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Barracuda #1
Barakuda - 1 - Niewolnicy
Emilio, a young servant disguised as a woman to escape the pirates’ blood thirst. Maria, daughter of a Spanish grandee, captured by the same pirates. Raffy, son of Captain Blackdog of the pirate ship Barracuda. All three of them taken to Puerto Blanco, all three of them left behind when the Barracuda leaves to seek a fabulous diamond. What twisted fates await them on the island, amidst the various groups that vie for dominance there ?
56 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2010
8 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Jean Dufaux
470 books85 followersJean Dufaux is a Belgian comic book writer. Beginning his professional career as a journalist for "Ciné-presse", Dufaux started writing comic books in the 1980s. Perhaps his most well-known, and certainly his most long-running, series is Jessica Blandy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 28, 2025
CN. A lot of stuff
I love pirates. I adore Black Sails, which definitely has it's brutal and heavy moments, but always with a thoughtful and engaging narrative element.
Unfortunately, this read like generic pirate edgelord stuff with some unbelievably gross depiction and characterisation of women and Black people.
The one interesting element was the gender questioning son who was disguised as a girl and was vibing with it.
I love pirates. I adore Black Sails, which definitely has it's brutal and heavy moments, but always with a thoughtful and engaging narrative element.
Unfortunately, this read like generic pirate edgelord stuff with some unbelievably gross depiction and characterisation of women and Black people.
The one interesting element was the gender questioning son who was disguised as a girl and was vibing with it.
March 1, 2018
4,5/5. De belles illustrations et une histoire de pirates assez classique font de cette BD un succès. Rien de bien original certes, mais divertissant et agréable à lire. Plus que suffisant pour me donner le goût de poursuivre l'aventure pendant quelques tomes. Je verrai ensuite où s'en va le tout, mais pour l'instant j'accroche!
July 14, 2020
The art is amazing and worth 4 stars. The plot is pretty contrived, and the dialogue is off (though that is probably the translators fault) and are behind the two star review.
- If I was a young boy trying to avoid abuse from pirates, dressing as a girl would not be my first choice for escape.
- If I was a young boy trying to avoid abuse from pirates, dressing as a girl would not be my first choice for escape.
February 14, 2019
Coup de cœur!
August 24, 2022
CN: Sexual assault and threat of sexual assault are consistent plot elements.
October 11, 2015
De retour dans le monde des pirates avec cette bande dessinée (je vous assure, je ne lis pas que des histoires de pirates en bd, je suis juste les recommandations et je ne m'en plains pas ^^). Le scénario de ce premier tome est plutôt basique : un navire pirate, un navire espagnol = un abordage, une vente d'esclave et la découverte d'un trésor fabuleux (enfin, la promesse d'un trésor fabuleux). Mais le tout se démarque, d'une part grâce à l'ambivalence du dessin ( les traits des personnages sont à la fois féminins et masculins, tout du moins pour les plus jeunes, et j'ai eu du mal à discerner tout de suite les femmes des hommes : clairement, pour moi Raffy était une fille... et non, je n'ai pas lu la quatrième avant d'ouvrir, je ne lis jamais les quatrièmes si le livre m'est recommandé). Donc je disais que le dessin portait une ambivalence de genre qui m'a plue et en plus j'ai trouvé le tout réellement détaillé, notamment dans les traits des visages. L'autre point fort selon moi, ce sont les couleurs ! Surtout l'utilisation du rouge ( d'une robe, de sang, du bandana de Raffy...) au milieu d'une palette la plupart du temps assez neutre (et grise). Du coup entre les couleurs et les détails, il y a beaucoup de choses à regarder, j'ai été tellement concentrée sur les planches que j'ai fait moins attention aux bulles. Cependant, l'histoire se suit avec plaisir et j'ai particulièrement apprécié les déboires de Maria ( même si personnellement, je ne me serais pas contentée de la fouetter mais bon...) et son côté hargneux dont Raffy pourra témoigner... En ce qui concerne Emilio, il semble rempli de promesses mais j'ai un peu de mal pour l'instant à cerner le personnage ( que cherche-t-il en continuant à se faire passer pour une fille ?). Bref, trois héros attachants dont j'ai hâte de découvrir le destin ( et RIP pour la mère de Maria, mais ça c'était couru d'avance). J'aime bien les moines aussi .... et je me dis que les pirates ne font pas forcément une bonne opération en courant après le trésor... ( du coup, ça risque de vite devenir compliqué pour Raffy, vu qu'il va se retrouver un peu isolé à terre !)
Ce que j'aime : L'utilisation du rouge, le rouge et la colorisation ! Les détails des visages. L'ambivalence des genres des personnages ( et le fait que ce soit une gouverneure), le scénario rempli de trésor et d'aventure avec un brin de cruauté
Ce que j'aime moins : bah personnellement, un côté plus hard ne m'aurait pas choquée
En bref : Un premier tome graphiquement très réussi (je suis amoureuse de la colorisation) et dont le scénario, très aventureux, promet de belles choses pour la suite
Ma note
7,5/10
October 23, 2014
Pirates have appeal, it seems they always had. It is a very interesting thing to observe for such a criminal, violent activity producing such an attraction, for such vicious villains becoming romanticized heroes more often than not. Yours truly is no exception, in historical books or pure fiction I surprise myself picturing them as valiant adventurers before starting to consider their savage nature and brutal acts. It is no different with the comics written and illustrated by the Belgian duo, Jean Dufaux and Jérémy Petiqueux, “Barracuda”.
The famed pirate ship Barracuda, led by the infamous captain Blackdog, seizes a vessel and capture some of the passengers travelling on it, Doña Del Scuebo, her daughter Maria and Emilio, a young servant boy who disguises himself as a girl in order to avoid being killed by the pirates, the fate of almost every man on board of the captured ship. The three of them are brought to Puerto Blanco and sold as slaves under the supervision of Blackdog’s son, Raffy.
There is nothing romanticized in the pirates of this first volume of “Barracuda”, they are a lot as vicious as they can be. Even from the beginning their courses of action lead to utter violence, exploitation and abuse. However, Jean Dufaux and Jérémy manage to keep the ugly side of the story in check, the ferocity of vile acts are more hinted at rather than treated in full graphic, verbal violence preceding the physical one and plenty of the misdeeds taking place off screen, sparing characters and readers alike from full front extreme brutality. The conflicts still escalate, but most often only into swashbuckling scenes typically associated with such adventures. “Barracuda – Slaves” is still a dark and fierce story, but nicely rounded so it cannot turn into an offensive tale.
My full review can be found at http://darkwolfsfantasyreviews.blogsp...
The famed pirate ship Barracuda, led by the infamous captain Blackdog, seizes a vessel and capture some of the passengers travelling on it, Doña Del Scuebo, her daughter Maria and Emilio, a young servant boy who disguises himself as a girl in order to avoid being killed by the pirates, the fate of almost every man on board of the captured ship. The three of them are brought to Puerto Blanco and sold as slaves under the supervision of Blackdog’s son, Raffy.
There is nothing romanticized in the pirates of this first volume of “Barracuda”, they are a lot as vicious as they can be. Even from the beginning their courses of action lead to utter violence, exploitation and abuse. However, Jean Dufaux and Jérémy manage to keep the ugly side of the story in check, the ferocity of vile acts are more hinted at rather than treated in full graphic, verbal violence preceding the physical one and plenty of the misdeeds taking place off screen, sparing characters and readers alike from full front extreme brutality. The conflicts still escalate, but most often only into swashbuckling scenes typically associated with such adventures. “Barracuda – Slaves” is still a dark and fierce story, but nicely rounded so it cannot turn into an offensive tale.
My full review can be found at http://darkwolfsfantasyreviews.blogsp...
January 12, 2019
This one started good. Ok scenario,basic pirate story with sexy girls, macho pirates, a cursed treasure, slaves, secluded islands etc,nothing you can't find in Black Sails, Pirates of the Caribbean or that series with Malcovich.
But the illustrations! Oh, the illustrations are superb, hats off to Monsieur Jeremy. Colors, facial expresions, backgrounds and characters in general are great. Can't find a flaw. It's a sight for sore eyes and the perfect example of the evolution of ligne claire in the last 2 decades.
When it comes to the cinebook edition, I can say with all my heart. Cinebook, everytime you publish superb BDs in small format, a kid dies. Get your shit together and treat them properly, don't suffocate them.
But the illustrations! Oh, the illustrations are superb, hats off to Monsieur Jeremy. Colors, facial expresions, backgrounds and characters in general are great. Can't find a flaw. It's a sight for sore eyes and the perfect example of the evolution of ligne claire in the last 2 decades.
When it comes to the cinebook edition, I can say with all my heart. Cinebook, everytime you publish superb BDs in small format, a kid dies. Get your shit together and treat them properly, don't suffocate them.
July 12, 2017
The art is lovely, as is the colour and overall layout for the panels, but what a strange and not very well told plot! And fairly predictable too, save for perhaps the fact that Emilia isn't Emilia but Emilio (not a spoiler really, it's no mystery, it's said straight away at the start). Both her and the rest of the characters could've been done better and not so superficially and so thinly crafted.
January 20, 2024
Čekal jsem pořádnej pirátskej komiks, dostal jsem... drsnější červenou knihovnu? Na začátku se přepadne loď, je tu pěkná krvavá bitva, jedou se prodat otroci. Dobrý. Jenže pak piráti odplují a my sledujeme 3 teenagery, kteří zůstali trčet na pevnině. A pak už se až do konce jede místy hodně klišovitá (a občas krvavá) vztahovka.
Čte se do dobře, ale chování postav je občas nelogický a až moc násilný kvůli scénáři.
Čte se do dobře, ale chování postav je občas nelogický a až moc násilný kvůli scénáři.
September 8, 2015
Und noch eine Serie von Comic-Urgestein Dufaux. Dieses Mal also Piraten. Im Unterschied zu anderen Serien spielt sich diese Seeräuber Geschichte allerdings hauptsächlich an Land ab, nämlich auf der Pirateninsel Puerto Blanco.
Sehr schöne Zeichnungen und die Story liest sich auch gut weg. Abwarten und Rum trinken...
Sehr schöne Zeichnungen und die Story liest sich auch gut weg. Abwarten und Rum trinken...
April 14, 2024
The author is weaving several plotlines here so there is a lot of setup.
The setting is convincingly portrayed. Puerto Blanco is a city of brutal savagery, but with rules. Violations of the pirates code are punished by death or worse.
There are 4 main storylines at this point. 2 concern children who were captured by pirates and auctioned in Puerto Blanco. A ruthless girl who lives only for revenge. And a boy who goes trans after wearing a dress as a disguise. This is weird but at least it’s not a big a part of the book. The third concerns the icy, vicious son of the pirate captain, who has vowed revenge against the girl after she almost killed him. And lastly, the pirate captain who has gone in search of an accursed diamond.
Other characters include an old voodoo witch, a mysterious nobleman who lives in a dilapidated manor, the town’s improbably female mayor, an order of monks, a slave master, and a castaway swordsman.
The art is quite charming, with notable attention to historical detail and color. In particular the lighting, which is either sunlight, moonlight, or flame. Jeremy is careful to include candles, torches, lanterns, or hearth fires when called for. And this is a huge part of the atmosphere, of bringing the setting to life. On the whole the production is lavish with a strong dimensional quality.
Jeremy is not a natural draftsman, however. His line lacks the lyricism of the best BD artists, and his figures are often awkward or stiff. Facial expressions are also weak.
The setting is convincingly portrayed. Puerto Blanco is a city of brutal savagery, but with rules. Violations of the pirates code are punished by death or worse.
There are 4 main storylines at this point. 2 concern children who were captured by pirates and auctioned in Puerto Blanco. A ruthless girl who lives only for revenge. And a boy who goes trans after wearing a dress as a disguise. This is weird but at least it’s not a big a part of the book. The third concerns the icy, vicious son of the pirate captain, who has vowed revenge against the girl after she almost killed him. And lastly, the pirate captain who has gone in search of an accursed diamond.
Other characters include an old voodoo witch, a mysterious nobleman who lives in a dilapidated manor, the town’s improbably female mayor, an order of monks, a slave master, and a castaway swordsman.
The art is quite charming, with notable attention to historical detail and color. In particular the lighting, which is either sunlight, moonlight, or flame. Jeremy is careful to include candles, torches, lanterns, or hearth fires when called for. And this is a huge part of the atmosphere, of bringing the setting to life. On the whole the production is lavish with a strong dimensional quality.
Jeremy is not a natural draftsman, however. His line lacks the lyricism of the best BD artists, and his figures are often awkward or stiff. Facial expressions are also weak.
December 23, 2019
We're in the 17th century Caribbean and a ship is attacked by the infamous pirate vessel known as The Barracuda. We follow three characters captured to be sold into slavery; a Spanish noblewoman, her daughter Maria and their androgynous servant Emilio.
Said noblewoman is saved by idealistic monks who buy slaves only to free them, whereas Maria is sold to a slave trader who intends to keep her as a wife, and Emilio - successfully passing himself off as a girl - is a sold to a mysterious nobleman who doesn't regret the purchase even after finding out she's a he. At the same time you've got Raffi, the son of the captain of the Barracuda who's eager to prove himself, and the vengeful captain of the ship that was sunk by the Barracuda. Then add a legendary diamond to the mix, and that's the premise for Barracuda.
This volume definitely feels like its setting up what has the potential to be a solid story. The level of the artwork is generally quite high with a decent amount of detail. I don't think a story like this should pull any punches though and it could only benefit from foregoing the innocent 12+ rating.
Said noblewoman is saved by idealistic monks who buy slaves only to free them, whereas Maria is sold to a slave trader who intends to keep her as a wife, and Emilio - successfully passing himself off as a girl - is a sold to a mysterious nobleman who doesn't regret the purchase even after finding out she's a he. At the same time you've got Raffi, the son of the captain of the Barracuda who's eager to prove himself, and the vengeful captain of the ship that was sunk by the Barracuda. Then add a legendary diamond to the mix, and that's the premise for Barracuda.
This volume definitely feels like its setting up what has the potential to be a solid story. The level of the artwork is generally quite high with a decent amount of detail. I don't think a story like this should pull any punches though and it could only benefit from foregoing the innocent 12+ rating.
April 16, 2022
Európske komiksy, ktoré vychádzajú vo vydateľstve Josef Vybíral majú často výraznú výhodu vo svojej kresbe. A Barakuda je toho krásnym príkladom.
Príbeh sleduje dianie na pirátskom ostrove, kde je život drsný a nebežpečný aj pre ľudí, ktorí vedia ako to tu chodí. Avšak ak sa na takomto hroznom mieste objaví niekto z vonku, znamená to jediné - boj o život.
Počas prvých dvoch kníh sledujeme osudy niekoľkých postáv. Niektoré sa vyskytnú len v úvode a potom o nich dlhšie nepočuť. Niektoré nás zase sprevádzajú počas celého diania a máme tak možnosť sledovať ich vývoj. Nedá sa povedať, že by bol scenár nudný, ale nie je dostatočne strhujúci. Motivácie postáv sú prezentované dosť polopatisticky a chýba tu nejaký moment prekvapenia.
Ako som už naznačil v úvode, kresba neduhy príbehu skvele kompenzuje. Kresba akcie, ale aj statických scén je vynikajúca a často sa mi stalo, že mi bolo jedno čo nejaká postava hovorí, ale zameral som sa skôr na detaily kresby.
Komiks odporúčam pre fanúšikov pirátskeho prostredia, ktorý sa radi kochajú kresbou. Prepracovaný príbeh ale nečakajte.
Príbeh sleduje dianie na pirátskom ostrove, kde je život drsný a nebežpečný aj pre ľudí, ktorí vedia ako to tu chodí. Avšak ak sa na takomto hroznom mieste objaví niekto z vonku, znamená to jediné - boj o život.
Počas prvých dvoch kníh sledujeme osudy niekoľkých postáv. Niektoré sa vyskytnú len v úvode a potom o nich dlhšie nepočuť. Niektoré nás zase sprevádzajú počas celého diania a máme tak možnosť sledovať ich vývoj. Nedá sa povedať, že by bol scenár nudný, ale nie je dostatočne strhujúci. Motivácie postáv sú prezentované dosť polopatisticky a chýba tu nejaký moment prekvapenia.
Ako som už naznačil v úvode, kresba neduhy príbehu skvele kompenzuje. Kresba akcie, ale aj statických scén je vynikajúca a často sa mi stalo, že mi bolo jedno čo nejaká postava hovorí, ale zameral som sa skôr na detaily kresby.
Komiks odporúčam pre fanúšikov pirátskeho prostredia, ktorý sa radi kochajú kresbou. Prepracovaný príbeh ale nečakajte.
May 14, 2020
Excellent Artwork, Gritty Story
First off, this is one of the best illustrated graphic novels I've ever seen. The style is perfect for the story and conveys so much.
The story so far isn't anything spectacular, though instead as a girl crossdressing for protection, it's a boy, so that's different. Pirates take over a ship and take the women as slaves, with a boy crossdressing to save his life. It's a dark and gritty story, with violence and threats of rape. There's exposed breasts, but not for fanservice; it's another part of the violence.
I probably won't continue with the series, as it looks likely there will be sexual violence, and that ain't for me, but if you're someone who wants a darker story with villainous pirates, illustrated perfectly, then I would recommend. Definitely not for a younger or more sensitive audience though.
First off, this is one of the best illustrated graphic novels I've ever seen. The style is perfect for the story and conveys so much.
The story so far isn't anything spectacular, though instead as a girl crossdressing for protection, it's a boy, so that's different. Pirates take over a ship and take the women as slaves, with a boy crossdressing to save his life. It's a dark and gritty story, with violence and threats of rape. There's exposed breasts, but not for fanservice; it's another part of the violence.
I probably won't continue with the series, as it looks likely there will be sexual violence, and that ain't for me, but if you're someone who wants a darker story with villainous pirates, illustrated perfectly, then I would recommend. Definitely not for a younger or more sensitive audience though.
May 30, 2023
Kdybych hledal ukázku pro "nenadchne, ani neurazí", tak bych mohl použít tento komiks. Nenadchl mě ani scénář, ani kresba. Děj je poněkud naivní, nepravděpodobný, ale zároveň i předvídatelný. Postavy jsou hodně stereotypní. Nemůžu ale říct, že bych se nebavil.
Kresba je pěkná, ale to je tak všechno. Scénář nedává Jérémymu šanci zazářit. Nestalo se mi, že bych otočil stránku a vydechl úžasem. Ani jednou mě kresba neohromila a nedokázala mě pořádně vtáhnout do děje. Jsem zvědavý, jestli se to této sérii podaří v některé z následujících knih.
Kresba je pěkná, ale to je tak všechno. Scénář nedává Jérémymu šanci zazářit. Nestalo se mi, že bych otočil stránku a vydechl úžasem. Ani jednou mě kresba neohromila a nedokázala mě pořádně vtáhnout do děje. Jsem zvědavý, jestli se to této sérii podaří v některé z následujících knih.
February 10, 2024
This is review for first two volumes as I believe first one was nore of introduction on its own. Exceptional story telling and art ,just shame about the feeling of modern agenda being forced in. Will continue to read and see.
June 19, 2018
Beautifully drawn, but I don't like any of the characters and the tone is oppressively dark.
November 5, 2019
Bei personaggi, bellissima sceneggiatura, ottimi disegni, dinamici ed espressivi. Una prima puntata col botto. Speriamo che le altre della serie lo siano altrettanto.
January 12, 2020
Superbe histoire de pirates tout en restant sur la terre et de magnifiques dessins
February 11, 2020
3.7
Tiene buena pinta la serie, aunque el primer tomo es poco más que la introducción de los personajes y el setting de lo que supongo será la aventura a desarrollar en el resto.
Tiene buena pinta la serie, aunque el primer tomo es poco más que la introducción de los personajes y el setting de lo que supongo será la aventura a desarrollar en el resto.
August 1, 2020
A good start.
I like to be pleasantly surprised and this did it. Reminds A LOT the Black Sails tv-series...
I like to be pleasantly surprised and this did it. Reminds A LOT the Black Sails tv-series...
February 24, 2021
These are not your usual "seems bad, but good people down in the heart" pirates. These are the worst scum of the earth and their island is a real hellhole. I'm definitely interested what comes next.
October 10, 2021
Beautiful story, beautiful art. Combined tell a very good story. Looking forward to seeing where this one takes me.
July 12, 2022
He leído los dos primeros tomos, y creo que me bajo aquí. No he acabado de conectar con la historia ni con los personajes principales.
February 20, 2023
Beautiful drawings, I can't say much about the story because it is only a first issue, but it made me curious to read more...
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
August 15, 2025
Zanimljivo, teram dalje.
November 29, 2025
2,5 i guess.
September 12, 2022
2013 = £7.99 = $13.95
Could be ***** easily if it weren't for the unexplainable actions and circumstances. There were a bunch but the two by Flynn made the least sense (price paid and allowing the risk of wandering about at night- how's that for vague?). Maybe Dufaux can explain some but I think he's relying on the reader to let a few things slide realistic-wise. ->{{He's answers the biggest in style during tome 2}}<-
The action is what this tome is all about and it's fierce! Visciousk!!
The art is top-tier as well- Jérémy captures the flavor of the Caribbean with precision of boat, locale, dress and especially rank looking individuals.
Censor/Censure Corner:
I ->love<- Cinebook. But they're still prudes that regularly edit out or draw clothing over nudity- that's often not even erotic. Until this one, that is! Whaaaat? They let many frames of total-exposure ("underage") breast slide out of nowhere. Maybe they are growing up and helping those poor British kids be less of weirdo perverts from all the withholding of matters of "sex" until the kinks are already in place.
Could be ***** easily if it weren't for the unexplainable actions and circumstances. There were a bunch but the two by Flynn made the least sense (price paid and allowing the risk of wandering about at night- how's that for vague?). Maybe Dufaux can explain some but I think he's relying on the reader to let a few things slide realistic-wise. ->{{He's answers the biggest in style during tome 2}}<-
The action is what this tome is all about and it's fierce! Visciousk!!
The art is top-tier as well- Jérémy captures the flavor of the Caribbean with precision of boat, locale, dress and especially rank looking individuals.
Censor/Censure Corner:
I ->love<- Cinebook. But they're still prudes that regularly edit out or draw clothing over nudity- that's often not even erotic. Until this one, that is! Whaaaat? They let many frames of total-exposure ("underage") breast slide out of nowhere. Maybe they are growing up and helping those poor British kids be less of weirdo perverts from all the withholding of matters of "sex" until the kinks are already in place.
December 4, 2020
Barracuda Vol 1-4
The story is okay. There are some inconsistencies but overall it's entertaining. Part 1 was maybe to my liking. As gritty as can be. They subsequent parts do not compare. The character of Fernando is very lazy writing. All three lead character are interesting only superficially. Maria didn't have to struggle too much to gain the upper hand. Emilio's story is a classic revenge story. Only novelty is the transsexuality involved. Raffi is your classic firebrand. His love for Maria was predictable. They should have gone in the direction of part 1. That would have been bold. I feel as if the potential of the story has been wasted. A seductress in the hands of a cruel captor, a transsexual caught in a dangerous island, the boy who sold them both to slavery. This had potential. Yet we get the love triangle, the cuckold and the classic revenge story and the power struggle for the island. I guess it fell pray for its own genre rules. Still it's good for what it is. But it could have been much more.
The story is okay. There are some inconsistencies but overall it's entertaining. Part 1 was maybe to my liking. As gritty as can be. They subsequent parts do not compare. The character of Fernando is very lazy writing. All three lead character are interesting only superficially. Maria didn't have to struggle too much to gain the upper hand. Emilio's story is a classic revenge story. Only novelty is the transsexuality involved. Raffi is your classic firebrand. His love for Maria was predictable. They should have gone in the direction of part 1. That would have been bold. I feel as if the potential of the story has been wasted. A seductress in the hands of a cruel captor, a transsexual caught in a dangerous island, the boy who sold them both to slavery. This had potential. Yet we get the love triangle, the cuckold and the classic revenge story and the power struggle for the island. I guess it fell pray for its own genre rules. Still it's good for what it is. But it could have been much more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews