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Пираты летучего голландца
Пираты-призраки "Летающего Голландца" устали от многолетних скитаний и грезят о вечном покое. От безысходности неприкаянные мертвецы нападают на другие судна, не оставляя в живых ни души. Но однажды они подбирают в море младенца, чудом выжившего после кораблекрушения... Какая участь ждёт малыша на корабле мёртвых пиратов? Как изменится их жизнь с появлением нежданного гостя? Прочтите ответ в этой потрясающе красивой комикс-адаптации рассказа Пьера Марк-Орлана, выполненной кистью гения французского комикса, автора великолепной "Священной болезни", Давида Б.
46 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
David B.
135 books203 followersPierre-François Beauchard, who uses the pen name David B., was one of the initiators of the French alternative editorial house L'Association, and is now well-known among the French comics audience. After his Applied Arts studies, David B. had his first publications in magazines such as Chic, Circus, Okapi and A Suivre. Among his early creations are 'Le Timbre Maudit', a story published in Okapi, and 'the mini-series 'Zèbre' in Chic. As a scenarist, he cooperated with Olivier Legan on 'Pas de Samba pour Capitaine Tonnerre', an album published by Glénat in 1985.
After he co-founded L'Association in 1990, he began using the pseudonym David B. and specialized in short black-and-white stories, detailing nightmarish dreams, collected in the album 'Le Cheval Blême' in 1992. As powerful as his dream imagery is in itself, it is amplified by his masterful use of black and white drawings. In the Association's magazine Lapin, he published series like 'Le Prophète Voilé', 'Le Jardin Armé' and 'Le Voyage de l'Est'. From 1996, Beauchard has concentrated on the autobiographical series 'L'Ascension du Haut-Mal', which earned him the highest praise from comics critics.
In addition to his work for L'Association, David B. cooperated with the publishing house Cornélius, where he published the quarterly comic book Le Nain Jaune from 1993 to 1994, as well as 'Les Quatre Savants' from 1996 to 1998. He was also present in the reviews Fusée and Le Cheval sans Tête (with 'Les Incidents de la Nuit'). Also present at Dargaud, he made 'Le Tengû Carré', an allegory of Japanese legends, and the scenarios of 'La Révolte d'Hop Frog' and 'Les Ogres', which were illustrated by Christophe Blain. For the publisher's collection Poisson Pilote, he made 'Urani - la Ville des Mauvais Rêves' (script by Joann Sfar) and 'Les Chercheurs de Trésor'.
After May 2000 David B's work would reach a wider public when his artwork was featured in the collection Aire Libre by the popular publisher Dupuis. After 'Le Capitaine Écarlate' (with artwork by Emmanuel Guibert) in 2000, David wrote and drew the album 'La Lecture des Ruines' in 2001. David B has also been active as an illustrator for Le Seuil, Automne 67, Albin Michel and Coconino Press.
After he co-founded L'Association in 1990, he began using the pseudonym David B. and specialized in short black-and-white stories, detailing nightmarish dreams, collected in the album 'Le Cheval Blême' in 1992. As powerful as his dream imagery is in itself, it is amplified by his masterful use of black and white drawings. In the Association's magazine Lapin, he published series like 'Le Prophète Voilé', 'Le Jardin Armé' and 'Le Voyage de l'Est'. From 1996, Beauchard has concentrated on the autobiographical series 'L'Ascension du Haut-Mal', which earned him the highest praise from comics critics.
In addition to his work for L'Association, David B. cooperated with the publishing house Cornélius, where he published the quarterly comic book Le Nain Jaune from 1993 to 1994, as well as 'Les Quatre Savants' from 1996 to 1998. He was also present in the reviews Fusée and Le Cheval sans Tête (with 'Les Incidents de la Nuit'). Also present at Dargaud, he made 'Le Tengû Carré', an allegory of Japanese legends, and the scenarios of 'La Révolte d'Hop Frog' and 'Les Ogres', which were illustrated by Christophe Blain. For the publisher's collection Poisson Pilote, he made 'Urani - la Ville des Mauvais Rêves' (script by Joann Sfar) and 'Les Chercheurs de Trésor'.
After May 2000 David B's work would reach a wider public when his artwork was featured in the collection Aire Libre by the popular publisher Dupuis. After 'Le Capitaine Écarlate' (with artwork by Emmanuel Guibert) in 2000, David wrote and drew the album 'La Lecture des Ruines' in 2001. David B has also been active as an illustrator for Le Seuil, Automne 67, Albin Michel and Coconino Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 4, 2020
who knew i liked david b??
every day a lesson learned.
i bought this because i thought it was, along with Toys in the Basement, part of this frenchie bande dessinée revivalist thingie that fantagraphics was doing, but it's not, really. neither of them are.they are french, but they are contemporary. i was fooled! the story is older, adapted by david b from a story by pierre mac orlan, but the artwork is all shiny 2010 material.
and here i was thinking my people were so ahead of the curve...
but both books are great - i liked this one slightly more, i think. and the story bleeds frenchiness like heated brie.
a ship full of skellington pirates seek permanent death -oblivion -while spouting lines like "god exists. who could deny it, seeing as how we've been damned for all eternity?"
yet every time they think they have finally met their end, somehow they escape.
there is truly no rest for the wicked. they plunder boats and murder the passengers, but it gives them no peace, and they throw their ill-gotten loot into the sea in recognition of the empty triumph.
alas...
but when they find a baby, stranded in the remains of their last-attacked ship... they begin to make plans...
it's good. it is very good.
and very french.
by which i mean absurd and fatalistic.
enjoy!
come to my blog!
every day a lesson learned.
i bought this because i thought it was, along with Toys in the Basement, part of this frenchie bande dessinée revivalist thingie that fantagraphics was doing, but it's not, really. neither of them are.they are french, but they are contemporary. i was fooled! the story is older, adapted by david b from a story by pierre mac orlan, but the artwork is all shiny 2010 material.
and here i was thinking my people were so ahead of the curve...
but both books are great - i liked this one slightly more, i think. and the story bleeds frenchiness like heated brie.
a ship full of skellington pirates seek permanent death -oblivion -while spouting lines like "god exists. who could deny it, seeing as how we've been damned for all eternity?"
yet every time they think they have finally met their end, somehow they escape.
there is truly no rest for the wicked. they plunder boats and murder the passengers, but it gives them no peace, and they throw their ill-gotten loot into the sea in recognition of the empty triumph.
alas...
but when they find a baby, stranded in the remains of their last-attacked ship... they begin to make plans...
it's good. it is very good.
and very french.
by which i mean absurd and fatalistic.
enjoy!
come to my blog!
October 28, 2024
The cursed crew of The Flying Dutchman take on a new crew member - a baby boy! Will he be the a curse or their means to salvation? Excellent GN that is original and full of deep questions - a very pleasant surprise that a friend suggested that I read - will look for more books by David B!
March 27, 2018
A comics adaptation of the novel of the same name by Pierre Mac Orlan. The story focuses on the escapades of the undead crew of the Flying Dutchman, cursed to roam the seven seas forever. They just want eternal rest, so they slaughter and pillage the world in their bitterness. Then one day a baby boy arrives, which creates problems? opportunities? for them. Will he be their salvation?
David B is still best known for his memoir of his family with a focus on his brother, Epileptic, but he also has drawn some crazy adventure tales, and this is one of them.
David B is still best known for his memoir of his family with a focus on his brother, Epileptic, but he also has drawn some crazy adventure tales, and this is one of them.
March 1, 2016
Would you let them raise a baby?
Me neither. This is not going to end well. (I waver on this one. Art? Not my fave. But that ending? Man. Bleak. I love bleak. And I love the damned pirates grappling with the obvious existence of God and His very harsh mercy.) Another one for the 'looks like it is for kids but it is so very not' pile.
Me neither. This is not going to end well. (I waver on this one. Art? Not my fave. But that ending? Man. Bleak. I love bleak. And I love the damned pirates grappling with the obvious existence of God and His very harsh mercy.) Another one for the 'looks like it is for kids but it is so very not' pile.
April 19, 2012
I really liked the art.
The writing was rough and choppy,
like the seven seas,
arrrhhh.
The writing was rough and choppy,
like the seven seas,
arrrhhh.
October 31, 2024
Pretty short and leaves me wanting way more, but this is an excellent short tale with brilliant artwork by David B.
It reminds me a little too much of the cursed pirates of the Black Pearl but I suppose that is a common pirate theme.
It reminds me a little too much of the cursed pirates of the Black Pearl but I suppose that is a common pirate theme.
July 17, 2017
For whatever reason, none of the other reviews mention that this short bande dessinée is funny as hell... Or maybe they don’t because it’s obvious, in which case, joke’s on me. Hmmm. Well, anyway, let me do the honours: I laughed through all the bleakness and morbidity in this comic, because David B. gets the tone just right.
Based on a novel by Pierre Mac Orlan, it follows the undead crew of the Flying Dutchman: a pirate ship damned to wander the wide seas forever. Maddened by God’s refusal to grant them eternal rest, they paint the waters red, murdering all in their path. Then one day, they find themselves parents to a “pink, plump and healthy” infant boy... Will he be their redemption?
The narration is disjointed, but the pirate-speak dialogue is excellent. The art is frequently stunning: rich and whimsical, with its own comedic moments. But admittedly, while the story is fun, it tides over development to give us a rather thin and formulaic plot... The book closes with an editor’s note by the late Kim Thompson, responsible for introducing those of us who’ve forgotten our high school French to many amazing artists.
Based on a novel by Pierre Mac Orlan, it follows the undead crew of the Flying Dutchman: a pirate ship damned to wander the wide seas forever. Maddened by God’s refusal to grant them eternal rest, they paint the waters red, murdering all in their path. Then one day, they find themselves parents to a “pink, plump and healthy” infant boy... Will he be their redemption?
The narration is disjointed, but the pirate-speak dialogue is excellent. The art is frequently stunning: rich and whimsical, with its own comedic moments. But admittedly, while the story is fun, it tides over development to give us a rather thin and formulaic plot... The book closes with an editor’s note by the late Kim Thompson, responsible for introducing those of us who’ve forgotten our high school French to many amazing artists.
November 15, 2010
My interest in this graphic 'novel' is the author Pierre Mac Orlan. A hero to Guy Debord, Mac Orlan was the Bohemian's Bohemian. Although a major writer in France, there is very little English translations of his works that are out there in the world.
I don't know the origins of "The Littlest Pirate King" except I have to presume that the narrative was written sometime in the early or mid-20th Century, and recently turned into a graphic novel by David B., who I know nothing about. But beyond that this is a wonderful little story about dead pirates who are somewhere between being a ghost and nowhere. All they do is float on their death ship from sea to sea. They can't even get enjoyment of killing another boat load of people, I due that they're dead - and therefore that's it. All they have is their memories.
But alas, they find a living and healthy baby from a shipwreck and therefore they become sort of parents to this child. A splendid book and hopefully an introduction to the mysterious (at least to me) Pierre Mac Orlan.
I don't know the origins of "The Littlest Pirate King" except I have to presume that the narrative was written sometime in the early or mid-20th Century, and recently turned into a graphic novel by David B., who I know nothing about. But beyond that this is a wonderful little story about dead pirates who are somewhere between being a ghost and nowhere. All they do is float on their death ship from sea to sea. They can't even get enjoyment of killing another boat load of people, I due that they're dead - and therefore that's it. All they have is their memories.
But alas, they find a living and healthy baby from a shipwreck and therefore they become sort of parents to this child. A splendid book and hopefully an introduction to the mysterious (at least to me) Pierre Mac Orlan.
April 20, 2011
Nothing better than a gang of dead pirates chanting "Milk, Milk, Milk"
November 24, 2010
Don't let your children read this unless you like to make your children weep. My own manly tear ducts were sorely tempted but ultimately, they couldn't bear the thought of ruining any of David B.'s incroyable art.
In an afterword, by Kim Thompson (editrice/traductrice), it is said that more of these bandes dessinees will be brought forth by Fantagraphics in the near future. I say "Kudos!" and "It's about damn time!" I eagerly await their publication.
Now, when will they, or some other savvy North American publisher, get around to putting out the amazing work of Nicolas De Crecy(Leon the Junky, The Heavenly Blimp)?
In an afterword, by Kim Thompson (editrice/traductrice), it is said that more of these bandes dessinees will be brought forth by Fantagraphics in the near future. I say "Kudos!" and "It's about damn time!" I eagerly await their publication.
Now, when will they, or some other savvy North American publisher, get around to putting out the amazing work of Nicolas De Crecy(Leon the Junky, The Heavenly Blimp)?
April 7, 2020
David B. is quickly ascending my list after a short story
and this philosophical and wonderfully illustrated read which held my undivided all the way through.
and this philosophical and wonderfully illustrated read which held my undivided all the way through.
January 9, 2021
Con un estilo más próximo a Sfar que al suyo propio David B. nos cuenta una historia sui generis de la tripulación del Holandés errante criando a un niño vivo.
July 20, 2013
Blast me timbers, but I did love this book! The illustrations are just as weird and magical and beautiful as anything I have seen in comic book illustration, and the story is sweet, dark, soulful and real. It is a book for wise children and weary adults. It is a leaping off point from the mundane into a nearworld where a tiny boy yearns to be "able to clickety-clack the bones in my hands."
The pirate skeleton crew of the Flying Dutchman kidnap a living baby boy to ease the boredom of their cursed limbo, with the intention of having the boy join their undead crew when he is a little older. To their own amazement, the Captain and crew come to find that they love and treasure the living boy as he is, and want him to continue living his life in full. The boy, who has grown up amongst this bony crew(who love and adore him), only knows the life of an undead pirate. As one panel reads: "Life appeared to him(the boy)as a distant calamity. The boy says, with hope and pride:"One day I shall be dead like you..."
This tale can be a bit grim, and parents should take measure before reading to very young children, but I do think that most kids would get the ultimate gist and sweetness of the story. The illustrations themselves are wonderful to look at, and even a pre-reader can spend time with the book, following the jolly skeleton pirates and exploring their rich, fishy-filled netherworld.
The story does end a bit abruptly, and I do not know if there is another chapter to the tale, but even with the short ending it is a beauty of a book. We loved it.
The pirate skeleton crew of the Flying Dutchman kidnap a living baby boy to ease the boredom of their cursed limbo, with the intention of having the boy join their undead crew when he is a little older. To their own amazement, the Captain and crew come to find that they love and treasure the living boy as he is, and want him to continue living his life in full. The boy, who has grown up amongst this bony crew(who love and adore him), only knows the life of an undead pirate. As one panel reads: "Life appeared to him(the boy)as a distant calamity. The boy says, with hope and pride:"One day I shall be dead like you..."
This tale can be a bit grim, and parents should take measure before reading to very young children, but I do think that most kids would get the ultimate gist and sweetness of the story. The illustrations themselves are wonderful to look at, and even a pre-reader can spend time with the book, following the jolly skeleton pirates and exploring their rich, fishy-filled netherworld.
The story does end a bit abruptly, and I do not know if there is another chapter to the tale, but even with the short ending it is a beauty of a book. We loved it.
June 27, 2014
I really love the art of David B. and I am very happy that at least some of his comics are being published in English these days. This is not one of his major works, but as with everything that David B. touches, it's really, really beautiful.
The comic is based on an old story by David B:'s countryman Pierre Mac Orlan and follows a crew of living dead pirates who takes in a baby boy and rears him as their own. Rather macabre, with a bitter sweet ending. The set-up is great and it of course fits David B.'s art to draw undead pirate skeletons au masse. The story seems far too short, though, and I feel that it could have easily filled a much longer volume.
They both tap into the same well of traditions and myths, but I find it almost impossible to read this story without thinking of the franchise of films called Pirates of the Caribbean. This is a much more sombre, by comparison literate story, but I find my mind wandering several times to scenes in those films. Thinking in those lines highlights not only the differences between comics and films, but also between the American and the French cultures in general. A possible academic study if I ever saw one.
Although it might seem like it, this is not really a children's comic. View it as a visual poem and you will most probably go right when approaching this little gem.
The comic is based on an old story by David B:'s countryman Pierre Mac Orlan and follows a crew of living dead pirates who takes in a baby boy and rears him as their own. Rather macabre, with a bitter sweet ending. The set-up is great and it of course fits David B.'s art to draw undead pirate skeletons au masse. The story seems far too short, though, and I feel that it could have easily filled a much longer volume.
They both tap into the same well of traditions and myths, but I find it almost impossible to read this story without thinking of the franchise of films called Pirates of the Caribbean. This is a much more sombre, by comparison literate story, but I find my mind wandering several times to scenes in those films. Thinking in those lines highlights not only the differences between comics and films, but also between the American and the French cultures in general. A possible academic study if I ever saw one.
Although it might seem like it, this is not really a children's comic. View it as a visual poem and you will most probably go right when approaching this little gem.
August 18, 2014
This is a slightly (ok, quite disturbingly) creepy graphic novel of a ship of dead skeletal pirates who plunder and wreak havoc on passing ships. One day, after the usual devastation, they find themselves in charge of an orphaned baby boy. They agree to rear him until his First Communion and then slay him to have a dead little cabin boy, but soon they find themselves taking care of him, playing with him, and after a crisis of conscience, deciding to return the boy to the land of the living. But the boy only knows death and dead pirates and does not want to part with the only family he knows. This story is not for the faint of heart or for young children.
May 30, 2011
I read this while I waited for Christian today at (LCS) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Dead pirates doomed to sail the seas for eternity are constantly trying to come up with ways to end their sentence and actually die. Nothing brings them joy and all their attempts fail. Then suddenly an infant child finds himself on their ship and they must decide his fate. I loved the art and story, equally creepy and funny and sweet. Ah, French comics...Someday I will own this.
May 6, 2012
I was greatly disappointed by this book. David B. was the reason I got back in to graphic novels and comics. I love the premise of this book and the art is simply whimsical and fun. The book lays down the groundwork for a great story arc and then it simply ends. There is no real form of resolution and the reader is left wanting more and asking why they embarked on this journey in the first place.
September 10, 2014
The art is so gorgeous that I wanted to grab it off the page and examine it from all sides but the story fizzled to a full stop long before it ought to have done. I'll blame that on the source material by Pierre Mac Orlan and assume that what worked as a story is only half done when depicted graphically. It's a splendid book nonetheless.
October 16, 2011
What a bizarre children's book. Pirates question God's wrath, their damnation, they stab cruise ship passengers, and talk about murdering a baby. The artwork is amazing and the story is definitely one to ponder. Be warned that it has some heavy subject matter, but it's also pretty brilliant.
May 12, 2011
a neat story with a surprise ending. wonder if there's a part 2 somewhere? nothing on the book indicates a series, though
August 13, 2023
A charming, quaint little comic about an undead crew of pirates who seek their eternal rest after being forced to roam the seas endlessly. During one raid, they end up leaving one baby as a survivor and decide to raise the child in the hopes of sacrificing him when he is older. But the crew begin grow attached to the child, and though they are differentiated by their living status, they all begin to understand what it really means to be alive. If the comic was a bit longer I think there could be more to explore regarding this, but it mostly plays out like a more sophisticated version of a children's book. A quick and easy read, with some gorgeous artwork by David B. His artwork always looks great in the heavily contrasted blacks he uses in books like Epileptic, but the soothing, muted colors used here are very nice as well.
October 26, 2017
A very barebones (har har, bones, get it) story of a dead pirate crew taking a human baby under their wing, raising him and then feeling conflicted on whether to set him free or kill him so he could join them in death forever and be their king. Sure, it's easy enough to read, but it tears off right when things start to get marginally interesting and the only thing that made this book engaging is the art, which is highly stylized and definitely won't be to everybody's liking, but suits the ridiculous tone of the story just right.
December 25, 2022
Le positive de cette BD et le style artistique surtout le travail sur les couleurs. Le visuel me donne envie d'explorer d'autres livres de cette auteur. Malheureusement l'histoire elle-même donne l'impression d'être un début d'histoire au lieu d'une histoire complète. Je ne sais pas si c'est l'œuvre originale qui est comme ça, ou si c'est la transition vers le format BD qui lui a fait perdre son punch. J'aime l'idée de base de l'histoire, mais je trouve que la BD nous a laissés un peu déçus, comme si on voulait plus.
October 26, 2023
Una breve adaptación de una historia de piratas fantasma condenados a vagar por toda la eternidad en el Holandés Errante.
Un bebé rosita que se encuentran en sus pillajes y un desenlace que no deja indiferente.
Que me ha encantado, vaya.
Un bebé rosita que se encuentran en sus pillajes y un desenlace que no deja indiferente.
Que me ha encantado, vaya.
March 4, 2019
Слишком много вопросов, слишком мало ответов. Сама идея пришлась мне по вкусу, однако открытый конец раздражает
May 15, 2019
I think this is my first David B in color. It's very odd and kind of sweet and kind of distressing. Gorgeous art with a strange sense of humor.
November 13, 2019
Somewhat interesting from a design viewpoint. But it's a Nothing Story that arrives at Nowhere.
December 23, 2019
Lovely graphic novel. I really enjoyed the illustration style, and the humor. The story line seemed not fully developed and the ending leaves something to be desired. But lovely book over all.
February 23, 2022
What a cute story! A little boy is adopted by a ship of dead pirate and ends up making them feel more alive than ever before. I wish it was longer, but I guess it's more aimed at children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews