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Station 16
1955. Nova Zembla, een archipel in Noord-Rusland, is het proefterrein voor de krachtigste kernbommen uit de geschiedenis.
1997. Een patrouille soldaten vangt een noodkreet op die afkomstig is uit die onbewoonde streek. Vol afschuw ontdekken ze dat ze te maken krijgen met een gebied waar de wetten van de natuur niet langer gelden...
1997. Een patrouille soldaten vangt een noodkreet op die afkomstig is uit die onbewoonde streek. Vol afschuw ontdekken ze dat ze te maken krijgen met een gebied waar de wetten van de natuur niet langer gelden...
64 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 13, 2016
As you might have guessed, I am not a big DC comics fan. I've always been partial to Marvel and, even much more so, independent comics. But my favorite DC title is, really, one of my favorite titles ever: Weird War Tales. Death is the host, and he presents bizarre tales of warfare redolent of the Twilight Zone which, I am fairly certain, inspired it. In fact, the iconic television show ended in 1964, while Weird War Tales started in 1971. 1983 saw the last issue of Weird War Tales - the same year that
Twilight Zone: The Movie
came out.
Twilight Zone Magazine
had also been available since 1981, and one wonders if the audience for Weird War Tales had not moved on from the comic form to the (excellent) fiction contained in the magazine.
All this is to say that Station 16 would have been right at home among the Weird War Tales series, except that it's a touch longer than those tales and much better!
The mostly gray tones in the book, as well as the bleak setting, create an ethereal tone that extends well beyond the abandon soviet military base in which most of the action takes place. A sort of temporal fugue state has settled on the area with results that are startling, if a bit predictable, and 100% in the zone - you know which one!
All this is to say that Station 16 would have been right at home among the Weird War Tales series, except that it's a touch longer than those tales and much better!
The mostly gray tones in the book, as well as the bleak setting, create an ethereal tone that extends well beyond the abandon soviet military base in which most of the action takes place. A sort of temporal fugue state has settled on the area with results that are startling, if a bit predictable, and 100% in the zone - you know which one!
April 16, 2016
1997, Russia, north of the Arctic Circle, where the Soviets conducted secret nuclear tests for many years, supposedly stopped under agreements reached through world anti-nuke talks. Station 16 is an abandoned outpost which at one point starts to send barely decipherable frantic messages. A unit is sent to check it out. This is probably just a good tale, not a 4 star read, but it gets a star from me for the environmental dimension, that whole "chickens come home to roost" aspect that says there are long consequences to our massive arrogance and ignorance on nuclear testing and proliferation. And using people there as "guinea pigs" for "scientific advancements."
The ghostly return of some of the men is creepy, a little of the old Banquo-coming-back-to-scare-Macbeth, or the ghost of Hamlet's father. Collective guilt. Has more than a little nightmarish horror in it, too, especially created by the dark and gloomy artwork of Belgian Huppen. The artwork bumped up my assessment a little too, admirably detailed work in a tough location to do interesting work. Little color.
The story by Huppen's son Yves, is not particularly surprising or original, even with the whole "spatiotemporal rift" that happens. The dialogue is not always great, but the idea and the conception are still a bit haunting. A quick read, with a couple nasty moments for dark sci fi/horror readers.
The ghostly return of some of the men is creepy, a little of the old Banquo-coming-back-to-scare-Macbeth, or the ghost of Hamlet's father. Collective guilt. Has more than a little nightmarish horror in it, too, especially created by the dark and gloomy artwork of Belgian Huppen. The artwork bumped up my assessment a little too, admirably detailed work in a tough location to do interesting work. Little color.
The story by Huppen's son Yves, is not particularly surprising or original, even with the whole "spatiotemporal rift" that happens. The dialogue is not always great, but the idea and the conception are still a bit haunting. A quick read, with a couple nasty moments for dark sci fi/horror readers.
July 6, 2015
Wonderful Sci-fi story with Soviet military! A good read in one sitting kind of book.
December 30, 2021
(Zero spoiler review) 2.75/5
I must admit, I was quite surprised when I saw the Goodreads score for this one. Now for what it was (essentially a 3 at the time) as I agreed with it. I was surprised because I actually thought it was higher. I was under the impression that this had a stronger cult following than it did. That it was considered, and indeed was meant to be, better than it was. Needless to say, I strangely felt in good company having not thought so highly of it. At least I don't have to come across as a cynical old sourpuss this time.
Yeah, so it wasn't that great. given what I mentioned previously, I kept waiting for it to get better, for that 'oh shit' moment when it all came together and justified its supposed cult status. That never happened, and instead I ambled through the story, enjoying the art for the most part, although finding the story little more than your typical B move horror plot. There really isn't anything here that hasn't been done numerous times before. The interesting setting gives it a thin air of originality, although the translation from Russian to English gives the dialogue a stilted, jarring quality that doesn't exactly lend to any deep level of storytelling. There is little in the way of characterisation either, with the main protagonists being bland and interchangeable. As mentioned, Hermann's art is mostly very good. It has a fairly distinct European quality to it, though despite its quality, it can't lift this book to anything beyond average. 2.75/5.
OmniBen.
I must admit, I was quite surprised when I saw the Goodreads score for this one. Now for what it was (essentially a 3 at the time) as I agreed with it. I was surprised because I actually thought it was higher. I was under the impression that this had a stronger cult following than it did. That it was considered, and indeed was meant to be, better than it was. Needless to say, I strangely felt in good company having not thought so highly of it. At least I don't have to come across as a cynical old sourpuss this time.
Yeah, so it wasn't that great. given what I mentioned previously, I kept waiting for it to get better, for that 'oh shit' moment when it all came together and justified its supposed cult status. That never happened, and instead I ambled through the story, enjoying the art for the most part, although finding the story little more than your typical B move horror plot. There really isn't anything here that hasn't been done numerous times before. The interesting setting gives it a thin air of originality, although the translation from Russian to English gives the dialogue a stilted, jarring quality that doesn't exactly lend to any deep level of storytelling. There is little in the way of characterisation either, with the main protagonists being bland and interchangeable. As mentioned, Hermann's art is mostly very good. It has a fairly distinct European quality to it, though despite its quality, it can't lift this book to anything beyond average. 2.75/5.
OmniBen.
February 19, 2017
Lectura fácil para introducirse en el cómic europeo.
Si nos ponemos quisquillosos, podemos decir que la trama tira de algunos estereotipos o clichés (cualquier aficionado a la ciencia ficción y/o terror podrá ver, en seguida, por donde se desarrollará la trama) pero eso no quita que sea una lectura entretenida, directa y cargada de suspense que dejará buen sabor en cualquier aficionado al género.
El arte de Hermann, como siempre, nos reporta unos paisajes sugerentes y una puesta en escena llena de detalles.
Recomendada para neófitos al género y lectores ya curtidos. Lo bueno, si breve, dos veces bueno.
3,5 / 5
Si nos ponemos quisquillosos, podemos decir que la trama tira de algunos estereotipos o clichés (cualquier aficionado a la ciencia ficción y/o terror podrá ver, en seguida, por donde se desarrollará la trama) pero eso no quita que sea una lectura entretenida, directa y cargada de suspense que dejará buen sabor en cualquier aficionado al género.
El arte de Hermann, como siempre, nos reporta unos paisajes sugerentes y una puesta en escena llena de detalles.
Recomendada para neófitos al género y lectores ya curtidos. Lo bueno, si breve, dos veces bueno.
3,5 / 5
January 21, 2021
This is a great short scifi horror story.
It takes place on an island near the north pole which is infamous for the numerous nuclear bomb tests.
Russian soldiers receive a strange distress call from from an abandoned base and investigate.
A familiar concept in a somewhat original setting, comparable to a Twilight Zone episode.
The art is great and very fitting for this kind of story but the facial features can be inconsistent which can be a bit confusing at times. The action lacks impact as well which is unfortunate.
It takes place on an island near the north pole which is infamous for the numerous nuclear bomb tests.
Russian soldiers receive a strange distress call from from an abandoned base and investigate.
A familiar concept in a somewhat original setting, comparable to a Twilight Zone episode.
The art is great and very fitting for this kind of story but the facial features can be inconsistent which can be a bit confusing at times. The action lacks impact as well which is unfortunate.
December 1, 2021
The watercolour inks in this are absolutely stunning. Which is saying something when so much of the volume is in tones of blue and grey.
A creepy, time warping horror, well worth the read.
A creepy, time warping horror, well worth the read.
August 7, 2020
Hermann est un grand nom de la bande dessinée, mais je n’y peux rien, je n’apprécie pas – mais alors pas du tout – ses dessins. Certains crieront au scandale en lisant cela et pourront certainement prouver qu’il est un grand artiste – je n’en doute pas –, mais c’est une question de goût. Cette fois, il s’est associé à son fils, Yves H., qui a pris en charge le scénario.
L’idée de départ lui est venue en regardant un reportage consacré à la Nouvelle-Zemble – je sais, c’est pénible, notre cerveau devine systématiquement en le lisant “Nouvelle-Zélande”, mais ce n’est pas du tout la même chose, voyez plutôt. C’est un archipel situé au nord de la Russie qui fut le théâtre des plus puissants essais atomiques menés sur notre planète. L’ensemble de ce territoire est encore aujourd’hui un site militaire farouchement gardé – farouchement gardé est évidemment un euphémisme lorsque l’on parle d’un site militaire russe.
Voilà qui est un point de départ séduisant. Mais malheureusement, le scénario complètement délirant à la Shutter Island ne tient pas la route. Bref l’association du père et du fils n’a pas produit une grande oeuvre. Comme quoi, le Family Business n’est pas toujours le meilleur modèle.
Également publié sur mon blog.
L’idée de départ lui est venue en regardant un reportage consacré à la Nouvelle-Zemble – je sais, c’est pénible, notre cerveau devine systématiquement en le lisant “Nouvelle-Zélande”, mais ce n’est pas du tout la même chose, voyez plutôt. C’est un archipel situé au nord de la Russie qui fut le théâtre des plus puissants essais atomiques menés sur notre planète. L’ensemble de ce territoire est encore aujourd’hui un site militaire farouchement gardé – farouchement gardé est évidemment un euphémisme lorsque l’on parle d’un site militaire russe.
Voilà qui est un point de départ séduisant. Mais malheureusement, le scénario complètement délirant à la Shutter Island ne tient pas la route. Bref l’association du père et du fils n’a pas produit une grande oeuvre. Comme quoi, le Family Business n’est pas toujours le meilleur modèle.
Également publié sur mon blog.
April 7, 2023
Por momentos se torna muy predecible. La premisa es buena y gracias al trazo, la ambientación lo es todo en la obra.
August 4, 2016
A group of Russian soldiers investigate an anomaly in the arctic circle and find themselves in a time-twisting nightmare. Lovely art but the storyline was reminiscent of a lesser episode of the Twilight Zone.
January 30, 2017
мінус зірочка за дещо надміру примітивний, як на мій смак, графічний стиль, і ще мінус одна за типово коміксовий фінал --- можна було краще вигадати. але загалом сподобалось.
December 16, 2021
Was a pretty decent twilightzone-esque, soviet sci-fi myster mash. I wish the story was a little longer, but the art was was done very well.
September 27, 2026
De vieux projets soviétiques, du nucléaire, des soldats démunis face à l'horreur : Station 16 avait largement de quoi me faire vibrer.. et même que j'étais aussi très sensible à cette collaboration entre un père et son fils. Et, même si le dessin n'est pas vraiment à mon goût, il correspond bien à l'histoire, et les couleurs à l'aquarelle sont très belles, pour être honnête la plupart des dessins outre les visages sont vraiment très plaisants !
Mais le scénario me laisse sur ma faim, le lien entre les secrets de la Nouvelle-Zemble, le nucléaire et les dérèglements de la réalité aurait pu donner quelque chose de prenant ; ici, j'ai surtout l'impression que le secret militaire autorise toutes les surenchères, sans que le récit développe suffisamment ce qu'il avance, et même si le dossier final est intéressant (ainsi que les croquis) le raisonnement du « on ne sait pas ce qui s'y passe, alors pourquoi pas les pires expériences imaginables ? » m'a fait un peu lever les yeux au ciel. EN plus de ça, les mots russes dispersés dans les dialogues, sans traduction, ajoutent une couleur faussement exotique locale que je trouve plus qu'artificielle.
Surtout, tout manque de place. On insiste sur le fait que Grisha est un bleu, on découvre l'étrangeté des lieux, puis arrive la fin, sans que j'aie vraiment eu le temps de m'intéresser aux personnages. Ça m'a fait l'effet d'un film de zombies nazis de quarante minutes : un début vite expédié, beaucoup de menace au milieu et trois minutes de conclusion atroce censées faire leur effet. Encore faudrait-il que le sort des personnages m'en touche une et fasse bouger l'autre (amis du bon goût bonsoir).
Un seul tome de 100 à 140 pages aurait peut-être permis de construire cette horreur, de donner une histoire aux personnages et d'explorer réellement le sujet. En l'état, ça se lit, c'est parfois intense et très beau dans les couleurs, mais au final j'en ai un ressenti d'indifférence.
Mais le scénario me laisse sur ma faim, le lien entre les secrets de la Nouvelle-Zemble, le nucléaire et les dérèglements de la réalité aurait pu donner quelque chose de prenant ; ici, j'ai surtout l'impression que le secret militaire autorise toutes les surenchères, sans que le récit développe suffisamment ce qu'il avance, et même si le dossier final est intéressant (ainsi que les croquis) le raisonnement du « on ne sait pas ce qui s'y passe, alors pourquoi pas les pires expériences imaginables ? » m'a fait un peu lever les yeux au ciel. EN plus de ça, les mots russes dispersés dans les dialogues, sans traduction, ajoutent une couleur faussement exotique locale que je trouve plus qu'artificielle.
Surtout, tout manque de place. On insiste sur le fait que Grisha est un bleu, on découvre l'étrangeté des lieux, puis arrive la fin, sans que j'aie vraiment eu le temps de m'intéresser aux personnages. Ça m'a fait l'effet d'un film de zombies nazis de quarante minutes : un début vite expédié, beaucoup de menace au milieu et trois minutes de conclusion atroce censées faire leur effet. Encore faudrait-il que le sort des personnages m'en touche une et fasse bouger l'autre (amis du bon goût bonsoir).
Un seul tome de 100 à 140 pages aurait peut-être permis de construire cette horreur, de donner une histoire aux personnages et d'explorer réellement le sujet. En l'état, ça se lit, c'est parfois intense et très beau dans les couleurs, mais au final j'en ai un ressenti d'indifférence.
February 2, 2019
The Huppens are a French father and son team with a taste for the macabre, and this unsettling graphic novel may remind you in setting and flavor of the classic horror film, The Thing. It’s the winter of 1997 in Siberia and a Russian border patrol squad gets an emergency radio call from Weather Station 16 pleading for assistance. Only one problem -- that station was abandoned years before. This area is Novaya Zemlya, where more the Soviets carried out more than 135 nuclear tests, more than half of them in the atmosphere. But there are also stories about experimental medical labs under Stalin that tried to create the ideal soldier by modifying military recruits. And when the squad goes in by chopper to investigate that radio call, they find that time and space have been royally screwed up, bouncing them from one period to another and getting them in a firefight with those stationed there a generation before. The timeline of the action gets a little confusing for the reader, just as it is for the young solders involved, but the grittiness of the artwork makes up for that. Not a bad effort.
June 14, 2026
Three book is based on a real place and a real area where Russia tested 135 nuclear bombs including one that was 4,000 times more powerful than the one used in Hiroshima. 85 of which were exploded into the atmosphere. The setting and lead up are excellent. The story needed to be longer to really connect the story better. The artwork is hit and miss. I enjoyed the graphic novel very much for its creativity and unique reality based fiction/sci-fy. Definitely worth a quick read if you find this. 56 pages. Will take you 15-30 minutes to read.
October 10, 2026
If you enjoy mystery, Arctic survival, and exploration, this is worth a read. But it’s too short to really get to know the characters or let the story reach its full potential.
The art is decent overall. It captures the storms and the harsh Arctic atmosphere well, but the character designs aren’t as strong. I sometimes had trouble telling the characters apart, which made things a little confusing.
A quick, light read you can finish in one sitting if you’re a fan of this kind of story.
The art is decent overall. It captures the storms and the harsh Arctic atmosphere well, but the character designs aren’t as strong. I sometimes had trouble telling the characters apart, which made things a little confusing.
A quick, light read you can finish in one sitting if you’re a fan of this kind of story.
July 22, 2017
Lightweight scifi-horror-mystery with a few solid twists. Really more like a 2.5 but I've rounded it up to 3 for this review. The artwork trumps the writing by a country mile (I mean seriously just look at the cover of the book it's gorgeous) but this is a good book to read in one sitting. I wouldn't mind more Russian scifi horror in the future.
June 7, 2018
Hmmm. The graphic style is very different from what I expected, having only seen the cover art before. This genre-defying story is probably best described as horror. And while I do like time-slips in fiction (this is not a spoiler, since this theme is established fairly early on), there's nothing likeable in this story, which is quite dark.
October 1, 2024
This book is a short read but positively terrifying. The art very effectively shows the environment of the snowy Russian tundra, and the writing flows VERY effectively. Dialogue that seems very natural and places exposition subtly. Excellent, and I wish it was longer.
July 16, 2017
3.5 stars. Very Short, dark, intriguing concept & good art. Not all that much unfolds. I could see this as an indie horror film.
January 1, 2018
Nice, creepy Sci-fi story that reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode. A little sparse, but that reflects the story itself, set in the Russian Arctic.
March 25, 2018
Poor plot, lack-luster graphics, not at all interesting.
November 27, 2018
Not the best graphic novel I read. Was not sure where different characters came from.
September 9, 2021
Výborný začiatok, biedny koniec.
November 2, 2021
I LIKE IT I DONT NOW WHY A REMEMBER ALIEN 1979 MOVIE BUT ITS GREAT SHORT STORY
October 14, 2022
Russian military horror, set in an icy wasteland.
December 13, 2022
Intéressant avec détails et you niveau de complexité qui exige proche examination
January 2, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews