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The Abominable Charles Christopher #1
L'Abominable Charles Christopher T.01
Charles Christopher, un drôle de yéti, atterrit dans une mystérieuse forêt habitée par des animaux plutôt loquaces. À travers le quotidien de ses habitants, il tente de comprendre la raison de sa présence et de son étrange connexion avec la forêt.
120 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Karl Kerschl
249 books56 followersKarl Kerschl is a Canadian comic book artist, best known for his work for DC Comics. His recent projects include Adventures of Superman, Majestic, The Flash (All-Flash #1) and Teen Titans: Year One. He is also the author of the webcomic The Abominable Charles Christopher
Kerschl was born in Toronto and raised in Niagara Falls. He attended the Ontario College of Art for a year before deciding to practice on his own, discovering and improving his own storytelling and drawing styles in the process. Kerschl currently lives in Montreal "with two cats, both of whom are French-Canadian."
Kerschl was born in Toronto and raised in Niagara Falls. He attended the Ontario College of Art for a year before deciding to practice on his own, discovering and improving his own storytelling and drawing styles in the process. Kerschl currently lives in Montreal "with two cats, both of whom are French-Canadian."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 10, 2014
This is absolutely wonderful. I got it at a con early this year, read it in one sitting, then read it again and, and one more time. It's just a beautiful story, with beautiful characters, and manages to be sad, funny, and heartwarming without ever making you feel manipulated.
October 23, 2017
Charles Christopher es en apariencia un yeti medio atolondrado que vive en un bosque rodeado de animales parlanchines que tienen a su vez sus propios problemas. El protagonista se encuentra de pronto con una misión épica que lo llevará a conocer nuevos compañeros y tirarnos sonrisas y lágrimas en pocas viñetas.
Con un estilo de arte tierno pero descarnado Karl Kerschl hace emocionar con una sutileza al mejor estilo Miyazaki. Si les gustó Totoro y quieren más humor a lo Porco Rosso, deben leer este comic.
Recopilación del "primer capítulo" de un webcomic que sigue colgado y listo para leer. Si bien se supone que este libro tiene alrededor de 2 años de tiras juntas fui leyendo de la página por lo que desconozco dónde es exactamente el corte. Se puede encontrar todavía en http://abominable.cc/ aunque con pocas actualizaciones nuevas.
Con un estilo de arte tierno pero descarnado Karl Kerschl hace emocionar con una sutileza al mejor estilo Miyazaki. Si les gustó Totoro y quieren más humor a lo Porco Rosso, deben leer este comic.
Recopilación del "primer capítulo" de un webcomic que sigue colgado y listo para leer. Si bien se supone que este libro tiene alrededor de 2 años de tiras juntas fui leyendo de la página por lo que desconozco dónde es exactamente el corte. Se puede encontrar todavía en http://abominable.cc/ aunque con pocas actualizaciones nuevas.
December 15, 2021
Well, this book was an unexpected surprise for sure.
The story is slowly revealing, and most characters are either intriguing, relatable or plainly loveable.
The art of the characters and scenery is gorgeous in all its details.
Now I'll just have to read the following volumes to know more of this quest of Charles.
The story is slowly revealing, and most characters are either intriguing, relatable or plainly loveable.
The art of the characters and scenery is gorgeous in all its details.
Now I'll just have to read the following volumes to know more of this quest of Charles.
November 29, 2012
This collection contains the first "chapter" of the webcomic "The Abominable Charles Christopher." It's two years worth of the weekly strip.
Note: I am reviewing the comics that comprise this book. I read them in their original webcomic form, not as printed.
The Abominable Charles Christopher is an unusual strip, and takes a while to really get going. Anthropomorphic animals and the titular Charles share "screen time" in several tangentially related gradually unfolding plotlines of drastically varying tone and substance.
This made it a very uneven read for me. I really loved the more serious main plotlines and characters (Charles, Vivol and Moon Bear, Luga, Gilgamesh) and both the humor and drama that arose from them. But the pacing drove me a little nuts. I didn't like the secondary humor strips (drunk bad husband bird, Cedar Forest Players, the shrink, etc) nearly as much as the above stuff so lost some interest whenever it switched over.
Which was quite often. As a very detailed, rich webcomic the author clearly puts a lot of effort and care into the strip. It's understandable that after say, a month of working on heavy themes that he would want to lighten things up a bit. But it's a weekly strip, which that means every time the plot got serious it went no more than three-four pages before interjected humor and sidetracking. Again, perfectly understandable from a production point of view, but purely from a reader's perspective I found it very jarring.
There is a ton of promise shown in this first book (which continues to build in later strips), just be prepared for a bit of an up and down ride.
The art is fantastic. Great style and masterful use of the black and white medium. Again, I feel it really shines in the more serious and dramatic strips.
Overall while The Abominable Charles Christopher is a mixed bag for me, the good is so great I still heartily recommend it and will definitely keep reading myself.
Note: I am reviewing the comics that comprise this book. I read them in their original webcomic form, not as printed.
The Abominable Charles Christopher is an unusual strip, and takes a while to really get going. Anthropomorphic animals and the titular Charles share "screen time" in several tangentially related gradually unfolding plotlines of drastically varying tone and substance.
This made it a very uneven read for me. I really loved the more serious main plotlines and characters (Charles, Vivol and Moon Bear, Luga, Gilgamesh) and both the humor and drama that arose from them. But the pacing drove me a little nuts. I didn't like the secondary humor strips (drunk bad husband bird, Cedar Forest Players, the shrink, etc) nearly as much as the above stuff so lost some interest whenever it switched over.
Which was quite often. As a very detailed, rich webcomic the author clearly puts a lot of effort and care into the strip. It's understandable that after say, a month of working on heavy themes that he would want to lighten things up a bit. But it's a weekly strip, which that means every time the plot got serious it went no more than three-four pages before interjected humor and sidetracking. Again, perfectly understandable from a production point of view, but purely from a reader's perspective I found it very jarring.
There is a ton of promise shown in this first book (which continues to build in later strips), just be prepared for a bit of an up and down ride.
The art is fantastic. Great style and masterful use of the black and white medium. Again, I feel it really shines in the more serious and dramatic strips.
Overall while The Abominable Charles Christopher is a mixed bag for me, the good is so great I still heartily recommend it and will definitely keep reading myself.
October 12, 2012
This is just utterly gorgeous, and I follow Charles's adventures with bated breath every week. Can't wait for the second book.
May 22, 2016
One of the best comics I've ever read.
April 29, 2019
The main story arc, following a dim-witted yeti creature who gets pulled into plots beyond his ken by mysterious forest powers, is interrupted by too many isolated strips about bit-characters (Drunk Bad Husband Bird, Therapist Beetle, Animal Acting Troupe, etc.) whose own little story-arcs' ties to the main story (if any) are not clear by the end of this volume or even the next. The odd strip of those was kind of amusing, but their frequent interruptions of the more serious main arc broke the mood. There was another seemingly important story arc about the bear whose tragic past slowly gets revealed, and might touch on the yeti's story, but again, two volumes in it's not clear yet whether those two stories are really going to collide. Another thing: it didn't make sense for these great and powerful beings to base their entire world-changing plot on a mission handed to a creature so dim-witted that I couldn't tell if he even remembered he was supposed to do something--either way, there was a lot of aimless wandering/blundering around before stumbling seemingly by chance in the general direction the powers wanted him to go. If you can manipulate chance and actions to your desires, why bother manifesting and giving orders at all, especially to someone too dim to carry them out?
Though I am curious about where this might go, I am not motivated enough to seek out further volumes.
Though I am curious about where this might go, I am not motivated enough to seek out further volumes.
October 21, 2021
Gros coup de cœur pour cette BD qui mêle humour et poésie. L'histoire se partage entre des tranches de vies d'animaux reproduisant les codes humains et une histoire plus lourde de sens avec un bébé yéti attachant. Les deux livres se valent très bien et mon seul regret est qu'il n'y en ait pas un troisième.
January 5, 2021
C'est quand même très particulier. Il y a de beaux passages, mais dans sa globalité je ne suis pas si convaincu que ça. Intéressant graphiquement, dans l'univers, poétique etc .. mais du mal à m'accrocher .. .
October 13, 2021
This is a gorgeous, fascinating book. The artwork is phenomenal, and the style is just right to handle the balance of serious fantasy story and goofy woodland comic strips.
May 14, 2023
Excellent story. Excellent artwork.
June 11, 2016
I read this webcomic several years ago. I started on it when it was still fairly new, and kept up with it for a few months. It seemed to be a deeper version of Bone, but for whatever reason, I didn't stick with it. It wasn't until a few weeks ago, when I saw that the author was selling the books at a great deal, that I decided to look into it again. Based on the blurbs by well-known authors (Neil Gaiman!), I decided to give it a shot. I'm glad I did.
Like Bone, Charles Christopher is a heavy story with humorous overtones. Kerschl writes both with a deft eye and a keen ear, and he captures his characters well. Charles is a gentle giant, strong though he sometimes cowers, with courage and empathy to spare. The rest of the cast are the animals in the forest where Charles lives, all of whom can talk and communicate with each other, and with Charles. Kerschl writes those characters as well as he does Charles, such that when the story takes on its heaviness, the reader will feel it as well as his characters do.
The story itself is about the world of humans invading the world of animals, and the conflict that arises from the two worlds clashing. There is a spiritual theme to the story, as well, as Charles meets with a lion who represents the spirits of the animals. Charles, being an abominable (I'm guessing he's intended to be a Yeti, though it's never directly stated in the story) is a breed of both worlds, and serves as a potential intermediary in the conflict. This is how Charles gets involved with the conflict, and with the first two books, it's only barely begun.
Given that this is a collection of a webcomic, the structure of the books is a little odd. Kerschl will intersperse a humorous few strips amid the heavier storyline, making it a little difficult to grab on to the main plot of his story. I got used to it, and I assume other readers will, too, and it's a good thing, since the main story behind Charles Christopher is a heavy one. It begins with tragedy, continues into further tragedy, and then concludes (such as it does at the end of book two, with a lot more story to go) with even more tragedy.
Graphic storytelling should be a balance between the art and the story, and Kerschl excels at both. The story has been in development for a long time (the webcomic began nine years ago, and hasn't developed much further than what's in the two books), and it's clear that Kerschl has much more to tell. The story moves slowly, which might be frustrating for some readers, but for fans of Bone looking for something a little more geared for adults, The Abominable Charles Christopher is a good place to start. Like I mentioned above, the books are on sale right now!
Like Bone, Charles Christopher is a heavy story with humorous overtones. Kerschl writes both with a deft eye and a keen ear, and he captures his characters well. Charles is a gentle giant, strong though he sometimes cowers, with courage and empathy to spare. The rest of the cast are the animals in the forest where Charles lives, all of whom can talk and communicate with each other, and with Charles. Kerschl writes those characters as well as he does Charles, such that when the story takes on its heaviness, the reader will feel it as well as his characters do.
The story itself is about the world of humans invading the world of animals, and the conflict that arises from the two worlds clashing. There is a spiritual theme to the story, as well, as Charles meets with a lion who represents the spirits of the animals. Charles, being an abominable (I'm guessing he's intended to be a Yeti, though it's never directly stated in the story) is a breed of both worlds, and serves as a potential intermediary in the conflict. This is how Charles gets involved with the conflict, and with the first two books, it's only barely begun.
Given that this is a collection of a webcomic, the structure of the books is a little odd. Kerschl will intersperse a humorous few strips amid the heavier storyline, making it a little difficult to grab on to the main plot of his story. I got used to it, and I assume other readers will, too, and it's a good thing, since the main story behind Charles Christopher is a heavy one. It begins with tragedy, continues into further tragedy, and then concludes (such as it does at the end of book two, with a lot more story to go) with even more tragedy.
Graphic storytelling should be a balance between the art and the story, and Kerschl excels at both. The story has been in development for a long time (the webcomic began nine years ago, and hasn't developed much further than what's in the two books), and it's clear that Kerschl has much more to tell. The story moves slowly, which might be frustrating for some readers, but for fans of Bone looking for something a little more geared for adults, The Abominable Charles Christopher is a good place to start. Like I mentioned above, the books are on sale right now!
January 19, 2011
I have not read this de-luxe, hardcover, collected edition. I've only heard about Charles Christopher this morning. Before the day is over, I have read 3 years worth of strips, each and every one of them, that Kerschl (and a number of special guest artists) made. You can check them too at http://abominable.cc -- it's on the house.
Read from the very beginning. The story was beautiful and could be very touching sometimes, the toned drawings are just fantastic--can't get enough of it, and it was as funny as it was melancholic.
The main story is this: Charles Christopher, a sasquatch who so far hasn't said a single word, must protect the Cedar Forest from King Gilgamesh. Kerschl uploaded a new strip every week and it's never monotonous. It's non-linear and Kerschl doesn't just stick to the main story. There are tons of characters and from week to week, it always varied. One week Kerschl would draw the main story. Then the next week you'll read about the birds family. Then the next week you'll read about the main story again.
Then next week you read about this cockroach shrink--every beast in Cedar goes to see him, apparently. Then the next week you might read about Sissy the skunk who always advertised her eatery. Or these 2 wise-guy raccoons who did nothing but lounge and idle about. Or the heartbreaking story of Vivol who used to be a circus bear, told in flashbacks. Or the cats who always perched outside King Gilgamesh's windowsill.
Then we're back with the main story.
My only complaint about The Abominable Charles Christopher? There isn't enough of it. I'm already at phase 5, acceptance.
My name is Rauf and I'm a C.C. addict.
Read from the very beginning. The story was beautiful and could be very touching sometimes, the toned drawings are just fantastic--can't get enough of it, and it was as funny as it was melancholic.
The main story is this: Charles Christopher, a sasquatch who so far hasn't said a single word, must protect the Cedar Forest from King Gilgamesh. Kerschl uploaded a new strip every week and it's never monotonous. It's non-linear and Kerschl doesn't just stick to the main story. There are tons of characters and from week to week, it always varied. One week Kerschl would draw the main story. Then the next week you'll read about the birds family. Then the next week you'll read about the main story again.
Then next week you read about this cockroach shrink--every beast in Cedar goes to see him, apparently. Then the next week you might read about Sissy the skunk who always advertised her eatery. Or these 2 wise-guy raccoons who did nothing but lounge and idle about. Or the heartbreaking story of Vivol who used to be a circus bear, told in flashbacks. Or the cats who always perched outside King Gilgamesh's windowsill.
Then we're back with the main story.
My only complaint about The Abominable Charles Christopher? There isn't enough of it. I'm already at phase 5, acceptance.
My name is Rauf and I'm a C.C. addict.
July 2, 2012
If you like comics and haven't read this yet? Read it.
The Abominable Charles Christopher began life as a web comic. If you can't get the book, go read it online. But read it. The art is beautiful, the story simplistic and the main character apparently mute, but the story it tells is powerfully moving and funny by turns, with quirky, engaging animal characters that give this book the feel of a cross between Bone and We3 (both of which I also recommend highly).
This is a very quick read, but you can spend a lot of time looking at the art, especially some of the two-page spreads. And you may need a little time to get something out of your eye at a couple points. Just saying.
I don't want to say anything about the plot, because in part discovering it is part of the fun and in part... well, it doesn't really matter. The journey is indeed the important thing here. And I suspect if you're a fan of comics, you'll find something to enjoy about this and you'll be disappointed when you reach the end - until you realize there's a bunch more online :)
The Abominable Charles Christopher began life as a web comic. If you can't get the book, go read it online. But read it. The art is beautiful, the story simplistic and the main character apparently mute, but the story it tells is powerfully moving and funny by turns, with quirky, engaging animal characters that give this book the feel of a cross between Bone and We3 (both of which I also recommend highly).
This is a very quick read, but you can spend a lot of time looking at the art, especially some of the two-page spreads. And you may need a little time to get something out of your eye at a couple points. Just saying.
I don't want to say anything about the plot, because in part discovering it is part of the fun and in part... well, it doesn't really matter. The journey is indeed the important thing here. And I suspect if you're a fan of comics, you'll find something to enjoy about this and you'll be disappointed when you reach the end - until you realize there's a bunch more online :)
August 27, 2015
If nothing else, read this for the art. It's marvelous.
As the author explains in the Introduction, "...the Abominable Charles Christopher has become something altogether different; something truly strange. Not strictly a 'story' nor simply a series of standalone jokes, it blends both formats into a hybrid beast - a balancing act of slapstick humour, pathos and myth".
The stories range all over, from a therapist seeing clients, to a restaurateur's shameless advertising, to a an alcoholic father. Some are ongoing, some are just one-strip grace notes or straight up gags. All done with forest animals and absolutely gorgeous art. And then there's childlike Charles Christopher making friends and angering bees and getting swept into what looks like an epic quest. All these disparate elements are rolled together and it works.
The webcomic is ongoing (though currently on haitus), and you can read it here.
As the author explains in the Introduction, "...the Abominable Charles Christopher has become something altogether different; something truly strange. Not strictly a 'story' nor simply a series of standalone jokes, it blends both formats into a hybrid beast - a balancing act of slapstick humour, pathos and myth".
The stories range all over, from a therapist seeing clients, to a restaurateur's shameless advertising, to a an alcoholic father. Some are ongoing, some are just one-strip grace notes or straight up gags. All done with forest animals and absolutely gorgeous art. And then there's childlike Charles Christopher making friends and angering bees and getting swept into what looks like an epic quest. All these disparate elements are rolled together and it works.
The webcomic is ongoing (though currently on haitus), and you can read it here.
December 16, 2010
The Abominable Charles Christopher is the worthy predecessor to Smith's graphic novel, Bone. It has a similar vibe, with adorable talking animals and good humor wrapped around an epic fantasy story that is unfolding at a slow and easy pace.
Unlike Bone, ACC is a print version of a web comic with a really pretty book, though pricey, well worth it in order to support an independent creator. The web comic medium means that each page feels like a complete moment but these moments add up and the pacing is right on.
That said, I want more and I want it now. If I had any gripes, it would be that the first graphic novel felt a little light for the money and the antagonist's presence is felt, though it doesn't yet have any kind of a face or a real presence just yet, other than some off-screen humans.
If there is a hole in your graphic novel reading that is curiously shaped like a stupid, stupid rat creature, The Abominable Charles Christopher is the way to start filling it.
Unlike Bone, ACC is a print version of a web comic with a really pretty book, though pricey, well worth it in order to support an independent creator. The web comic medium means that each page feels like a complete moment but these moments add up and the pacing is right on.
That said, I want more and I want it now. If I had any gripes, it would be that the first graphic novel felt a little light for the money and the antagonist's presence is felt, though it doesn't yet have any kind of a face or a real presence just yet, other than some off-screen humans.
If there is a hole in your graphic novel reading that is curiously shaped like a stupid, stupid rat creature, The Abominable Charles Christopher is the way to start filling it.
April 28, 2013
This is an original, endearing and beautifully drawn graphic novel. It started as one of the top webcomics and quickly bagged its creator an Eisner award for best digital comic.
The story is about a child-like sasquatch called Charles Christopher and his journey through a forest that is faced with destruction. His trip sees him make both plenty of friend and enemies of the animals within the forest, and through this Charles manages to grow up a bit and learn something about himself.
The themes don't run too adult but they are deep. Once you've read this graphic novel you'll want to run outside, grab the first animal you see and give it a great big hug. I don't recommend you do this though.
The story is about a child-like sasquatch called Charles Christopher and his journey through a forest that is faced with destruction. His trip sees him make both plenty of friend and enemies of the animals within the forest, and through this Charles manages to grow up a bit and learn something about himself.
The themes don't run too adult but they are deep. Once you've read this graphic novel you'll want to run outside, grab the first animal you see and give it a great big hug. I don't recommend you do this though.
November 12, 2014
This is a wonderful book, and has made its way onto my favourite's list.
Kerschl is such an amazing writer. Every word is so carefully thought out, and he never overwrites and info-dumps like some web comics do. With just a few words, he made me laugh madly, and then bawl my eyes out over a broken heart on the next page. And sometimes he doesn't even use words. Sometimes he conveys such a strong message just by a few panels of art alone.
This book is amazing. It really is. It hurt so wonderfully.
You can read his series for free online, but I'd recommend going the extra step and supporting him by buying the book. I promise you won't regret it.
Kerschl is such an amazing writer. Every word is so carefully thought out, and he never overwrites and info-dumps like some web comics do. With just a few words, he made me laugh madly, and then bawl my eyes out over a broken heart on the next page. And sometimes he doesn't even use words. Sometimes he conveys such a strong message just by a few panels of art alone.
This book is amazing. It really is. It hurt so wonderfully.
You can read his series for free online, but I'd recommend going the extra step and supporting him by buying the book. I promise you won't regret it.
January 1, 2012
The first story arc of a continuing weekly web comic about a not very bright Yeti type creature, the forest wildlife and some woodland god like spirits. An all ages comedy/fantasy tale with gorgeous artwork, strong black inkwork with subtle grey washes. A joy that I reckon all of you would enjoy.
All if it is up to read free online although reading it in book form makes it feel more betterer ;)
Also, I got a great signed edition with an illustration by Karl -
All if it is up to read free online although reading it in book form makes it feel more betterer ;)
Also, I got a great signed edition with an illustration by Karl -
June 13, 2012
I picked this up on the recommendation of my friend Mark, whose taste I always trust, as he works in media and has a good sense of what is making waves but not necessarily on the mainstream radar. Charles Christopher is a great example of this. The art is incredible, the strips are emotionally impacting, and it is a great light read. I was so excited to discover, having purchased the paperback at TCAF, that it is a webcomic being released online, which means I don't have to wait to see where the story is going next!
February 19, 2015
My brother picked this out for me as a Christmas gift, so I sat down to read it with no preconceived notions - I'd never even heard of the comic previously. It's splendidly reviewed, and my impression was very favourable as well. The story is interesting and mysterious, with interludes of poignant humor, and the artwork is simply breathtaking. I got the first and second books (and read them both in a matter of days), but I suppose I will have to go look up the rest of the story on the web now!
January 5, 2016
First graphic novel of the year and it was amazing!!!!
The art its fantastic and it transports you into the forest, I specially love the the tones and the sense of movement. It is also very witty and funny. Even though this was first published as a webcomic I found that it did had continuity and the story flowed very well showing the life in the forest. If you love animals, comedy and beautiful art, you will love this and you will fly through it just like I did.
The art its fantastic and it transports you into the forest, I specially love the the tones and the sense of movement. It is also very witty and funny. Even though this was first published as a webcomic I found that it did had continuity and the story flowed very well showing the life in the forest. If you love animals, comedy and beautiful art, you will love this and you will fly through it just like I did.
June 30, 2010
In my opinion, "The Abominable Charles Christopher" is one of the best running webcomics, and one of the most gorgeous. This is a very nice printing that does the art justice. And, I find that since this is weekly webcomic with a small fraction of the episodes actually advancing the plot, it is much easier to absorb in book form. Highly recommended!
November 25, 2014
I love it. I love owning it. I love taking it out of my bookshelf and opening it anywhere and being amazed. I love that the story does not end and maybe never will and that I don't understand obscure references to mythologies that may exist only in Kerschl's mind. I am reminded a bit of Zelazny's "To Die in Italbar" but this is more enjoyable. I only wish that I had a hard cover edition.
February 12, 2020
I love Charles Christopher, and I love all of his friends, and I had to start over and read all the way through again after the name reveal at the end because yeah.... I didn't pick up on that on my own.
Edit: almost a decade later and yes, Charles Christopher is still The Best and I love him so much.
Edit: almost a decade later and yes, Charles Christopher is still The Best and I love him so much.
April 9, 2022
I'd already read this online, but it was well worth a re-read (and the price of buying it). The art is amazing, the strips range from laugh-out funny to heartbreaking, and the storyline is captivating.
April 20, 2012
Beautiful, emotional, simple, exquisitely drawn - easily one of the best webcomic-to-book transitions of all time. The story is beautiful and powerful, and has a sense of humor that is unique but universal.
December 23, 2016
I love this comic, the art is gorgeous and expansive, but understated. It's a slow story, but it's a weekly webcomic, I really enjoy the interactions between the creatures, and how there are reflections that are useful for examining life.
March 30, 2012
Gorgeous, fun, and like any good indie comic, a little forlorn. I can't recommend it enough.
June 8, 2013
I can't wait to follow up with Charles Christopher! And the rabbits! And the birds! And the fox (sniff). Really great work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews