив із коміксом «Ласун» («Sweet Tooth») про три делюкси якого я вже розповідав.
Далеке майбутнє. 38 століття, де людство стоїть на волосинці свого існування. Розумний вірус під назвою Каул швидко знищує їхнє існування і залишилося лише кілька тисяч людей, віддалених дуже далеко від Землі у відчайдушних спробах вижити. На далекій планеті під назвою Атабіті, ботанічка Ніка Тенсміт вважає, що знайшла ліки у квітці тріліум на цьому космічному тілі. Але їй потрібно завоювати довіру місцевих мешканців, раси атабітів, яка веде закритий спосіб життя, і, які боронять свій урожай біля загадкового храму від усіх чужинців.
Але все змінюється, як тільки Каул починає пробиратися до їхньої космічної лабораторії, тому Ніка вирішує діяти на випередження, щоби не забирати квіти силою, а спробувати потрапити всередину цього обмеженого для інших поселення. Атабіти запрошують її скуштувати тріліум — і несподівані результати не забарилися. Раптом Ніка виявляє, що перенесена в зовсім іншу обстановку, де зустрічає Вільяма Пайка, колишнього солдата, що страждає на ПТС, під час пошукової місії в Південній Америці. Тут він і його група полюють на квітку, яка потенційно може подарувати безсмертя. Вільям при розмові каже їй, що зараз 1921 рік, що призводить до повного нерозуміння ситуації Нікою. Це історія, яка навічно об’єднає цих двох людей поміж зірок космосу.
Безумовно, головною темою коміксу є історія кохання. «Тріліум» виглядає, як романтичний науково-фантастичний мальопис. Але хотілося б цю тему мати на фоні, тому що, хоч ось ця вся романтика є мотивацією вчинків обох головних героїв, але воно виглядає взагалі непереконливо. Двоє незнайомих людей випадково зустрічаються посеред нічого, вони разом максимум кілька годин, просто їдять пелюстки триліуму, в результаті чого передаються їхні спогади одне одному, і раптом вони глибоко закохані. Я б краще не розглядав цю історію, як таку, яка будується на коханні, а, на жаль, вона такою є.
Що ж мені справді сподобалося — це науково фантастична складова, часові петлі, паралельні світи та сама раса на планеті Атабіті, яка мала свою власну мову й за задумкою Джеффа Леміра мала б бути більш візуальною. Думаю йому це вдалося. У всіх хмаринках, де атабіти промовляли щось якраз були ці візуальні символи. І, хоча, Ніка мала штучний інтелект Ессі, яка частину слів перекладала українською, але сенс речень всерівно був незрозумілим. Тому в рух пішла табличка алфавіту атабітійських символів з аналогами на українські літери, кілька листочків паперу й ручка, де я записував перекладені фрази. Це цікавий елемент, який додав цікавого інтерактиву під час читання коміксу. І ще скажу, що останні випуски вже читалися майже без підглядання в алфавіт 🙃
І ще хочу похвалити Джеффа Леміра за те, як він попрацював із розкадруванням в мальописі. Воно, справді, дивувало, а в деякі моменти також додавало певного інтерактиву, бо ти змушений повертати фізичний примірник у різні боки, щоби розібратися в сцені чи певному моменті часу.
Не скажу, що я в сильному захваті від цієї історії. Тому радше вона є середньою, де недоліками для мене є не до кінця притомна мотивація героїв на фоні їхнього кохання та просте завершення, а плюсами знайомство із расою атабітів, елементи подорожей у часі і, як би дивно це не звучало, малюнок та хороша робота з кадрами. Але думаю, що Джефф Лемір міг би вижати більше з цього світу, тільки щось пішло не так. Та все ж, це досить хороша історія й по своєму цікава. І якщо любите творчість цього канадського сценариста й художника, то обов’язково придбайте цей мальопис.
Далеке майбутнє. 38 століття, де людство стоїть на волосинці свого існування. Розумний вірус під назвою Каул швидко знищує їхнє існування і залишилося лише кілька тисяч людей, віддалених дуже далеко від Землі у відчайдушних спробах вижити. На далекій планеті під назвою Атабіті, ботанічка Ніка Тенсміт вважає, що знайшла ліки у квітці тріліум на цьому космічному тілі. Але їй потрібно завоювати довіру місцевих мешканців, раси атабітів, яка веде закритий спосіб життя, і, які боронять свій урожай біля загадкового храму від усіх чужинців.
Але все змінюється, як тільки Каул починає пробиратися до їхньої космічної лабораторії, тому Ніка вирішує діяти на випередження, щоби не забирати квіти силою, а спробувати потрапити всередину цього обмеженого для інших поселення. Атабіти запрошують її скуштувати тріліум — і несподівані результати не забарилися. Раптом Ніка виявляє, що перенесена в зовсім іншу обстановку, де зустрічає Вільяма Пайка, колишнього солдата, що страждає на ПТС, під час пошукової місії в Південній Америці. Тут він і його група полюють на квітку, яка потенційно може подарувати безсмертя. Вільям при розмові каже їй, що зараз 1921 рік, що призводить до повного нерозуміння ситуації Нікою. Це історія, яка навічно об’єднає цих двох людей поміж зірок космосу.
Безумовно, головною темою коміксу є історія кохання. «Тріліум» виглядає, як романтичний науково-фантастичний мальопис. Але хотілося б цю тему мати на фоні, тому що, хоч ось ця вся романтика є мотивацією вчинків обох головних героїв, але воно виглядає взагалі непереконливо. Двоє незнайомих людей випадково зустрічаються посеред нічого, вони разом максимум кілька годин, просто їдять пелюстки триліуму, в результаті чого передаються їхні спогади одне одному, і раптом вони глибоко закохані. Я б краще не розглядав цю історію, як таку, яка будується на коханні, а, на жаль, вона такою є.
Що ж мені справді сподобалося — це науково фантастична складова, часові петлі, паралельні світи та сама раса на планеті Атабіті, яка мала свою власну мову й за задумкою Джеффа Леміра мала б бути більш візуальною. Думаю йому це вдалося. У всіх хмаринках, де атабіти промовляли щось якраз були ці візуальні символи. І, хоча, Ніка мала штучний інтелект Ессі, яка частину слів перекладала українською, але сенс речень всерівно був незрозумілим. Тому в рух пішла табличка алфавіту атабітійських символів з аналогами на українські літери, кілька листочків паперу й ручка, де я записував перекладені фрази. Це цікавий елемент, який додав цікавого інтерактиву під час читання коміксу. І ще скажу, що останні випуски вже читалися майже без підглядання в алфавіт 🙃
І ще хочу похвалити Джеффа Леміра за те, як він попрацював із розкадруванням в мальописі. Воно, справді, дивувало, а в деякі моменти також додавало певного інтерактиву, бо ти змушений повертати фізичний примірник у різні боки, щоби розібратися в сцені чи певному моменті часу.
Не скажу, що я в сильному захваті від цієї історії. Тому радше вона є середньою, де недоліками для мене є не до кінця притомна мотивація героїв на фоні їхнього кохання та просте завершення, а плюсами знайомство із расою атабітів, елементи подорожей у часі і, як би дивно це не звучало, малюнок та хороша робота з кадрами. Але думаю, що Джефф Лемір міг би вижати більше з цього світу, тільки щось пішло не так. Та все ж, це досить хороша історія й по своєму цікава. І якщо любите творчість цього канадського сценариста й художника, то обов’язково придбайте цей мальопис.
March 3, 2016
I have been a fan of Lemire since I read his fabulous The Complete Essex County years ago and have been following his creator owned work ever since. I must admit that I have not followed his mainstream comic work but that is more about my overall dissatisfaction with the big 2 than the work of Lemire.
His art style is tighter than his earlier work but is on par with his fantastic P/A series Sweet Tooth, Vol. 1: Out of the Deep Woods although it is still much looser than most super hero pencils(guess that's why I like him so much). So don't come into this book expecting sharp, clean lines, they are not to be found here.
To the story....man that was weird...in a good sort of way. Let's see, sci/fi, time traveling, romance, mind altering/expanding plants(insert all your favorite 60's drug references here)...did I miss anything? Oh yeah, a sentient virus that is stalking humankind and has forced us to the very edge of the known universe and extinction. We jump back and forth between the future-Nika, a scientist trying to find a vaccine and the past-William,a soldier who after fighting in WWI is now on an expedition to find lost ruins in the jungle. They meet after stumbling on a temple lost in the jungle/on the outer-rim planet. Lemire contiunes to play with the back and forth between times and characters throughout the story and even switches backstory for a moment, all the while building a romance between the two main characters.
I ended up rating this four stars because it didn't have the same emotinal resonance for me as some of his previous work. And I guess I need to address the physical layout of the book. This is one of those times where you should have picked up the monthly comics instead of waiting for the tpb. The floppies were set up as a flip book, you would read the first character story and flip the book over for the next character viewpoint. This doesn't really work that well in the trade format and I would recommend picking up the single issues if you can.
His art style is tighter than his earlier work but is on par with his fantastic P/A series Sweet Tooth, Vol. 1: Out of the Deep Woods although it is still much looser than most super hero pencils(guess that's why I like him so much). So don't come into this book expecting sharp, clean lines, they are not to be found here.
To the story....man that was weird...in a good sort of way. Let's see, sci/fi, time traveling, romance, mind altering/expanding plants(insert all your favorite 60's drug references here)...did I miss anything? Oh yeah, a sentient virus that is stalking humankind and has forced us to the very edge of the known universe and extinction. We jump back and forth between the future-Nika, a scientist trying to find a vaccine and the past-William,a soldier who after fighting in WWI is now on an expedition to find lost ruins in the jungle. They meet after stumbling on a temple lost in the jungle/on the outer-rim planet. Lemire contiunes to play with the back and forth between times and characters throughout the story and even switches backstory for a moment, all the while building a romance between the two main characters.
I ended up rating this four stars because it didn't have the same emotinal resonance for me as some of his previous work. And I guess I need to address the physical layout of the book. This is one of those times where you should have picked up the monthly comics instead of waiting for the tpb. The floppies were set up as a flip book, you would read the first character story and flip the book over for the next character viewpoint. This doesn't really work that well in the trade format and I would recommend picking up the single issues if you can.
September 9, 2014
Two words.
Mind. Fuck.
That pretty much sums up this book. Ever since Essex County I have been a pretty solid Jeff Lemire fan (us Canadians gotta stick together). His Sweet Tooth comic, to this day, is one of my all time faves.
So...Trillium. I guess when you boil it all down the base ingredient is that it is a love story. A really, really tripped out love story. You see there's this flower...and then there are these differing time lines, there are aliens with...aww fuck...who am I kidding. I don't think I could explain this one even if I had been the one to write the bloody book.
But that isn't to say that it doesn't make sense when you read it. It does. Or...well...it mostly does. Its a trip - a ride - and a pretty damn fun one at that. There are some pretty freaking awesome splash pages in this book that made me pause and just take it all in. Wonderful to look at.
I know this isn't the most concise review, actually this isn't even a review at all, but just read it. Its classic Jeff Lemire, and yet its very different than anything he has done before, the one thing I can say for sure though is that its a pretty freaking fun read. So Give it a shot. :)
Mind. Fuck.
That pretty much sums up this book. Ever since Essex County I have been a pretty solid Jeff Lemire fan (us Canadians gotta stick together). His Sweet Tooth comic, to this day, is one of my all time faves.
So...Trillium. I guess when you boil it all down the base ingredient is that it is a love story. A really, really tripped out love story. You see there's this flower...and then there are these differing time lines, there are aliens with...aww fuck...who am I kidding. I don't think I could explain this one even if I had been the one to write the bloody book.
But that isn't to say that it doesn't make sense when you read it. It does. Or...well...it mostly does. Its a trip - a ride - and a pretty damn fun one at that. There are some pretty freaking awesome splash pages in this book that made me pause and just take it all in. Wonderful to look at.
I know this isn't the most concise review, actually this isn't even a review at all, but just read it. Its classic Jeff Lemire, and yet its very different than anything he has done before, the one thing I can say for sure though is that its a pretty freaking fun read. So Give it a shot. :)
February 27, 2021
Trillium is a reality-bending science fiction filled with great ideas. Nika is a scientist from a future where a sentient disease destroys humanity; William is a traumatized ex-soldier in early 20th-century Britain. They meet in a hidden temple and form a connection strong enough to rewrite space and time.
I loved how creative Trillium was. Despite mixed execution, I wouldn’t mind having this one in hardcover to reread it soon.
I loved how creative Trillium was. Despite mixed execution, I wouldn’t mind having this one in hardcover to reread it soon.
June 15, 2015
Not quite ugly artwork, but not super either.
Not quite great storyline, but not awful either.
This is the epitome of a middle of the pack book. However, I'd rather read these types of books every day than the sub-standard shit the folks and Capes and Tights sometimes put out.
Lemire isn't bad, but the last few of his I've read are rapidly lowering my opinion of his talents...JL Canada, this, Constantine Vol. 1...
I think there's an interesting premise he's trying to get to here, but he never reaches it, and about halfway through, it sorta jumps the shark for me.
Not quite great storyline, but not awful either.
This is the epitome of a middle of the pack book. However, I'd rather read these types of books every day than the sub-standard shit the folks and Capes and Tights sometimes put out.
Lemire isn't bad, but the last few of his I've read are rapidly lowering my opinion of his talents...JL Canada, this, Constantine Vol. 1...
I think there's an interesting premise he's trying to get to here, but he never reaches it, and about halfway through, it sorta jumps the shark for me.
April 19, 2018
"My father used to tell me that we were all made of stars. That each of us had one inside us and when we die, that light goes up and mixes with all the other stars. That way we never have to be alone. 'Cause no matter what happens, we all end up together."Jeff Lemire continues to impress me with his complete control over the comic book medium and his refusal to be constrained by its conventions, limitations, and what people have come to expect. What he does here is assemble a romance between a scientist in the year 3797 who's looking for a cure to prevent a sentient virus know as The Caul from exterminating what's left of mankind and an explorer in 1921 searching for a secret Incan temple in the jungle.
It's a mind-boggling, millennia-spanning love story that crosses galaxies, parallel universes, and the limits of time, while somehow still managing to be grounded in character. And it's all told with Lemire's usual expressive watercolor art and creative paneling that favors the story's structure. It's like Interstellar meets The Fountain, and thoroughly enjoyable.
August 17, 2016
Lemire excels in telling small-scale, grounded stories about ordinary, psychologically distraught people. His previous 'indie' graphic novels "Essex County", "The Nobody" and the "Underwater Welder" are all emotionally resonant pieces of work that are rightly highly regarded by fans and peers alike.
However, with "Trillium", he has made his first real miscalculation in this arena. Quite frankly, it is a jumbled mess from start to finish. I'm a strong proponent of creators flexing their creative muscles and going out of their comfort zones, but here it just didn't work. In order to craft a truly succesful science fiction/time-travel tale, you need depth. I didn't see any of that in this. It's all rather basic, derivative and seriously underdeveloped. Same with the characters, which are nothing more than repositories of various clichés here.
Add to this a flimsy, contrived, falsely sentimental love story, a misguided gimmick of including a section with upside down panels - which diminishes the reading experience significantly - and you get a graphic novel that just rubs me in all sorts of wrong ways. Ironically, Lemire perhaps delivers his best cartooning thus far, with the colouring adding a lot to the overall feel of it, so it is worth commenting on this fact.
Purely as a narrative though, it's far from gripping. One misses the raw power of his "Essex County" days. Lemire is trying to be too slick, too all-encompassing for his own good here, and that is just not his strength.
However, with "Trillium", he has made his first real miscalculation in this arena. Quite frankly, it is a jumbled mess from start to finish. I'm a strong proponent of creators flexing their creative muscles and going out of their comfort zones, but here it just didn't work. In order to craft a truly succesful science fiction/time-travel tale, you need depth. I didn't see any of that in this. It's all rather basic, derivative and seriously underdeveloped. Same with the characters, which are nothing more than repositories of various clichés here.
Add to this a flimsy, contrived, falsely sentimental love story, a misguided gimmick of including a section with upside down panels - which diminishes the reading experience significantly - and you get a graphic novel that just rubs me in all sorts of wrong ways. Ironically, Lemire perhaps delivers his best cartooning thus far, with the colouring adding a lot to the overall feel of it, so it is worth commenting on this fact.
Purely as a narrative though, it's far from gripping. One misses the raw power of his "Essex County" days. Lemire is trying to be too slick, too all-encompassing for his own good here, and that is just not his strength.
March 17, 2019
I enjoy a good sci-fi story. The scope of this ambitious comic is impressive. Does it pull it off? No, not completely. But I give him credit for having tried and for the originality of the story.
"Trillium" is part sci-fi adventure and part love-story. Sounds strange, but it works. There are two stories here, both from different timelines (1921 in one, 3797 in another). In the future, there was a devastating sentient virus known as the "Caul" that has nearly wiped out humanity and Nike Temsmith looks for a cure. In the past, a PTSD suffering WW I veteran goes on a mysterious expedition to find a lost Inca temple. Both are connected by Trillium-a strange flower both run into. Eating the flower leads them to meet in another dimension. Their relationship spans dimensions and time. It is also causing some conflicts in the time stream. More than that I will not spoil.
A rather interesting premise. The story is out there and quite trippy. The artwork grew on me and while it isn't the best, something about it works for the strange environments of the story. Though the artist's rendition of humans leaves a little to be desired. Still, it works. But read this one for the odd story.
There is a great part where both stories are being told at once with each story going in opposite directs and upside down. I liked that and found it rather clever. That's what makes this story. It isn't great at any one thing, but combine them and you get a truly interesting tale of love, some truly interesting environments and an epic tale of two people who share a deep connection beyond normal human connections. If you like your stories epic and strange (think Grant Morrison), then you will like Trillium. One of the more original stories I've run across. Jeff Lemire has a good head for sci-fi.
"Trillium" is part sci-fi adventure and part love-story. Sounds strange, but it works. There are two stories here, both from different timelines (1921 in one, 3797 in another). In the future, there was a devastating sentient virus known as the "Caul" that has nearly wiped out humanity and Nike Temsmith looks for a cure. In the past, a PTSD suffering WW I veteran goes on a mysterious expedition to find a lost Inca temple. Both are connected by Trillium-a strange flower both run into. Eating the flower leads them to meet in another dimension. Their relationship spans dimensions and time. It is also causing some conflicts in the time stream. More than that I will not spoil.
A rather interesting premise. The story is out there and quite trippy. The artwork grew on me and while it isn't the best, something about it works for the strange environments of the story. Though the artist's rendition of humans leaves a little to be desired. Still, it works. But read this one for the odd story.
There is a great part where both stories are being told at once with each story going in opposite directs and upside down. I liked that and found it rather clever. That's what makes this story. It isn't great at any one thing, but combine them and you get a truly interesting tale of love, some truly interesting environments and an epic tale of two people who share a deep connection beyond normal human connections. If you like your stories epic and strange (think Grant Morrison), then you will like Trillium. One of the more original stories I've run across. Jeff Lemire has a good head for sci-fi.
January 15, 2016
I enjoyed this as I was reading it. It's fast-paced, the art is great, the characters are interesting. But I'm not a big sci-fi person, and wasn't sure what to do with the whole Inca temple = blue aliens = black hole situation. There was this kind of "primitive peoples" = "most advanced peoples" motif, which, whether or not it means to be objectifying, winds up being objectifying and a little nonsensical.
Also, then to add drugs and romance and a sentient virus in there, and you have a serious salad (everything and some kitchen sinks from an impressive array of centuries).
It's a little like Bodyworld with time travel and without certain edges. Bodyworld is flying at top speed and crashes into a more conventional comic superheroic plot scenario. Or, lowbrow meets highbrow as Jan puts it in his gr review: "High-concept science fiction meets pulpy explorer adventure in Jeff Lemire’s latest creator-owned effort, and as the narrative progresses, the boundary between highbrow and lowbrow entertainment gradually dissolves - as do many other boundaries: the ones between us and them, now and then, here and there..."
Here are two other reviews I enjoyed a lot. Very different takes on the book.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Do I recommend this? Maybe. It's certainly entertaining and has some great female super-hero types. It doesn't feel like a carefully developed project, but maybe that is because I am accustomed to Lemire's other work, which is much more condensed and carefully put together (there's an exactitude and an elemental sense that Lemire knows the worlds he's creating very well.)
Also, then to add drugs and romance and a sentient virus in there, and you have a serious salad (everything and some kitchen sinks from an impressive array of centuries).
It's a little like Bodyworld with time travel and without certain edges. Bodyworld is flying at top speed and crashes into a more conventional comic superheroic plot scenario. Or, lowbrow meets highbrow as Jan puts it in his gr review: "High-concept science fiction meets pulpy explorer adventure in Jeff Lemire’s latest creator-owned effort, and as the narrative progresses, the boundary between highbrow and lowbrow entertainment gradually dissolves - as do many other boundaries: the ones between us and them, now and then, here and there..."
Here are two other reviews I enjoyed a lot. Very different takes on the book.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Do I recommend this? Maybe. It's certainly entertaining and has some great female super-hero types. It doesn't feel like a carefully developed project, but maybe that is because I am accustomed to Lemire's other work, which is much more condensed and carefully put together (there's an exactitude and an elemental sense that Lemire knows the worlds he's creating very well.)
December 12, 2015
This graphic novel has some of everything: science fiction, romance, first contact, dystopia, and mythology. Our main characters are Nika Temsith, a botanist in the year 3797, and William Pike, an explorer in the year 1921. Oh, then there is the lost Lost Temple of the Incas. And a blue Goddess. Their paths will cross and they will affect each other in unimaginable ways. OK, I just realized that I cannot explain this one adequately, so you'll just have to read it.
One of the really wonderful things about the formatting of this graphic novel, is that sometimes you read the normal way, sometimes you have to read backwards, and other times you have to hold the book upside down. The story is a little on the weak side, and the Lemire draws his characters so they all look the same to me - thank goodness for differently colored hair, and clothing! Still, there is a wonderful freshness and poignancy to this one, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
One of the really wonderful things about the formatting of this graphic novel, is that sometimes you read the normal way, sometimes you have to read backwards, and other times you have to hold the book upside down. The story is a little on the weak side, and the Lemire draws his characters so they all look the same to me - thank goodness for differently colored hair, and clothing! Still, there is a wonderful freshness and poignancy to this one, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
April 6, 2014
Trillium is 2 things: A futuristic time travel story, and a romance. No, not Sophie Kinsella. Think Romeo and Juliet. Futuristic girl meets 20's soldier and they fall in love. Which is great but some unfortunate time travel happens mixed with blue alien goodness and they are struggling to meet again.
The story is brilliant, I hate myself for buying the issues instead of the TPB, as it was hard (very hard!) to finish one and have to wait for the rest. Fortunately the local comic book shop didn't stock them for a while and I got the last 3 in a row.
Mr Lemire plays the "turn your comic upside down" card beautifully to swap between timelines, even though sometimes it looks like I'm an idiot and I'm just pretending to read, I've always appreciated little details like that (maybe that's why I love Francis Manapul's new 52 Flash, such great art!)
The other detail that made me fall in love with it straight away was the Alien's language. After reading it for a while you kind of understand what they are saying: the alien letters all match a letter in the Roman alphabet, and I had lots of fun translating it (and adding post its to the pages, because I'm that sad).
It definitely didn't disappoint and I can't wait to read Jeff Lemire's next series. For the moment I have to do with reading Justice League Dark and Green Arrow for my Lemire fix.
About the ending
The story is brilliant, I hate myself for buying the issues instead of the TPB, as it was hard (very hard!) to finish one and have to wait for the rest. Fortunately the local comic book shop didn't stock them for a while and I got the last 3 in a row.
Mr Lemire plays the "turn your comic upside down" card beautifully to swap between timelines, even though sometimes it looks like I'm an idiot and I'm just pretending to read, I've always appreciated little details like that (maybe that's why I love Francis Manapul's new 52 Flash, such great art!)
The other detail that made me fall in love with it straight away was the Alien's language. After reading it for a while you kind of understand what they are saying: the alien letters all match a letter in the Roman alphabet, and I had lots of fun translating it (and adding post its to the pages, because I'm that sad).
It definitely didn't disappoint and I can't wait to read Jeff Lemire's next series. For the moment I have to do with reading Justice League Dark and Green Arrow for my Lemire fix.
About the ending
June 10, 2014
I loved this far more than I should have for a fairly mediocre story. I am a huge fan of Jeff Lemire's art style and while his writing is never amazing it is always competent and occasionally shines in places, Trillium definitely doesn't depart from that tradition. Jeff uses a cool mechanic/gimmick where you are often flipping the book around which jumps you through time or into another character's eyes and while it doesn't directly make the story better it does have some great effects on the reader. The very first use of this in issue #1 is absolutely brilliant, I won't spoil it. A few times it leaves you a bit disoriented which is also interesting. Sometimes it just becomes annoying or unnecessary, but overall it is used very well. The pacing is a bit off and it seems like a lot of wasted panels on small details and then a bit of a rush through important sections which is a little disappointing. The story is OK, it is presented in an above average way though which compensates a bit but ultimately leaves you slightly unfulfilled for what it could have been. It is still an extremely great use of the medium and worth reading without a doubt. I feel like this is sort of on par with The Watchmen where the acclaim comes not specifically from the story or events but the care and attention to detail in how it is told and placed on the page. Technically cool and interesting but emotionally a little less so.
October 27, 2019
That was great! Like always with Lemire works. I enjoy the way it play with perspective and canvas. Great work!
January 27, 2022
Спочатку мені мальопис не надто заходив, я його навіть закинув на тиждень, сьогодні все ж дочитав. Він доволі дивний, але ж це Лемір, тому правильно казати не дивний, а лемірівський)
Це один з небагатьох мальописів Джефа, який мене не дратував. Малюнок також досить своєрідний, не на мій смак, але є кілька розворотів та художніх рішень, які змусили мене схвально кивати баняком. Зловив себе на думці, що з задоволенням подивився би екранізацію Триліума від умовного Нетфлікса.
Це один з небагатьох мальописів Джефа, який мене не дратував. Малюнок також досить своєрідний, не на мій смак, але є кілька розворотів та художніх рішень, які змусили мене схвально кивати баняком. Зловив себе на думці, що з задоволенням подивився би екранізацію Триліума від умовного Нетфлікса.
January 25, 2015
Disappointing, overall. I liked aspects of it, and some aspects of it at least attempt to make unconventional (if not innovative) use of page design, but it suffers, as does much SF by people who aren't really SF writers (I know Lemire has done a lot of comics with fantastical/SFnal premises, but that's not really the same thing), from a lack of real depth to its imagined world. This is perhaps reflected in the supplementary materials on world-building, which cover, basically, an alien alphabet (which is actually just a character by character substitution for the actual alphabet) and a couple of pages of character/costume design; no indication of deep or complex work developing the alien culture(s) etc.
I do like space opera, and I do like time travel stories, so this does fall within my taste. However, the space opera element is pretty cookie-cutter: far future, humanity almost wiped out by a sentient virus, seeking the one plant that can provide a cure, which they finally find on a planet of blue aliens, who have a mysterious but rather Mayan-looking temple. Lemire ignores (or is unaware of) the massive unlikelihood of a plant evolving independently on more than one planet--or, at any rate, if we are to imagine that somehow the trillium has spread through space, we are given little to go on. Admittedly, the plant grows around the aliens' temple and also around its parallel temple, on Earth some 18 centuries earlier, so we might infer that the plant, like humans, can travel across time and space. On the other hand, the temple is in South America, and trilliums are not native to South America, either. As for who built the temples, or the machinery beneath them allowing the space/time dilation, or why, who knows? There is brief reference to the importance of studying them and learning more about them--and given that they appear to be portals allowing instantaneous travel across time and space, they could well represent a real solution to the humans' problems, if actually studied (nip back to twentieth century Earth, gather all the trilliums you need, and Bob's your uncle)--instead we get the typical "let's destroy the thing we don't understand" resolution. *sigh*
Furthermore, how a sentient virus might work is also never explored; the Caul, as it is called, exists simply as a background threat capable of surviving anything, we are told, even the vacuum of space (though not the medicinal properties of trilliums, apparently). Lemire might have intended readers to find a parallel between the virus spreading through space and human cultural imperialism--the 1920s section has Europeans viewing South American indegenes as savages (but of course, it also has the natives bloodily executing the whites without explanation), and the humans of 3797 are willing to wipe out the blue-skinned aliens to get the trilliums just as happily as Europeans have been to wipe out other different-coloured humans. The scene when the blue alien calls the native Peruvian a brother and asserts a common humanity invites such a reading. But this seems all by the by, really; Lemire seems more interested in the love story between William and Nika, linked across eighteen centuries and who knows how many light years by the properties of the trillium, ingestion of which somehow links their consciousnesses and (apparently) contributes to a reconfiguration of history and a partial reversal of their consciousnesses, Nika becoming a woman in an alternate twentieth century, William a man in an alternate 3797 (though somehow Nika-prime's AI has managed to retain a recording of Niki's experiences prior to time being overwritten by an alternate history).
If this all sounds a bit confusing, it is. Time travel/paradox stories can be, of course, but the problem here seems to be more that the concepts are woolly, rather than that they are complex. It comes across more as a "wow, cool" kind of attitude than as a rigorously worked through exploration of the philosophical implications.
So, well, entertaining enough, but possessed of more potential than achievement. Nice art, mind you, as long as you like Lemire's scratchy, loose line; at any rate, it fits well with the work's romantic propensities and its interest in the plasticity of reality. On the other hand, the representation of the alien dialogue in the alien alphabet, which requires readers to flip to the back of the book and "translate" the alien characters to English ones in order to understand what they are saying, is bloody irritating. (And, if all you are doing is a substitution code, you're not really representing an alien language, you're just making English harder to read. . . .)
I do like space opera, and I do like time travel stories, so this does fall within my taste. However, the space opera element is pretty cookie-cutter: far future, humanity almost wiped out by a sentient virus, seeking the one plant that can provide a cure, which they finally find on a planet of blue aliens, who have a mysterious but rather Mayan-looking temple. Lemire ignores (or is unaware of) the massive unlikelihood of a plant evolving independently on more than one planet--or, at any rate, if we are to imagine that somehow the trillium has spread through space, we are given little to go on. Admittedly, the plant grows around the aliens' temple and also around its parallel temple, on Earth some 18 centuries earlier, so we might infer that the plant, like humans, can travel across time and space. On the other hand, the temple is in South America, and trilliums are not native to South America, either. As for who built the temples, or the machinery beneath them allowing the space/time dilation, or why, who knows? There is brief reference to the importance of studying them and learning more about them--and given that they appear to be portals allowing instantaneous travel across time and space, they could well represent a real solution to the humans' problems, if actually studied (nip back to twentieth century Earth, gather all the trilliums you need, and Bob's your uncle)--instead we get the typical "let's destroy the thing we don't understand" resolution. *sigh*
Furthermore, how a sentient virus might work is also never explored; the Caul, as it is called, exists simply as a background threat capable of surviving anything, we are told, even the vacuum of space (though not the medicinal properties of trilliums, apparently). Lemire might have intended readers to find a parallel between the virus spreading through space and human cultural imperialism--the 1920s section has Europeans viewing South American indegenes as savages (but of course, it also has the natives bloodily executing the whites without explanation), and the humans of 3797 are willing to wipe out the blue-skinned aliens to get the trilliums just as happily as Europeans have been to wipe out other different-coloured humans. The scene when the blue alien calls the native Peruvian a brother and asserts a common humanity invites such a reading. But this seems all by the by, really; Lemire seems more interested in the love story between William and Nika, linked across eighteen centuries and who knows how many light years by the properties of the trillium, ingestion of which somehow links their consciousnesses and (apparently) contributes to a reconfiguration of history and a partial reversal of their consciousnesses, Nika becoming a woman in an alternate twentieth century, William a man in an alternate 3797 (though somehow Nika-prime's AI has managed to retain a recording of Niki's experiences prior to time being overwritten by an alternate history).
If this all sounds a bit confusing, it is. Time travel/paradox stories can be, of course, but the problem here seems to be more that the concepts are woolly, rather than that they are complex. It comes across more as a "wow, cool" kind of attitude than as a rigorously worked through exploration of the philosophical implications.
So, well, entertaining enough, but possessed of more potential than achievement. Nice art, mind you, as long as you like Lemire's scratchy, loose line; at any rate, it fits well with the work's romantic propensities and its interest in the plasticity of reality. On the other hand, the representation of the alien dialogue in the alien alphabet, which requires readers to flip to the back of the book and "translate" the alien characters to English ones in order to understand what they are saying, is bloody irritating. (And, if all you are doing is a substitution code, you're not really representing an alien language, you're just making English harder to read. . . .)
February 3, 2016
Stāsts pats par sevi interesants, bet neradīja līdzpārdzīvojumu. Darbība risinās divās pasaulēs un divos laikos – tāltālā nākotnē 3797. gadā, kad zinātniece Nika uz kādas planētas meklē retu puķi Trillium, kas ir cilvēces pēdējā cerība cīņā ar iznīcinošu vīrusu, un 1921. gadā uz Zemes, kad kara atmiņu nomocītais Viljams klīst pa Dienvidamerikas džungļiem izmisīgā vēlmē atrast teiksmainu inku templi. Abu šo varoņu dzīves saskaras un saplūst neticamā veidā, lai abi kopā glābtu pēdējo tūkstoti cilvēku. Spilgts motīvs ir jau daudz izmantotais balto cilvēku iedomīgais pārākums, lai kur viņi ietu.
Autors spēlējas ar laiku un telpu, nākotnes tehnoloģijām un pagātnes mītiem, savijot to visu kopā neparastā stāstā. Cinisks lasītājs stāstu var reducēt uz narkotisku puķu ēdāju halucinācijām. Lai gan sižets ir interesants, komiksam ir vairākas problēmas. Viendimensionālie varoņi neraisīja simpātijas, lai cik autors uzsvērtu viņu pagātnes ciešanas. Džefs Lemairs (pieļauju, ka tā viņu varētu latviskot) par savu komiksa ideju saka: “With TRILLIUM I`m trying to tell a really small, really human love story, but set against a big cosmic backdrop.” Jāsaka, ka “love story” mani nepārliecināja vispār. Tāda ļoti uzspiesta “iemīlēšanās no pirmā acu skatiena” versija. Citplanētiešu – iezemiešu saistība bija interesanta, abas trakās militārpersonas vismaz iedvesa dzīvību un konfliktu stāstā.
Patika ilustrācijas un Lemaira (viņš ir gan stāsta, gan ilustrāciju autors) zīmēšanas stils. Par to tad trešā zvaigzne.
Pilnā atsauksme ar ilustrāciju piemēriem: https://gramatas.wordpress.com/2016/0...
Autors spēlējas ar laiku un telpu, nākotnes tehnoloģijām un pagātnes mītiem, savijot to visu kopā neparastā stāstā. Cinisks lasītājs stāstu var reducēt uz narkotisku puķu ēdāju halucinācijām. Lai gan sižets ir interesants, komiksam ir vairākas problēmas. Viendimensionālie varoņi neraisīja simpātijas, lai cik autors uzsvērtu viņu pagātnes ciešanas. Džefs Lemairs (pieļauju, ka tā viņu varētu latviskot) par savu komiksa ideju saka: “With TRILLIUM I`m trying to tell a really small, really human love story, but set against a big cosmic backdrop.” Jāsaka, ka “love story” mani nepārliecināja vispār. Tāda ļoti uzspiesta “iemīlēšanās no pirmā acu skatiena” versija. Citplanētiešu – iezemiešu saistība bija interesanta, abas trakās militārpersonas vismaz iedvesa dzīvību un konfliktu stāstā.
Patika ilustrācijas un Lemaira (viņš ir gan stāsta, gan ilustrāciju autors) zīmēšanas stils. Par to tad trešā zvaigzne.
Pilnā atsauksme ar ilustrāciju piemēriem: https://gramatas.wordpress.com/2016/0...
November 4, 2014
Jeff Lemire - artist
The year is 3797. Nika Tensmith is a scientist desperately seeking a cure for a sentient virus sweeping across the galaxy.
The year is 1921. William Pike is an ex-soldier, obsessed with returning to the Amazon jungle and the mysterious temple hidden within.
In a mystical, philosophical romance that stretches across thousands of years, Lemire intertwines the lives and loves of these two characters in a complicated sci-fi opera that will determine the fate of the human race.
Jeff Lemire is a giant of modern comics, and Trillium continues to build upon his already impressive legacy.
5/5
Highly recommended.
The year is 3797. Nika Tensmith is a scientist desperately seeking a cure for a sentient virus sweeping across the galaxy.
The year is 1921. William Pike is an ex-soldier, obsessed with returning to the Amazon jungle and the mysterious temple hidden within.
In a mystical, philosophical romance that stretches across thousands of years, Lemire intertwines the lives and loves of these two characters in a complicated sci-fi opera that will determine the fate of the human race.
Jeff Lemire is a giant of modern comics, and Trillium continues to build upon his already impressive legacy.
5/5
Highly recommended.
November 12, 2014
One of the better SF comics I've read! A woman from 3797 and a man from 1921 find their lives intertwined when they investigate a mysterious temple. This GN displays its pulp roots proudly, and the result is a delightful adventure with some quite clever storytelling techniques on the part of Mr. Lemire. He maintains a high level of quality throughout, and doesn't cop out on the ending. Highly worth reading!
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