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Revelations
When the Cardinal next in line to succeed the ailing Pope turns up dead, Scotland Yard's finest detective, Charlie Northern, finds himself on a plane to Rome with little more than a full pack of cigarettes. With the help of a priest, a coroner and one beautiful lawyer, Northern must uncover the facts in a place legendary for keeping its secrets. There are forces at work in The Holy See that would see the truth remain hidden - forces ancient and dark, with a power not seen in this world for millennia, and an agenda that will leave Northern's world more shattered than he could have ever foreseen.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Paul Jenkins
1,258 books154 followersPaul Jenkins is a British comic book writer. He has had much success crossing over into the American comic book market. Primarily working for Marvel Comics, he has had a big part shaping the characters of the company over the past decade.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 27, 2019
I did not like the writing and I hated the drawings, so uncertain in that nowhere land between dramatic and cartoonish, and unfortunately more cartoonish than anything else - hence, big loss of pathos there, to start with.
One specific comment: I’m sure the artist loved the idea of giving the main character a pair of completely black eyeballs, but unfortunately, to me that was the worst decision of the entire book. What it does, it de-personalizes the character, it makes him look less human, and makes the whole thing even more juvenile than it already is.
The reason I didn’t like the writing is that it’s basically an unoriginal plot with structural problems. The only touch of originality are some jokes by the main character, but that’s not enough to make a good story. The ending is not only rushed and unsatisfactory, but it has also a certain pretension to detach itself from the superficiality of the rest of the work, when in reality it does not have any depth.
One specific comment: I’m sure the artist loved the idea of giving the main character a pair of completely black eyeballs, but unfortunately, to me that was the worst decision of the entire book. What it does, it de-personalizes the character, it makes him look less human, and makes the whole thing even more juvenile than it already is.
The reason I didn’t like the writing is that it’s basically an unoriginal plot with structural problems. The only touch of originality are some jokes by the main character, but that’s not enough to make a good story. The ending is not only rushed and unsatisfactory, but it has also a certain pretension to detach itself from the superficiality of the rest of the work, when in reality it does not have any depth.
February 13, 2021
4.5/5
Awesome.
Detective Charlie Northern, a soon-to-be-ex-smoker for thirty years, comes to the Vatican to investigate the death of the cardinal. Things go off the rail quickly.
Revelations plays with conspiracy-theories and pokes fun at the presentation of The Vatican (expensive vacation spot riddled with corruption) and cynical detectives shielding themselves with witticism.
It's also a story about what happens when a man gets given the very thing he thinks he wanted.
The art is spectacular. The writing is awesome. I loved it.
Highly recommended mini-series (six volumes, 112 pages).
Awesome.
Detective Charlie Northern, a soon-to-be-ex-smoker for thirty years, comes to the Vatican to investigate the death of the cardinal. Things go off the rail quickly.
Revelations plays with conspiracy-theories and pokes fun at the presentation of The Vatican (expensive vacation spot riddled with corruption) and cynical detectives shielding themselves with witticism.
It's also a story about what happens when a man gets given the very thing he thinks he wanted.
The art is spectacular. The writing is awesome. I loved it.
Highly recommended mini-series (six volumes, 112 pages).
January 4, 2011
In three sentences: Fairly interesting meandering plot to keep you guessing, though it could definitely go further given the potential of the premise. Art style was too cluttered for me - got lost among the speech bubbles and busy backgrounds several times. Actual 'revelation' not detailed enough to satisfy readers who like closure, though may provide fodder for some post-reading speculation.
August 3, 2017
Paul Jenkins has crafted a decent Vatican conspiracy, which his protagonist, detective Charlie Northern tossed into during an investigation, but unfortunately Humberto Ramos' art just does not work for me. While I do not regret reading, I will not be hanging onto this volume.
March 7, 2018
(I'd actually rate this a 4.5, but hell, let's give it to them)
I've been on a graphic novel binge lately, when I stumbled across this.
I'm very happy I did.
I wouldn't think about it like a "comic book" (even though I really enjoyed the art). It reads more like a Dan Brown/Raymond Chandler novel. I could definitely see this becoming a movie. I would love to read the further adventures of this storyline.
I've been on a graphic novel binge lately, when I stumbled across this.
I'm very happy I did.
I wouldn't think about it like a "comic book" (even though I really enjoyed the art). It reads more like a Dan Brown/Raymond Chandler novel. I could definitely see this becoming a movie. I would love to read the further adventures of this storyline.
December 16, 2020
Jenkins and Ramos are a powerful creative duo. Here, we get a fantastic mystery that isn't what it seems. I really enjoyed the mystery even the payoff that I didn't see coming until very late. Ramos' art is always energetic but at times here it seemed rushed. The coloring was also very muted. The main character, Charlie Northern, deserves more. Overall, a very nice mystery and a compelling story.
October 20, 2022
The team of Jenkins and Ramos, previously teamed on some fine Spider-Man stories, knock this crime mystery/fantasy out, with some great stylish illustrative work from Ramos, together with the color artists. Great printing and reproduction, with a moderately successful story.
Read in comics issues/chapters/installments, thanks to my local comics shop.
Read in comics issues/chapters/installments, thanks to my local comics shop.
August 30, 2019
Não faz exactamente o meu estilo de história, ainda que o argumento tivesse alguma potencialidade. Os desenhos não são maus de todo, ainda que as personagens tenham traços um pouco infantilizados. O que estraga tudo é mesmo o final sobrenatural, completamente escusado, de tão clichê que é...j
January 22, 2017
Entertaining story. Love Humberto Ramos' art work. Very different style of colouring from his usual, but unmistakably Ramos.
January 30, 2018
Not the novel but comics 1-6
April 25, 2019
No es interesante. Un desperdicio de tiempo y dinero. Los colores eran bellos, eso sí.
June 18, 2022
Art: 5
Story: 2,5
Story: 2,5
July 8, 2022
Humberto Ramos - 0/5. Why those eyes?
Jenkins - for the first three issues - 2/5, then - 4.5/5
Jenkins - for the first three issues - 2/5, then - 4.5/5
September 28, 2024
Holy fuck!
August 16, 2014
“Revelations” is the type of Dan Brown-like material which, if not the readers, at least the publishers can’t seem to get enough of. Religion, conspiracies and snooping around some ancient artifacts: all the elements are here in this 2006 comic book.
Writer Paul Jenkins does his best to give a little spin on the worn-out concept by revolving most of its plot around a bloody murder of a cardinal, with the religious elements only standing at the sideline.
London detective Charlie Northern is brought in to conduct an independent investigation, making it momentarily seem this is a hard-boiled mystery, rather than a religious thriller.
But most of Jenkins’ plot meanders along a little too quietly to make much of an impression, and too much of the true climax of the plot – gets too little place to make as big an impression as it should. What Jenkins came up with in the end, packs a solid punch; but being presented the way it is here, with too much of the book guessing and hinting en not enough revealing, it comes across less spectacular than it could’ve.
Humberto Ramos’ artwork – well, you either love it or loathe it. His work is very expressive, but I’ve heard people complain about how his proportions are all off and things are just too exaggerated.
I, for one, love his art and the way it’s presented in this book. Done almost entirely with pencil-shading alone, his work looks softer and murkier than his usual inked stuff does. With this book, he managed to stick to his own distinctive style, while changing the way it’s presented so that it suits the grim storyline it illustrates.
So what “Revelations” lacks plotwise, is redeemed by Ramos’ work. That doesn’t mean this is a comic book one has to read, though. For that it is still too mediocre to make a great impression upon the reader.
Writer Paul Jenkins does his best to give a little spin on the worn-out concept by revolving most of its plot around a bloody murder of a cardinal, with the religious elements only standing at the sideline.
London detective Charlie Northern is brought in to conduct an independent investigation, making it momentarily seem this is a hard-boiled mystery, rather than a religious thriller.
But most of Jenkins’ plot meanders along a little too quietly to make much of an impression, and too much of the true climax of the plot – gets too little place to make as big an impression as it should. What Jenkins came up with in the end, packs a solid punch; but being presented the way it is here, with too much of the book guessing and hinting en not enough revealing, it comes across less spectacular than it could’ve.
Humberto Ramos’ artwork – well, you either love it or loathe it. His work is very expressive, but I’ve heard people complain about how his proportions are all off and things are just too exaggerated.
I, for one, love his art and the way it’s presented in this book. Done almost entirely with pencil-shading alone, his work looks softer and murkier than his usual inked stuff does. With this book, he managed to stick to his own distinctive style, while changing the way it’s presented so that it suits the grim storyline it illustrates.
So what “Revelations” lacks plotwise, is redeemed by Ramos’ work. That doesn’t mean this is a comic book one has to read, though. For that it is still too mediocre to make a great impression upon the reader.
April 13, 2016
I picked up this comic, because it looked different from all the others around it. I am glad I did, because it takes place in a setting I never would have imagined a comic would venture to--the Vatican. Detective Inspector Charlie Northern of London's Scotland Yard is a "prolapsed Catholic." I like to think of myself as a recovering Cathoholic myself. I can definitely identify with the darkness this character carries, and the natural suspicion he has for all the religious people he has encountered. He's kind of like a British Fox Mulder (a fan of conspiracy).
Power corrupts, and I think the Catholic Church is one of the greatest examples of that. Perhaps Christianity started somewhere where faith was chief in importance above all other things, but that has certainly changed over the millennia. If Charlie is able to find any evidence at all, he is going to have to dig for it.
I also very much enjoyed the artwork. Not as polished as some of the other art I have seen, but it fits the off-kilter feel this story has. Also, I feel there always has to be some tiny element of fantasy element in a story that involves religion or religious figures. The artwork does this nicely. I could almost hear the rain in the first few pages. Wonderful.
I'm kinda glad this is a detective story. I wanted to include a variety in my first forays into the world of comics. This appears to be a welcome new flower for my cap. I can't wait for the next issue.
Read more commentary and add your own here: http://www.rjspindle.com/content/reve...
Power corrupts, and I think the Catholic Church is one of the greatest examples of that. Perhaps Christianity started somewhere where faith was chief in importance above all other things, but that has certainly changed over the millennia. If Charlie is able to find any evidence at all, he is going to have to dig for it.
I also very much enjoyed the artwork. Not as polished as some of the other art I have seen, but it fits the off-kilter feel this story has. Also, I feel there always has to be some tiny element of fantasy element in a story that involves religion or religious figures. The artwork does this nicely. I could almost hear the rain in the first few pages. Wonderful.
I'm kinda glad this is a detective story. I wanted to include a variety in my first forays into the world of comics. This appears to be a welcome new flower for my cap. I can't wait for the next issue.
Read more commentary and add your own here: http://www.rjspindle.com/content/reve...
November 4, 2010
"Révélations" a vraiment été un gros coup de cœur! C'est l'histoire de Charlie, flic à Scotland Yard, qui reçoit la visite d'un de ces anciens amis, devenu cardinal, et qui lui demande de l'aide car un successeur au pape a peut-être été assassiné au Vatican.
Tout d'abord, gros coup de cœur pour les dessins. Ils sont originaux et très intenses, je n'avais jamais vu ce style de crayonné auparavant. Ensuite, l'histoire est rondement menée et l'humour du détective ainsi que son air totalement désabusé, "j'en ai rien à faire", me plaisent énormément. De plus, malgré cette pointe d'humour, on ressent tout le sérieux de l'enquête à travers les bâtons qu'on met dans les roues de l'inspecteur *c'est le Vatican quand même*.
Tout d'abord, gros coup de cœur pour les dessins. Ils sont originaux et très intenses, je n'avais jamais vu ce style de crayonné auparavant. Ensuite, l'histoire est rondement menée et l'humour du détective ainsi que son air totalement désabusé, "j'en ai rien à faire", me plaisent énormément. De plus, malgré cette pointe d'humour, on ressent tout le sérieux de l'enquête à travers les bâtons qu'on met dans les roues de l'inspecteur *c'est le Vatican quand même*.
October 27, 2014
Murder, mystery, and intrigue at the Vatican, as the front-runner to be the next Pope hurls himself from an upper story window to his death. A London detective who lost his faith years ago is brought in to investigate, but every layer that's peeled back reveals a deeper darkness within ...
The first three quarters of this book are an excellent thriller by Paul Jenkins, supported surprisingly well by Humberto Ramos' cartoonish illustration. It's only when we get to the "twist" ending that things ... well, the end is effective so far as it goes, but deeply unsatisfying at the same time.
Still worth a read, though. What's done here is done very, very well, if not ultimately in the direction I wanted things to go.
The first three quarters of this book are an excellent thriller by Paul Jenkins, supported surprisingly well by Humberto Ramos' cartoonish illustration. It's only when we get to the "twist" ending that things ... well, the end is effective so far as it goes, but deeply unsatisfying at the same time.
Still worth a read, though. What's done here is done very, very well, if not ultimately in the direction I wanted things to go.
February 12, 2009
Antes de mais deixem-me dizer que adorei o estilo deste livro, tanto a nível de desenho como de narração e escrita. Um trabalho excelente de ambos autores.
Como agnóstica que sou, simpatizei muito com o Charlie. Adorei o seu sarcasmo, a sua determinação e a sua forma de encarar a vida.
Adorei o livro, as cenas, a história, enfim ... tudo ... tudo menos o fim. Não me interpretem mal porque ´fim é satisfatório, só que eu estava à espera de um pouco mais. Falta uma ou várias sequelas!
Como agnóstica que sou, simpatizei muito com o Charlie. Adorei o seu sarcasmo, a sua determinação e a sua forma de encarar a vida.
Adorei o livro, as cenas, a história, enfim ... tudo ... tudo menos o fim. Não me interpretem mal porque ´fim é satisfatório, só que eu estava à espera de um pouco mais. Falta uma ou várias sequelas!
March 3, 2009
This was one of the books that Phil sent me in the big graphic novel pack. The story is really violent and bloody, all about murder and intrigue and conspiracies in the Roman Catholic Church. It was a suspenseful story and the art was intense, just really not my cup of tea.
August 27, 2013
I enjoyed the premise of this and it held my attention throughout the entire storyline, but it seemed to get lost in its own head. For every step forward in the overall story, it felt like there were two steps back and in the end, it left me feeling underwhelmed.
July 24, 2008
Stunnngly drawn, shame about the plot.
November 27, 2012
I was enjoying this, but then the conspiracies got out of control and things went downhill from there.
May 6, 2010
A mix of hard-boiled detective story crossed with intrigue of the Vatican.
August 8, 2011
a graphic novel with interesting graphic style which grows on you. Murder, Faith, faithless, conspiracy, a beautiful lady = a novel which i stopped turning only after the last page
August 15, 2014
Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?
March 14, 2015
The artwork is really good,so as the story. Liked it.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews