Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules

Delilah Dirk #3

by Tony Cliff

Having survived a close shave in England, where she was falsely accused of spying for the French, Delilah has set out with her companion Selim for more agreeable adventures in central Asia. But when she stumbles on an artifact that may be a clue about the location of the legendary third pillar of Hercules, Delilah and Selim are drawn back to Europe on an Indiana-Jones-style archeological caper that pits her against a ruthless enemy . . . and forces her to team up with the most unlikely partner of all time: her sworn enemy, Jason Merrick, the man who framed her for espionage!

From vast forgotten underground cities to an elaborate and shocking double-cross, Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules brings all the drama and excitement that fans of the series crave.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction

249 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2018

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Delilah Dirk series is always guaranteed to provide some swashbuckling, Indiana Jones type adventure with a delightfully tough female protagonist. While I did enjoy this, it's not quite as good as previous Delilah Dirk outings. Some of the humor is missing, replaced by the oily journalist, Laurens Van Hasselman. The book really bogs in the middle, even to Delilah and Selim as they are ready to skip town as well. Thankfully, Cliff picks it up for a rip roaring finale. Now the question is, will things still be the same now that she's famous?

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the third volume of the series, Delilah Dirk is in Turkey clashing with a rather underhanded Turkish prince when she runs into journalist Laurens Van Hasselman. Van Hasselman offers Delilah and her companion Selim some information that leads them on a chase to find the Third Pillar of Hercules, a fabled city lost under the waves much like Atlantis. The chase for the Pillar brings Delilah, Selim and the Dutchman up against some old characters from Delilah's past, not least of which is her old nemesis Jason Merrick. If they want to get to the fabled pillar first, they'll have to make sure they keep at least a few steps ahead of the greedy Turkish prince and the vengeful Merrick.

The previous stories with Delilah Dirk have led to an expecation of adventure, fast-paced action and, of course, the eponymous and entirely unapologetic Delilah Dirk. This one is no exception. The fact that Delilah, Selim and the Dutchman have to race others to get to the clues to the pillar's location means that the story has a bit of a break-neck pace. Not to mention some rather unsavory characters. As with previous stories, much of the action borders on Indiana Jones level seriousness (which is to say not at all) and Delilah continues to be a character that at times I adore and at others want to strangle. While it's not necessarily my favorite series, Delilah Dirk continues to be a fun, adventurous romp that I'm sure I'll be continuing with for as long as Cliff writes them.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice addition to the series. I don't think Pillars of Hercules was quite as action packed as the previous volumes, but it is still quite good. Something that we haven't seen before is someone playing on Delilah's ego. That part of the story worked because of the character that was doing it and the fact that it hasn't been shown before. Sure, there have been characters that take notice of her abilities, but no one praises her and tries to manipulate her the way that is done here.

The art is just as good as the previous books. The new characters and locales add some nice variety as well. The parts of the story that are filled with action are done well to denote what is happening. The story grew a little stagnant around the middle. I think Cliff turns that around rather well and ends it on a high note. I love reading about these characters and want to see more of Delilah Dirk's world and adventures. This story expanded on what we had before and left me wanting more.

[Diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two volumes of this series more than this one. The previous volumes offered a lot of interaction between the two main characters, and it was this character driven banter that really appealed to me in this series. In this volume, there is a bit too much exposition for my taste. However, there is a narrative reason given at the end of the story that justifies it, but it still makes it less entertaining that the previous volumes. In the end, though, I still gave this book a pretty good rating. The reason for that is that I still love the main characters and I love the art in this series. For fans of comic art, there is a section on how the author makes the comic, which is interesting to read.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two books, but this adventure was a dull Indiana Jones homage with too many tombs, villains, and big nonsensical set pieces. At one point there is a literal and pointless doubling back on the route of the narrative all for a joke that just doesn't pay off. And Dirk now has an ongoing nemesis, apparently, who sucks the fun out of the story every time he is on the page.

Old man rant: Uncle Scrooge could have done it in a tenth of the pages and come out of it with a life lesson, a souvenir and a tidy profit.

Disappointing.

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little slow in parts, but in return we get some great character development. I'm a little peeved that Mr. M___ seems to have become the British Ninja, but otherwise, great.

Delilah and Selim cross paths with a mild-mannered Dutchman who is more than he seems , and follow clues through Africa, the Middle East, and Europe to a fabulous archeological find. Delilah has rage issues, and Selim's learning is a significant asset. The year is finally revealed (1812), Delilah gets some good press, and we are given ties to modern action heroine of the Delilah Dirk cut.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Delilah Dirk series. I have been thoroughly enjoying this series and this book was another great one.

This time Delilah and Selim end up on a series of adventures seeking out legendary third Pillar of Hercules. Some of Delilah’s past acquaintances come back to haunt her and much mayhem ensues.

I again enjoyed the fast pace to this graphic novel and all of the adventure. I love Delilah Dirk’s plucky carefree attitude about everything, nothing really bothers her all that much.

This graphic novel series continues to be well illustrated with bright, amazing color.

Overall another great installment in this graphic novel series. I have been enjoying this action-pack, adventure-filled graphic novel series a ton!

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Delilah Dirk and I LOVE Tony Cliff's artwork! None of that has changed. Some of his seascapes/landscapes are so gorgeous I want to frame them and hang them on my wall.

This is a bit longer than the previous books, but I never felt that it dragged, it was just a more involved adventure that I got to enjoy over several nights' reading.

I was confused by what was happening in some of the smaller frames, I don't know if the art was less clear than it used to be or if my old eyes are just having a harder time seeing tiny things (probably a bit of both!) - and sometimes I had difficult reading the teeny tiny print - more than once, I wished this has been published in a larger format.

It did bother me a bit that the "bad guys" in Turkey were totally bad, and it was okay to kill them without a thought (I think she killed some of them?), but the "bad guys" who were European (both "the Dutchman" (Van Hasselman) and Merrick) deserved mercy.

[Emma Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 out of 5 stars) This was my absolute favorite out of all three volumes! Delilah and Selim discover a lost city, things get a little dicey, but of course they are able to save the day. I almost read this book in one sitting - it was so hard to put down!

[Lover of books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read!! So glad with the conclusion!!!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly surprised that Delilah Dirk would fall for a journalist’s florid praise, but this was still an entertaining volume. The ending seemed a bit rushed but the artwork and coloring was as gorgeous as usual. Not enough tea, though!

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these books. A rakish, unapologetic, impetuous, talented woman goes on adventures drawn amazingly.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all the Delilah Dirk graphic novels! Delilah is contrary and tough and always jumping into adventure. Her sidekick Selim is always by her side, a little more cautious, but loyal to the last.

The two intrepid friends come across the path of a Dutchman who has a clue to the lost ruins known as the Third Pillar of Hercules, and the trio set off looking for treasure. But the Dutchman has his own agenda, and Delilah and Selim must learn who they can truly trust.

An old enemy shows his face at the worst possible moment, putting everything in jeopardy, and the friends must fight and claw their way through to emerge triumphant in the lost cities and tombs of the ancient past.

I enjoyed the non-stop action, the mysteries of ancient civilizations, and the camaraderie between Delilah and Selim. Wonderful graphic novel, with beautiful artwork and strong colors!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules was a solid conclusion to a series I've really enjoyed. Delilah and Selim's adventures were even crazier than I would've expected and it was neat to see so much more of the world this time around. As always, the illustrations were gorgeous. I would've liked a little more fun banter between Delilah and Selim, as that was one of my favorite parts of the first book that haven't really popped up since, but overall this was a fun, entertaining read.

[Rebeccah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sadly didn't have the magic of the first volume. I didn't find the story as compelling, Selim seemed to have barely any role to play other than narrator, and frankly Delilah should have realized that certain people were not acting with honourable intentions WAY sooner than she did.

[Eli Seibert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, swashbuckling, Indiana Jones meets Laura Croft meets National Treasure type of adventure.
I know there are a lot of happy coincidences (finding all parts of a special key thing- as well as a lost city- fairly easily), but those things never bother me too much. Enticing tales are woven from improbable happenstance.
Personally, I eat these kinds of stories up.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not think that the Delilah Dirk series could get better, but I was proven wrong. The drawings in this installment are better than they have ever been, and every page just made me want to read more. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves an adventure story.

[Diego · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Delilah Dirk series is in a league of its own. It is hands down my favorite graphic novel series (and I've read hundreds), and I get so excited when I hear a new one is out. I am extremely happy to share that this third installment will not disappoint!

On reading this novel, I could not put it down. I NEEDED to know what happened next, and it felt like I was watching an Indiana Jones-like movie as I was reading. The pacing was on point! Tony Cliff is a master on setting the scene, building tension, and drawing you into his world. I found myself holding my breath many times throughout the book, and that itself is a testament to Tony Cliff's amazing storytelling.

One of the things that set Delilah Dirk apart from other graphic novels, aside from the magnificent writing, the consistently gorgeous art, or how such a small book can hold such a detailed and amazing story, is how the author keeps experimenting with the page layout in every spread. I absolutely LOVE it. In one panel you see multiple Delilah Dirk's climbing down a stairwell, tricking you into seeing her climbing down in sequence, slowing you down, and not wasting any space. In another, you see a long desert with a trail of speech bubbles followed by a small panel of the Dutchman talking to himself, and you as the reader know that the Dutchman has been muttering to himself for an extremely long time. You were there, your eyes followed him as he was doing it. When Tony Cliff wants you to feel in awe of a moment, he makes it a beautifully detailed spread. But makes sure not to waste any space elsewhere. His versatility helps his pacing and explains how he's able to cram such a detailed story in such a small novel and explains why I end up reading it like a well-designed movie.

Also, this book offers, unlike the others, a short how-to on how he wrote this book, and it clearly shows how much thought and process goes into creating a book like this, and it made me love it all the more!

This book is thrilling, adventurous, at points funny, and overall amazing! I cannot recommend this book enough, get it!

[Chi · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Received and read in one day. I really can't resist graphic novels: I've always got to finish reading them in one day.)

Another sensational Delilah Dirk (and Selim! One cannot forget about Selim!) adventure! This time, it's about the mysterious Pillars of Hercules. We follow Delilah and Selim as they criss-cross Europe from a treasure trove to a necropolis and then to their final destination. There's some double crosses, an unexpected appearance (or two) of Merrick, the villain in Delilah Dirk and the King's Shilling, and through it all, the dependable working relationship between Delilah and Selim. They may have their (frequent!) disagreements, but through it all, they also know that they've got each other's backs, and that made the book (as was the case for all the other books in the series thus far) an awesome read.

[Kam Yung Soh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The next adventure of Delilah Dirk and Selim, this one has the pair struggling to disable the defences of a port town, under the control of a cruel person, to allow a ship to enter during a storm. Job done, they encounter a Dutch journalist who sets them off on a quest for hidden treasure. Joining them on the quest, they discover artefacts that appear to point to the location of a mysterious city known as the Third Pillar of Hercules.

On their journey, they would encounter an old enemy. But their greatest danger may well be with them, for the journalist accompanying them is not above embellishing the story of their adventures, as well as having a hidden agenda for finding the fabled city that is only revealed at the end.

This book is not quite as exciting as the second one, for the stakes involved are not quite as personal to Delilah Dirk (compared to the second book). However, the excitement does get turned up at the end when hidden agendas are finally revealed and old enemies meet again, perhaps to come to a kind of stalemate.

After the earth shaking events in this book, who knows what will happen next to Delilah Dirk and Selim as they settle back, drink some tea, and wait for their next adventure.

[Arden Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment of the Delilah Dirk series of graphic novels, an Indiana Jones-style story featuring the titular Delilah Dirk, an impulsive and reckless adventuress, and her longsuffering companion/sidekick/chronicler of events, Selim. In this case, it's centred around a long-lost ancient city that they first have to find (spoiler: they do) and then escape.

As always, Tony Cliff's art is absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful drawings, super expressive faces, and stunning colours. Apparently Cliff is still intimidated by colours, or he was at the time of making this book, according to the end notes? It doesn't show at ALL. I envy his palettes. A beautiful, fun, funny, fast-paced book I recommend to anyone who likes a good action/adventure comic, and to anyone who appreciates really good-looking sequential art!

[Diana Ault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic adventure with Delilah Dirk. I seriously love this series. The artwork is wonderful (both lines and coloring) and there are so many great subtle things like the looks Delilah and Selim give one another. A major point that I love in this series is that Delilah isn’t perfect. She’s brave and confident and majorly skilled but she’s also reckless and impatient and occasionally slips up. But she rolls with it. Also, the fact that Delilah is Never written or drawn in a sexual way. She is not sexualized. And her relationship with Selim is so enjoyable. :) They’re so comfortable with each other.
As a side note: If you or someone else is looking for an ace or aro-friendly series this is a great fit.

Also, I love that Delilah has sun-sneezes. I do too!

[Nate]

That’s more like it. After an underwhelming second volume, Tony Cliff ramps up the excitement for a rip-roaring, Indiana Jones-style adventure. Delilah and Selim traverse the Mediterranean in search of a mythic city with the help of a sly journalist. On their tail is Delilah’s nemesis, Jason Merrick. This was just a super fun read. Engaging story, great dialogue, awesome action. Cliff doesn’t shy away from the Indiana Jones homages in this one. There’s the plot, of course, which is straight out of Temple of Doom and Last Crusade. Then he adds a scene with snakes, and even panels with maps depicting our heroes’ route along dotted lines. There’s an archaeological dig, too.

This is a great series. I hope Cliff has more Delilah stories to tell.

[Teàrlach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely!! So lovely, and so good, and so beautiful! I am especially enamored with how Delilah is not a perfect protagonist - she is beautiful and clever and agile and all that, but she's also petty and spiteful and vengeful. It's realistic, and it's enjoyable to watch her be adventurous but also struggle with making the right choices and take the higher ground sometimes. Selim is also perfect the way he is, and I also love him. He sometimes might come across as...not necessarily cowardly, but maybe more hesitant about getting into trouble, but he and Delilah balance each other out perfectly.

I will definitely be reading more of this series.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
I loved the idea if an underground city. This one was more like Indiana Jones and National Treasure and less ambiguous with its adventure like the previous volumes. It took me more time to get into it, which was frustrating because I do this weird thing where I narrate the character's dialogue out loud. (It's for my own entertainment.) Once again the art was superb and the action well-drawn out. These comics would appeal to all ages and that is something special.

[Brooke Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Rockstar Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I am about to introduce you to Delilah Dirk, a historical Lara Croft, with her trusty tea-master companion, Mr. Selim. This comic series is a fun adventure for all ages, but don't be too harsh on the liberties taken with history.

It's published by First Second, which has also published Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang, The Prince & The Dressmaker, Hale's Real Friends and many more!


IMHO: Delilah Dirk Series
Trigger warning for #3 The Pillars of Hercules for domestic violence. There's innuendo for torture interrogation in #1, but it's not even close to happening. There's no rape or sexual assault!!! There is some rediculous sexism, but it doesn't detract from the enjoyment.

I LOVE Delilah Dirk! This is a great comic series. Each has a different sort of adventure and adversaries. Mr. Selim grows into his role in #1, they struggle to equalize in #2, and in #3 Selim rubs off on Delilah.

I read them all back to back twice. Still wound up chuckling on the second pass through. Also found more details to enjoy.

Funny. My favorites are "Hi Mr. Selim!" and "I'm escaping" scenes.
Gorgeous. I'm particularly fond of the night skies in #1, but there's also amazing sea and action scenes.
Great banter & dialogue
Technical layout as better detailed in this review
Love Delilah's mom and uncle
Love Selim's
Perfect maps for those of us geographically challenged.

While there are some scenes that would work wonderfully in movie romance, there's nothing romantic on the page. They remind me of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz,in The Mummy but gender flipped while they stay friends and traveling. I LOVE that movie and that couple so much.

The only thing that kinda worries me is the time gaps between each installment. We can't have a very long series if it's all 2 years apart! That's just NOT okay with me. MORE DELILAH DIRK.

Speaking of which, there's this lovely little joke where Delilah is A CAT in Delilah Dirk and the Easy Mark and a short #1.5, Delilah Dirk and the Seeds of Good Fortune .

ALL 5 Star Winners!

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This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A thrilling and thoroughly fun quest with Delilah and Selim. Stunning visual artwork and genuine dialogue (with wit and heart throughout) make this a book to be enjoyed over and over again. I cannot wait to see where their adventures take them next!

[Becky Loader · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Delilah and Selim have the chance to look for an ancient, hidden city, how can they resist? They can't! Taking on a new side-kick, the dynamic duo runs afoul of an old enemy who is really a piece of pond skime. Great action and grspgics.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my least favorite in the trilogy because I found the newspaper man ( I can't even remember his name) so aggravating. Though some of the spreads when they are in the main location of the novel were so beautiful I started crying. After now finishing multiple series I have learned that often series don't have a big explosive endings and this further proved that. These three comics are much more episodical in nature. This was really phenomenal overall!

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was interesting and action orientated, I found a side of Delilah I didn't love which I never noticed before. And one facet of her personality that had she not been so vain glorious would have allowed her to trust her instincts.