Chant 1 : Pendragon

Excalibur : Chroniques #1

by Jean-Luc Istin, Alain Brion

Merlin un vieux druide visionnaire mais pas infaillible. Uther Pendragon, une jeune brute qui apprend à devenir un véritable roi. Ygerne, une femme battue pour ses convictions religieuses. Gorloix un pervers sadique accroc de Dieu et bourreau de sa femme. Et Morgane une adorable enfant qui voit les choses que personne ne voit, pas même Merlin. Une enfant qui souffre de savoir qu’un jour, elle sera infailliblement mauvaise.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Bande Dessinée, Fantasy, Comics

64 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Jean-Luc Istin is a comic artist and writer of mainly heroic fantasy comics, originally from the Breton town of Pontivy. He is also head of several collections published by Soleil Productions, such as Soleil Celtic, 1800, Serial Killer, Secrets du Vatican and Anticipation.

Reviews

[Mirnes Alispahić]

Gorgeous art. That's the first thing you think of when you open this graphic novel. Even though Istin (who wrote great stories in Turuk and Androids Resurrection took some liberties in re-telling of Arthurian myth he knows how to make a story and guide it. This issue ends with Uther Pendragon's death and Merlin putting Excalibur in stone. Looking forward to rest of series.

[Juho Pohjalainen]

Here's another re-imagining of the Arthurian myth... or, pre-Arthurian, to be precise. It has some good art, but I found the story itself lacking - too concerned with a more black-and-white, less morally ambiguous interpretation of the original.

Also, Morgen was bloody annoying. It's really hard to do young children with prophetic powers in a way that does not grate me, and this one does not pull it off.

[Elfo-oscuro]

La verdad es que esta muy bien hilada la historia. El dibujo sin el mejor si está muy bien definido y te sumerge en tierras britonas, deseando seguir con el numero 2

[Arthurianmaiden]

An absolutely gorgeous arthurian comic. The art is the best part, it's like a painting more than an usual western comic. I know nothing of visual art, so I can only be in awe, also I loved the characters designs.

My only problem was the sexist way women were represented. I think Igraine was naked for more than half the book, and always in suggestive poses (but nothing spine-breaking like some Marvel comics), and with her boobs way in the front.... really unnecessary, also because Uther was never sexualized as much (or ever).

Still, a part from this, the rest was lovely. The first issue deals with Merlin receiving Excalibur and helping Uther stabilize his kingdom, plus the love of Uther and Igraine. Uther is actually a good person, which is something you don't often see around, and he was lovely with Morgana, one of the best Uther & Morgana relationships I've seen in media.

If you like Uther and the idea of the love between Uther and Igraine being wholesome, this is the comic for you.

[Ankno]

Troja und König Arthur, Excalibur und Avalon gehören zu meinen liebsten Sagen und ich stürze mich gerne auf Umsetzungen. Hier geht es um Excalibur, das sagenumwobene Schwert und das Drumherum. Die Umsetzung der Arthus-Sage ist ein bisschen anders als ich es gewohnt bin. Ich habe natürlich meine Lieblingsvariante, mit der ich alles vergleiche - und hier ist es halt ein bisschen anders (und auch blutiger & brutaler). Darauf muss ich mich erst einlassen, es macht aber dennoch Spaß. Wer frankobelgische Comics mag, ist bei dem Zeichenstil gut aufgehoben. Ich habe auch die restlichen Teile und freue mich auf die weitere Geschichte.

[Lidia]

HQ com ilustrações bem bonitas, a história é curtinha e fácil de engajar apesar de não ser 100% fiel as lendas arturianas é uma versão muito boa. Quero continuar a leitura da última parte em breve.