La lotta ossessiva e mortale del capitano Achab contro la mostruosa Balena Bianca non è solo un classico della letteratura, ma anche uno degli ultimi grandi miti dell'immaginario contemporaneo. Bill Sienkiewicz ne esalta il respiro epico e simbolico, dipingendo una furiosa e mistica caduta verso gli abissi, dove eroismo e follia finiscono per confondersi irrimediabilmente.
Boleslav William Felix Robert Sienkiewicz is an American artist known for his work in comic books—particularly for Marvel Comics' New Mutants, Moon Knight, and Elektra: Assassin. He is the co-creator of the character David Haller / Legion, the basis for the FX television series Legion. Sienkiewicz's work in the 1980s was considered revolutionary in mainstream US comics due to his highly stylized art that verged on abstraction and made use of oil painting, photorealism, collage, mimeograph, and other forms generally uncommon in comic books.
When I was eight years old, I was enamored enough with my children's adaptation of Moby-Dick that I asked for the unabridged text for Christmas. The edition I received had a cover that would haunt me for the rest of my life—a cover I love so much that years later, I was the one who uploaded a scan of it to Goodreads—the blue-white ghost of a sperm whale's tail vanishing into the black, diffused by a veil of a thousand misty droplets of water.
That cover art, of course, was taken from the final two-page spread of this comic. Much like the children's adaptation I read over twenty years ago, this is but a pale shade of its source material, but that alone is enough to enrapture and inspire—and to my delight, the other thirty-eight pages of Sienkiewicz's art are an equal to his rendering of "the great shroud," awash with lantern haze and eerie blue and jumping from style to style to do justice to Melville's freewheeling vision. The result exists in a strange space, pulled in too many directions by its obligations—it is at once too thin to be mistaken for anything other than a gloss of the original text and too abstract to suit the needs of a comic—but teeming with the eerie and the oneiric all the same.
Excelente adaptação da história original. Contém os momentos mais icónicos, no entanto, e sem que isso estragasse a experiência dos acontecimentos finais, senti falta, a meio da leitura, da exploração de alguns elementos mais filosóficos e comtemplativos. Em relação ao traço, sombrio e místico, e às cores, tanto vivas como "mortas", evidenciam o que o texto representa. Desejo de vingança, obsessão e destino, a ironia do fim e a certeza de que a natureza sempre continua o seu curso, independentemente das vontades do Homem. Moby Dick está muito bem representada como o ser diabólico, que nada mais é do que inocente, o bode expiatório para a vida que teima em não seguir em frente.
I know what you're thinking: A comic book abridgment of a classic novel? Buh? This isn't a replacement for reading Moby Dick. What it is is 40+ pages of just insanely gorgeous and badass illustrations of Moby Dick by Bill Sienkiewicz. Seriously, I'd like to have framed prints of like half of the pages in this thing.
Ich konnte die Faszination für Moby Dick nie verstehen. Das Thema, die Länge des Buches und die bekannte fehlende Handlung haben mich nie angesprochen. Als ich dann die Doku von Caitlin Doughty und ihrem Team sah, die sich mit der wahren Geschichte von Moby Dick befasste, hat mich die letzte Spur vom Interesse an dem Klassiker von Herman Melville verlassen. Eine Comic-Version ist jedoch komplett was anderes. Ich habe gehofft eine kurze Zusammenfassung des Buches zu lesen und die habe ich auch bekommen. Nein, die Geschichte hat mir auch in dieser Version nicht gefallen, dennoch war ich von der beindruckenden graphischen Gestaltung von Bill Sienkiewicz überwältigt. Leider kann ich in den Worten nicht beschreiben, wie faszinierend, bildstark und innovativ die Graphik war. So etwas habe ich noch nie gesehen!
Geschichte an sich: 2* Überarbeitung der Geschichte: 3* Illustrationen: 5*
El libro chochea en su narrativa. Normal, teniendo en cuenta que está adaptando una novela densa de cojones de cientos de paginas en poco más de 40 páginas. Pero joder, en términos de dibujo, menudas 40 páginas. Me han dado ganas de leerme el libro.
A poor second to the Melville book, I bought this when I thought I might never read the original. This is the movie version of only the tale of the Pequod and Ahab's relentless pursuit of the white whale. All spooky, dark illustrations (the main attraction), stripped of all Melville's whaling information. When I finished this I had to watch John Huston's film again.
Illustrated Classics is a brilliant idea, and Bill Sienkiewics's adaptation is outstanding. My girls are 9 and I couldn't get them interested in this particular epic, but that's fine considering how violent and dark the story is, but this distillation method (143 chapters in the original, 43 pages in comic version) works so well I'll definitely try again in a few years.
Mobi Dik ilustratora Bila Sinkeviča je strip adaptacija čuvenog istoimenog romana Hermana Melvila koja je nastala 1990. godine. O samoj radnji neću mnogo trošiti reči, mislim da smo skoro svi upoznati sa pričom o kapetanu Ahabu i njegovom potragom za belim kitom bilo kroz samu knjigu ili kroz razne filmske ili stripske adaptacije. Reći ću samo da se ova adaptacija prostire na manje od 50 strana, ali nije toliko pitka za čitanje kao što deluje na prvi pogled. Cela adaptacija je pisana u narativnom tonu, bez dijaloga. Možemo je posmatrati kao sažetu ilustrovanu knjigu.
Ono što posebno ističe ovo delo jeste njegov crtež. Bil Sinkevič je poznat po svojoj eksperimentalnoj umetničkoj tehnici koja često uključuje upotrebu različitih tehnika, kao što su tuš, markeri, bojice i akvareli, kako bi stvorio dinamične slike. Njegov stil se odlikuje složenim kompozicijama, igrom svetla i senke, te apstraktnim elementima. Kada je u pitanju adaptacija Mobi Dika, Sinkevič primenjuje svoju umetničku veštinu kako bi preneo dramu i epsku prirodu romana Hermana Melvila. Očekujte vizuelno upečatljive slike, karakterističan stil crtanja i pažljivo osmišljene kompozicije. Sa likovne strane, Sinkevičev Mobi Dik se može smatrati pravim remek delom.
Za razliku od Šabuteove verzije (koju možete pročitati u izdanjima Besne kobile i Fibre), rekao bih da Sinkevič nije hteo da bude novi Melvil, već da ostavi svoj lični pečat. Strip je predstavljen kao niz snimaka iz noćne more koju je Ismail sanjao, ali sada trenutno ne može da se seti svega u potpunosti.
Da je adaptacija dosta duža, siguran sam da bi se ovaj strip svrstavao u kategoriju jedan od najboljih ikad.
First, the illustrations are really good, the story is condensed well and it has its usual biography, this time of Herman Melville.
The story is, of course, about an obsessed ship Captain whose leg was eaten off by Moby Dick, a white whale. A young man makes a friend with another man and both men sign on the captain's whaling ship which apparently is due for a three year voyage.
(Cue The Wellerman song.)
It becomes pretty obvious that Ahab is not exactly the most sane individual in the world.
One very interesting part of the story is that it describes the rather revolting things that are done to any whale they catch.
Then it's time for Moby Dick vs. Captain Ahab and his crew. First couple rounds go easily to the whale. Then it's time for the final round, a one-on-one duel between Ahab and Moby Dick (after the whale had destroyed Ahab's boat, though.)
The whole point of the story seems to be about obsession and how it basically drives all reason out of a person. That type of obsession doesn't end well.
It's a true classic story and in a format that makes it easy to read and to visualize.
Šta Biblija, Orvelova 1984 i Mobi Dik imaju zajedničko? Pored toga što su klasici, dobar deo stanovništva tvrdi da ih voli i/ili da ih je pročitao, a nije.
Ja, evo, nisam pročitao Mobi(ja) Dika, streljajte me. Kao ljubitelj fantastike, dužina romana mi nikada nije bila problem, ali strepim od njegovog sadržaja. Kao male su nas zastrašivali Babarogom i da ćemo biti banderaši ako ne čitamo lektiru, dok nas kao odrasle zastrašuju košenjem u Karenjinoj i opisom kitova i lova u Mobi(ju) Diku. Ali pošto majka (možda ne tako očigledno) nije pičku rodila, odlučio sam da se ipak upustim u čitanje ovog američkog klasika, a naročito nakon čitanja Sinkevičeve vizuelne interpretacije.
Pošto mi je esencija radnje Mobi(ja) Dika poznata kao i svima, neću te zamarati njom, o, putniče namerniče ovog utiska. Uostalom, kada prelistate Sinkevičevu adaptaciju, shvatićete da je fokus upravo na vizuelnom - čovek je eksperimentisao do iznemoglosti. Markeri, akvarel, tuš, bojice, će bude svega b'ate. Kombinacija apstraktne, mračne i morbidne vizuelizacije daće ovoj priči gotovo lavkraftovski prizvuk, gde nijedno lice, nijedan kit, nijedan lov neće biti u potpunosti vizuelno jasni, a bogami menjaće i oblik.
Uprkos apstraktnoj vizuelnoj interpretaciji, propratna tekstualna naracija nam pomaže da "složimo kockice" i shvatimo šta se dešava u sceni, i da samim tim još više cenimo Sinkevičeve likovne poteze. Zapravo, i bez ikakvog dodatnog konteksta, svaka od njegovih scena je jedno pravo umetničko delo i uopšte se ne bih bunio da posedujem uramljeni print bilo kojeg od panela.
Tamo gde ova konkretna stripska interpretacija posustaje, a zapravo je možda i sam čitalac (čitaj ja) kriv, je što strip ipak zahteva malu dozu predznanja i dubljeg poznavanja Mobi(ja) Dika. Da, naracija je tu, ali 40 stripskih strana jedva da može predstaviti roman od skoro 800 strana u pravom svetlu, te sam prekasno shvatio da nisam uradio domaći i da sam za ovaj strip maltene banderaš.
Sinkevičev Mobi Dik definitivno vredi makar prelistati i upiti ga vizuelno, a možda vas, kao i mene, motiviše da radite na tome da se jednom i iskreno pohvalite kako ste pročitali priču o poludelom kapetanu Ahabu.
Bill Sienkiewicz’s Classics Illustrated: Moby Dick is a stunning reimagining of Melville’s timeless novel. With his unmistakable style—at once fluid, expressionistic, and deeply emotional—Sienkiewicz captures the grandeur, obsession, and metaphysical depth of Moby Dick like few others have. Faithful to the spirit and the text, yet alive with his own artistic vision, Sienkiewicz turns the eternal struggle between good and evil (though one can still ask: is Moby Dick truly evil?) into a sequence of haunting, almost dreamlike tableaux. Every page feels like a revelation, every line of ink and color charged with meaning. It’s a rare adaptation that stands as both homage and original work of art. Sublime, intense, and unforgettable.
Ovo je druga adaptacija Mobi Dika koju sam procitao u kratkom vremenskom razmaku. Prva je bila od Chaboutea.
I dok Chaboute pravi adaptaciju u stilu klasične franko belgijske škole, Bill Sienkiewicz nam daje adaptaciju u vidu dnevnika Ismaila koji je propraćen fenomenalnim crtežima.
Vizuelno je Bill neprevaziđen i način na koji oslikava svene iz ovog romana je apsolutno fenomenalan. Radnja je sužena na osnovu ali gorčina i težina mornarskom života u potrazi za kitovima je opipljiva poput one u samom romanu.
Ne mogu da se setim grafičke novele u kojoj autor tako dobro četa mrak i morsku tamu.
Adattamento molto bello di quel capolavoro assoluto che è Moby Dick, sia per le scelte grafiche che per la selezione/adattamento dei testi. Unica pecca, per quanto riguarda l'edizione italiana pubblicata da NPE, il formato eccessivamente piccolo, che spesso rende difficoltosa la lettura dei testi. Limite questo che ho riscontrato in altre occasioni nei volumi di autori non italiani pubblicati da NPE, che per il resto rimane invece un'ottima casa editrice sia per selezione dei titoli sia qualità della stampa.
Little more than an illustrated book (which I guess I could've guessed from the original title of the series this was a part of, Classics Illustrated). The art is, of course, incredible. It's Sienkiewicz. At his peak, no less (has he peaked yet?).
But the story... It's abridged, rewritten and made to fit captions. And it doesn't work well that way. It turns a literary classic into a heavy handed and shallow tale. Bill's talent feels wasted on this
Eccezionale, davvero eccezionale questo adattamento dell’immortale capolavoro di Herman Melville targato Bill Sienkiewicz. Il fumettista non ha certo bisogno di presentazioni ma riuscire a rendere graficamente ineccepibile un classico della letteratura come Moby Dick, non è cosa da tutti.
Una graphic novel da sviscerare e conservare. Un’opera di grandissimo prestigio, che lascia inalterato il fascino eterno del romanzo originale, condensando il tutto in sole 48 pagine superbamente illustrate.
I really liked this! A retelling of Moby Dick in graphic novel form, it's a quick but fulfilling read. The art is unique and really captures the story. In fact, the art really sells the story for me. Well adapted, & while nothing can replace the classic novel itself, this is a good place to start or reacquaint yourself with Moby Dick.
I'm not a great Sienkiewicz fan but appreciate his artwork in various places. This story is so well represented through his artwork. I can remember many years ago trying to read Melville's tome but giving up. This graphic novel approach helped to at least understand the motivations of Captain Ahab et al.
Si no habéis leído Moby Dick, os envidio por tener la posibilidad de descubrirla.
Tengo dos o tres adaptaciones a cómic e ilustradas, pero esta que presento aquí es la mejor. La adaptación de #billsienkiewicz es una pasada, tanto los dibujos como el color y la aplicación de técnicas mixtas. Una animalada de ilustraciones que se salen de las viñetas y las páginas para salpicarte la maldita locura del capitán Ahab, que es en lo que se centra: sus obsesiones y demonios, a colores y claroscuros. Sin omitir las que van a doble página mostrando la grandilocuencia de la ballena.
Si tenéis la oportunidad de haceros con este libro, no lo dudéis. Es un tesoro.
Bill Sienkiewicz, allucinato disegnatore di Daredevil ed Elektra nel miglior periodo di Frank Miller, innovatore radicale dei comics in un periodo di grande innovazione quale furono gli ‘80, fautore di una qualità pittorica allora inedita, vanta nel suo curriculum anche il migliore adattamento di Moby Dick che mi sia capitato di leggere, forse il migliore possibile. E del resto era forse l’autore più adatto: al suo posto Dave McKean ne avrebbe dato un’interpretazione meno oscura, Mike Mignola una meno onirica (sarei tuttavia curioso di leggerle entrambe).
E mentre il nostrano Dino Battaglia ha preferito nella sua versione del capolavoro melvilliano concentrarsi sull’azione, creando la classica avventura per ragazzi, Sienkiewicz raccoglie e distilla anche i simbolismi più complessi di cui la prosa di Melville è ricca ad ogni capoverso, restituendo la profondità e lo spessore dell’originale in sole 48 tavole. Molti episodi sono risolti in un paio di vignette, con scelte spesso inattese ma straordinariamente efficaci; ai momenti più intensi tuttavia sono dedicate tavole intere. Nell’adattamento di Battaglia dominavano ovviamente gli azzurri, assieme ad un curioso ocra e ad ampie campiture bianche; Sienkiewicz invece usa il nero come colore di fondo, a rappresentare le profondità della stiva, degli abissi e dell’animo di Achab, e lo squarcia di vampe come tizzoni ardenti. Alla parte testuale ha collaborato anche D.G. Chichester, il cui Daredevil sinceramente non mi era piaciuto molto a suo tempo; attualmente lavora per l’agenzia pubblicitaria Ogilvy & Mather, la stessa presso cui erano stati impiegati, prima di diventare quello che sappiamo, DeLillo e Rushdie.
La mia impressione è che nell’ambito degli adattamenti a fumetti questa graphic novel stabilisca uno standard. Da anni mi ripromettevo di procurarmi l’edizione originale, finché lo scorso settembre la Nicola Pesce Editore si è presentata al Treviso Comic Book Festival 2012 con l’edizione italiana.
Every now and then I feel an urge to read one of the classics that I never got around to in HS or college, so it was with Moby Dick. An amazing book for the time it was written, but doesn't translate very well in the current year. Full of obscure references to mythological and biblical characters, along with everything you could ever want to know about 19th century whaling. But who am I to be critical of a classic!
J'ai toujours cette retenue de me dire que si l'auteur s'amuse à lire ces critiques goodreads, il faut quand même respecter le travail de l'artiste, ne pas oublier l'être humain derrière qui peut être blessé.
Mais allez, on va supposer qu'il n'est peut-être pas francophone et ne lira pas que je le revendrais bien... Les dessins étaient jolis. Le projet peut-être trop ambitieux pour tenir en 40 pages. (un peu comme si on faisait 40 planches de la communauté de l'anneau...)
This was an interesting story. It is interesting to see how people wrote in the past, it really puts the present to shame, of course, today we would just watch a video on many of the finer parts that he went over.
I know there is a lot of allusions to the past in the book. It would be interesting to read a commentary on the book because any allusions went right over my head.