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Royal City #1-3
Royal City: The Complete Collection
In a return to the literary and thematic territory of LEMIRE's breakthrough graphic novel Essex County, ROYAL CITY follows Patrick Pike, a fading literary star who reluctantly returns to the once-thriving factory town where he grew up. Patrick is quickly drawn back into the dramas of his two adult siblings, his overbearing mother, and his browbeaten father, all of whom are still haunted by different versions of his youngest brother, Tommy, who drowned decades ago.
ROYAL CITY is a sprawling, ambitious graphic novel that charts the lives, loves, and losses of a troubled family and a vanishing town across three decades. This deluxe hardcover edition includes over twenty new story pages that expand on Lemire's original story and present his full vision for the series for the first time.
Collects ROYAL CITY #1-14 plus 20+ new story pages as well as behind the scenes material.
ROYAL CITY is a sprawling, ambitious graphic novel that charts the lives, loves, and losses of a troubled family and a vanishing town across three decades. This deluxe hardcover edition includes over twenty new story pages that expand on Lemire's original story and present his full vision for the series for the first time.
Collects ROYAL CITY #1-14 plus 20+ new story pages as well as behind the scenes material.
408 pages, Hardcover
Published September 22, 2020
7 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lemire
1,393 books3,871 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 10, 2023
Jeff Lemire - I really do like his stuff but it seems like every few weeks I'm reading yet another new volume of his work. Even right now there's like 6 (!) TPBs of his Black Hammer series I want to read.
I'm always a bit surprised when people say they don't like Lemire's artwork. I love it and I find his best work is the stuff he illustrates himself. I enjoyed Frogcatchers (2019) and I think Roughneck (2017) is among his finest work, a 5-star comic.
So I was pretty excited to check this out regardless of the vast deluge of Lemire's work (It's hard to get excited about a new book by a guy that has a new book out every week).
But this was a let down. A completely forgettable rehash of the ideas he explored better in Roughneck and Essex County. Nothing about this captivated me. It's still a good comic, well-drawn with some nice story beats but very forgettable.
I'm always a bit surprised when people say they don't like Lemire's artwork. I love it and I find his best work is the stuff he illustrates himself. I enjoyed Frogcatchers (2019) and I think Roughneck (2017) is among his finest work, a 5-star comic.
So I was pretty excited to check this out regardless of the vast deluge of Lemire's work (It's hard to get excited about a new book by a guy that has a new book out every week).
But this was a let down. A completely forgettable rehash of the ideas he explored better in Roughneck and Essex County. Nothing about this captivated me. It's still a good comic, well-drawn with some nice story beats but very forgettable.
January 19, 2021
Another incredibly powerful graphic novel by one the absolute best out there doing it. Royal City works for me on every level, and was just a stunning experience start to finish. I love the characters, I love the art, I love the writing. And it stirred a lot of emotion in me while I was reading it. Read Royal City!
January 22, 2021
I loved this series from beginning to end. Beautiful and emotional.. One of my favorites from Lemire.
March 30, 2024
4.5 stars
Me, right now, through tears: I just love Jeff Lemire.
This graphic novel is stunning. It's a family drama with some small fantasy/supernatural elements. It's a story about grief, and growing up, and growing apart, and it feels like a punch gut, but man, is it beautiful.
It's the story of the Pike family and how they all lost themselves at one particular moment, and how they refuse to let go of that part of their past.
And I just think that Lemire writes people in such a complicated way, with such a raw understanding of the sad parts of life. I also think, having read several of his titles, he excels in writing family relationships. Especially, siblings who have fallen out.
He also has a tendency on writing stories set in little towns. And he has such a grasp on making the setting of a story feel so real. Where the place the story unfolds in has a weight on the characters, where it shapes them for good and bad. And here Royal City feels like another character that haunts its inhabitants.
And this story, though personal and quiet, just works for me. It's heartbreaking, and yet it's stunning to read. I love Lemire's art style, he's got some pretty amazing illustrations. They way he presents some part of the story, some emotions, is so original. I especially love the artwork that accompanies Tommy's inner monologue.
The ending is hopeful. Sad, but hopeful. And it had me crying for a long time. I know we'll never see this family again, and yet I'm hoping they get better. I'm hoping they'll get to a place of healing. And when a story and its characters refuse to leave you, I think it's proof of how much it affected you. So yeah, I loved this and it's going to my favorites shelf.
Me, right now, through tears: I just love Jeff Lemire.
This graphic novel is stunning. It's a family drama with some small fantasy/supernatural elements. It's a story about grief, and growing up, and growing apart, and it feels like a punch gut, but man, is it beautiful.
It's the story of the Pike family and how they all lost themselves at one particular moment, and how they refuse to let go of that part of their past.
And I just think that Lemire writes people in such a complicated way, with such a raw understanding of the sad parts of life. I also think, having read several of his titles, he excels in writing family relationships. Especially, siblings who have fallen out.
He also has a tendency on writing stories set in little towns. And he has such a grasp on making the setting of a story feel so real. Where the place the story unfolds in has a weight on the characters, where it shapes them for good and bad. And here Royal City feels like another character that haunts its inhabitants.
And this story, though personal and quiet, just works for me. It's heartbreaking, and yet it's stunning to read. I love Lemire's art style, he's got some pretty amazing illustrations. They way he presents some part of the story, some emotions, is so original. I especially love the artwork that accompanies Tommy's inner monologue.
The ending is hopeful. Sad, but hopeful. And it had me crying for a long time. I know we'll never see this family again, and yet I'm hoping they get better. I'm hoping they'll get to a place of healing. And when a story and its characters refuse to leave you, I think it's proof of how much it affected you. So yeah, I loved this and it's going to my favorites shelf.
October 12, 2020
"But the best part of being lost is getting found."
Číst Jeffa Lemira je tak snadné. Vůbec nezáleží na tom, jestli to čtěte ve svém rodném jazyce nebo v angličtině. Vůbec nevadí, pokud si v angličtině nevěříte. Jeho angličtina je snadno čitelná a stejně v ní dokáže vyjádřit veškeré myšlenky a emoce. Jeho kresba je “jednoduchá” a přesto je v těch panelech naprosto všechno. Vy jenom svižně otáčíte stránky a naprosto lehce konzumujete jejich obsah. Jeho postavy jsou tak uvěřitelné, že se okamžitě dostanete do děje a necháte se jím unášet. Takhle Jeff Lemire dělá komiksy. A já mu to žeru i s navijákem.
Ale k příběhu. Někdo může tvrdit, že Jeff Lemire píše pořád o tom samém. Do určité míry bude mít pravdu. Píše neustále o vesměs nešťastných Kanaďanech. Ale ruku na srdce, skoro všichni jsou povětšinou nešťastní, takže vlastně píše o normálních průměrných lidech. V Royal City píše o rodině, která se sejde kvůli otcově mrtvici, po které leží v kómatu v nemocnici. To je taky docela běžný začátek, že? Jenomže způsob, jakým se Lemire rozhodl otevřít a rozjet příběh už v první kapitole… fíha… z toho až mrazí.
Royal City se odehrává v pouhých několika dnech, ale retrospektivně vypráví historii celé rodiny. Jeff Lemire se detailně věnuje každé z postav. Dává nám nahlédnou do jejich psychiky a porozumět jejich bolestem a pochybám. A také vytahuje na světlo všechny ty vzájemné větší či menší křivdy. Celé se to točí kolem staré rodinné tragédie a kolem duchů, které za sebou nechala. Rodinné drama jako vyšité. V televizi by mě to asi nebavilo. Tady to ale dělá zajímavým způsob, jakým Lemire příběh vypráví. Víte ale, co je na Jeffově vyprávění nejlepší? To jak umí zasáhnout čtenáře přímo do srdce. To jak mě dokáže emocionálně rozebrat. Pečlivě vystaví celý komplexní příběh, a potom stačí, aby některá postava řekla jedinou větu, a mě z očí vystříknou slzy. Takhle Jeff Lemire vypráví příběhy.
Ani zde se Jeff Lemire nevyhnul easter eggu. Lemire rád vkládá do svých komiksů postavy ze svých jiných autorských věcí. Tady to není žádné malé velikonoční vajíčko, ale pořádné pštrosí vejce. Jako Lemirova fanouška mě to potěšilo. Na závěr jsem chtěl srovnat Royal City s Essex County, s Roughneck a s Underwater Welderem. Ale víte co? Ty knihy jsou každá jiná. Kromě toho, že jsou všechny lehce depresivní a jsou o úplně obyčejných Kanaďanech, tak každá z nich nahlíží na život a mezilidské vztahy z jiné perspektivy. Poselství Royal City je asi takové, že nikdo nemusí být ztracen a sám navždy.
Číst Jeffa Lemira je tak snadné. Vůbec nezáleží na tom, jestli to čtěte ve svém rodném jazyce nebo v angličtině. Vůbec nevadí, pokud si v angličtině nevěříte. Jeho angličtina je snadno čitelná a stejně v ní dokáže vyjádřit veškeré myšlenky a emoce. Jeho kresba je “jednoduchá” a přesto je v těch panelech naprosto všechno. Vy jenom svižně otáčíte stránky a naprosto lehce konzumujete jejich obsah. Jeho postavy jsou tak uvěřitelné, že se okamžitě dostanete do děje a necháte se jím unášet. Takhle Jeff Lemire dělá komiksy. A já mu to žeru i s navijákem.
Ale k příběhu. Někdo může tvrdit, že Jeff Lemire píše pořád o tom samém. Do určité míry bude mít pravdu. Píše neustále o vesměs nešťastných Kanaďanech. Ale ruku na srdce, skoro všichni jsou povětšinou nešťastní, takže vlastně píše o normálních průměrných lidech. V Royal City píše o rodině, která se sejde kvůli otcově mrtvici, po které leží v kómatu v nemocnici. To je taky docela běžný začátek, že? Jenomže způsob, jakým se Lemire rozhodl otevřít a rozjet příběh už v první kapitole… fíha… z toho až mrazí.
Royal City se odehrává v pouhých několika dnech, ale retrospektivně vypráví historii celé rodiny. Jeff Lemire se detailně věnuje každé z postav. Dává nám nahlédnou do jejich psychiky a porozumět jejich bolestem a pochybám. A také vytahuje na světlo všechny ty vzájemné větší či menší křivdy. Celé se to točí kolem staré rodinné tragédie a kolem duchů, které za sebou nechala. Rodinné drama jako vyšité. V televizi by mě to asi nebavilo. Tady to ale dělá zajímavým způsob, jakým Lemire příběh vypráví. Víte ale, co je na Jeffově vyprávění nejlepší? To jak umí zasáhnout čtenáře přímo do srdce. To jak mě dokáže emocionálně rozebrat. Pečlivě vystaví celý komplexní příběh, a potom stačí, aby některá postava řekla jedinou větu, a mě z očí vystříknou slzy. Takhle Jeff Lemire vypráví příběhy.
Ani zde se Jeff Lemire nevyhnul easter eggu. Lemire rád vkládá do svých komiksů postavy ze svých jiných autorských věcí. Tady to není žádné malé velikonoční vajíčko, ale pořádné pštrosí vejce. Jako Lemirova fanouška mě to potěšilo. Na závěr jsem chtěl srovnat Royal City s Essex County, s Roughneck a s Underwater Welderem. Ale víte co? Ty knihy jsou každá jiná. Kromě toho, že jsou všechny lehce depresivní a jsou o úplně obyčejných Kanaďanech, tak každá z nich nahlíží na život a mezilidské vztahy z jiné perspektivy. Poselství Royal City je asi takové, že nikdo nemusí být ztracen a sám navždy.
December 17, 2020
This collection is pure gold. Great story, great artwork. Jeff at his best!
December 21, 2020
First off, Lemire is a writer who is getting a lot of attention. Not just with his "independent" comics but with his super-hero comics. I have been trying to read more of him, trying to find one of his works that hits with me. Black Hammer was close but in the end it felt like it over stayed its welcome. This series was recommended as "one of his best" so I thought I would give it a shot. I walk away respecting him as a writer...not caring for his art...and thinking "he's just not for me".
I see why a lot of people love his stories. He writes stories that feel so honest. He writes characters that feel so real. He always has a plot in mind, a point of view to express and his endings are well thought out. I know that feels basic but so many writers seems to have zero idea where they are going with their stories and when you get to the end they don't stick the landing because they don't have an honest ending in mind (they just happen).
Why isn't he for me? Well, I like a little humour in my writing. I like some hope in my writing. Maybe some adventure or excitement? Lemire's writing is VERY depressed. That is a constant theme in his writing. An overwhelming feeling of sadness and desperation and failure. He does it well. He has taken it and turned it into an art form. So people who like sad and pitiful characters will love his writing. I don't.
The basic story is about a family who lives in a small town - Royal City. The dad - has a stroke, the mother has an affair, the older brother is an addict, the second brother is a failed writer (and a fraud?) and is going through a bad marriage, the sister seems to have her act together but is going through a failed marriage, the third brother died young and haunts (well not in a bad way - more like an imaginary friend) all the members of the family - each with their own unique vision of him. So out of the three marriages - all of them are failing. Like I said - Lemire is not an optimist.
Now, as much as I am down on this, I want to say it is a well told story - although it is drawn out a little too long - and the ending and a twist near the end picked it up for me and the ending did offer a glimpse of hope and the family finally healing. But you have to go through 10 issues of depressing stuff before you got there. That's a lot. But yes, the ending was satisfying and elevated this up a star for my rating.
The art? Well it is easy to pick on Lemire because he isn't a polished artist. You can like his minimalist style. But I don't. And the last few issues were so rushed it looked even worse than usual.
Overall, If you like well told stories about real people and don't mind them all being really depressed - this is for you :).
I see why a lot of people love his stories. He writes stories that feel so honest. He writes characters that feel so real. He always has a plot in mind, a point of view to express and his endings are well thought out. I know that feels basic but so many writers seems to have zero idea where they are going with their stories and when you get to the end they don't stick the landing because they don't have an honest ending in mind (they just happen).
Why isn't he for me? Well, I like a little humour in my writing. I like some hope in my writing. Maybe some adventure or excitement? Lemire's writing is VERY depressed. That is a constant theme in his writing. An overwhelming feeling of sadness and desperation and failure. He does it well. He has taken it and turned it into an art form. So people who like sad and pitiful characters will love his writing. I don't.
The basic story is about a family who lives in a small town - Royal City. The dad - has a stroke, the mother has an affair, the older brother is an addict, the second brother is a failed writer (and a fraud?) and is going through a bad marriage, the sister seems to have her act together but is going through a failed marriage, the third brother died young and haunts (well not in a bad way - more like an imaginary friend) all the members of the family - each with their own unique vision of him. So out of the three marriages - all of them are failing. Like I said - Lemire is not an optimist.
Now, as much as I am down on this, I want to say it is a well told story - although it is drawn out a little too long - and the ending and a twist near the end picked it up for me and the ending did offer a glimpse of hope and the family finally healing. But you have to go through 10 issues of depressing stuff before you got there. That's a lot. But yes, the ending was satisfying and elevated this up a star for my rating.
The art? Well it is easy to pick on Lemire because he isn't a polished artist. You can like his minimalist style. But I don't. And the last few issues were so rushed it looked even worse than usual.
Overall, If you like well told stories about real people and don't mind them all being really depressed - this is for you :).
March 19, 2024
Jeff Lemire gerçekten ilginç bir yaratıcı. Bu çizgi romandan sonra zihnimdeki Lemire imajı değişti. Diz yapmış gri alt eşofman, eprimiş klorak lekeli tişörtle ışıkları kapayıp türk dizisi müptelası olan incel tiplerden biriymiş gibi geliyor.
Ama durun! Öyle hemen enseyi karartmak yok. 4 puan verdik, açıklayacağız.
Lemire’in bu kitabını türk dizi senaristleri ya da yapım firmaları keşfederse, başrolünde Mehmet Günsür ve Özcan Deniz’in oynadığı 178 bölümlük bir Ay yapım dizisi olarak izleyebiliriz. O derece bize uygun bir dram.
Hikayemiz bir yazarın “vay ben üretemiyorum, karımla aram bok gibi. Üstüne de babam kalp krizi geçirdi,” hezeyanıyla başlıyor. Baba toprağına dönen bunalımlı yazar karakterimiz, sevmediği geçmişiyle yüzleşiyor. Elbette tüm aile benzer bir trajediye sahip. Her birinin yanında bir sarı oğlan çocuğu var, ama farklı yaşlarda ve karakterlerde. Tam diyoruz ki Jeff Lemire yine bilim kurgu sevdasına düştü. Apır sapır bir şey çıkacak o sarı oğlanlar. Ama yok! Lemire bu sefer dramdan ilerliyor. Meğerse ailenin küçük oğlu zamanın zemherinde bir kaza eseri ölmüş ve tüm aile bu travmayı atlatamayıp bu sarı oğlanı yani Tommy’i kendi zihinlerinde, kendi paşa gönüllerine göre yaşatıp, yanlarında gezdiriyormuş.
Anne onu efendi bir rahip olarak hayal ediyor, evin ortanca ve it uğursuz oğlu kendi gibi bir uğursuz olarak. Ablası onu miniğim diye seviyor ve 5 yaşındaki haliyle gezdiriyor yanında. Bu dram ekseninde hikaye 12 fasikül ilerliyor ve bi noktada reklam girecek, bölüm bitecek de ana haber bülteninin gece yarısı tekrarı başlayacak diye bekliyoruz. Tam anlamıyla bir türk dizisine bağlıyor mevzuyu Lemire. Tüm klişeler var. Anlaşamayan karı-koca. Çok düzgün, evine bağlı, mazbut görünüp kocasını aldatan ana, projesini kasabanın zenginine satmaya çalışan kız, gayrı meşru çocuk. Üzerine bolca arabesk ve ciğer yangısı. Ne ararsan artık.
Daha fazla detay verirsem spoilerın dibini ekmekle sıyırır, suyuna yemek pişiririz. O yüzden kısa kesmekte fayda var.
Velhasıl, Lemire etkisi ile -bu kadar klişeleri barındırsa da- okunan, akıcı bir hikaye. Derli toplu ilerliyor. Başta şaşırtıp, merak uyandırıp finale doğru “ben bunun filmini izledim ya” dedirtiyor.
Param olsa dizisini yapar, Netflix’e satar kendime ev alırdım.
Ama durun! Öyle hemen enseyi karartmak yok. 4 puan verdik, açıklayacağız.
Lemire’in bu kitabını türk dizi senaristleri ya da yapım firmaları keşfederse, başrolünde Mehmet Günsür ve Özcan Deniz’in oynadığı 178 bölümlük bir Ay yapım dizisi olarak izleyebiliriz. O derece bize uygun bir dram.
Hikayemiz bir yazarın “vay ben üretemiyorum, karımla aram bok gibi. Üstüne de babam kalp krizi geçirdi,” hezeyanıyla başlıyor. Baba toprağına dönen bunalımlı yazar karakterimiz, sevmediği geçmişiyle yüzleşiyor. Elbette tüm aile benzer bir trajediye sahip. Her birinin yanında bir sarı oğlan çocuğu var, ama farklı yaşlarda ve karakterlerde. Tam diyoruz ki Jeff Lemire yine bilim kurgu sevdasına düştü. Apır sapır bir şey çıkacak o sarı oğlanlar. Ama yok! Lemire bu sefer dramdan ilerliyor. Meğerse ailenin küçük oğlu zamanın zemherinde bir kaza eseri ölmüş ve tüm aile bu travmayı atlatamayıp bu sarı oğlanı yani Tommy’i kendi zihinlerinde, kendi paşa gönüllerine göre yaşatıp, yanlarında gezdiriyormuş.
Anne onu efendi bir rahip olarak hayal ediyor, evin ortanca ve it uğursuz oğlu kendi gibi bir uğursuz olarak. Ablası onu miniğim diye seviyor ve 5 yaşındaki haliyle gezdiriyor yanında. Bu dram ekseninde hikaye 12 fasikül ilerliyor ve bi noktada reklam girecek, bölüm bitecek de ana haber bülteninin gece yarısı tekrarı başlayacak diye bekliyoruz. Tam anlamıyla bir türk dizisine bağlıyor mevzuyu Lemire. Tüm klişeler var. Anlaşamayan karı-koca. Çok düzgün, evine bağlı, mazbut görünüp kocasını aldatan ana, projesini kasabanın zenginine satmaya çalışan kız, gayrı meşru çocuk. Üzerine bolca arabesk ve ciğer yangısı. Ne ararsan artık.
Daha fazla detay verirsem spoilerın dibini ekmekle sıyırır, suyuna yemek pişiririz. O yüzden kısa kesmekte fayda var.
Velhasıl, Lemire etkisi ile -bu kadar klişeleri barındırsa da- okunan, akıcı bir hikaye. Derli toplu ilerliyor. Başta şaşırtıp, merak uyandırıp finale doğru “ben bunun filmini izledim ya” dedirtiyor.
Param olsa dizisini yapar, Netflix’e satar kendime ev alırdım.
November 16, 2024
I loved every bit of Royal City. Lemire makes literature.
Royal City is about a shattered family in the titular city. The patriarch has a stroke and brings everyone back to town. Old wounds are reopened. We learn that the youngest son died back in ‘93. All of the family members still see his ghost (is it just in their head or are they actually seeing his ghost?). The family not only wrestles with these old scars but also learn all kinds of upsetting news.
Lemire is a master of writing characters that you can’t help but love. His books (at least the ones I’ve read) all have such a big heart. Compassion runs through all of them. The art is great. There are a ton of nods to 90s alternative, which I love! Don’t miss the alternate album covers and mix tapes (and Spotify playlists!) in the back.
Royal City is about a shattered family in the titular city. The patriarch has a stroke and brings everyone back to town. Old wounds are reopened. We learn that the youngest son died back in ‘93. All of the family members still see his ghost (is it just in their head or are they actually seeing his ghost?). The family not only wrestles with these old scars but also learn all kinds of upsetting news.
Lemire is a master of writing characters that you can’t help but love. His books (at least the ones I’ve read) all have such a big heart. Compassion runs through all of them. The art is great. There are a ton of nods to 90s alternative, which I love! Don’t miss the alternate album covers and mix tapes (and Spotify playlists!) in the back.
March 21, 2021
Incredibly intense. Partially inspired by Lemire's own childhood and upbringing in small-town Canada, Royal City harkens back to the same feeling explored in Lemire's earlier works like Essex County. Now however, Lemire is a different person who had a decade worth of comic book writing experience, and that shows in the way he treats these characters of Royal City. With an intense, serialized tone, Lemire explores themes of loss, identity, and familiar relationships like no other, and it truly captures those feelings of longingness and acceptance. I read this with the personalized playlists that Lemire has created for this comic playing through my headphones, and it was once again, a very intense experience, with vigorous pacing that is elevated with the music. Having connected with these themes and characters, with the added benefit of the intricate realism that Lemire has created, this truly is Lemire at his best.
December 20, 2022
Once I started reading this I couldn't put it down.
April 16, 2022
I haven’t been a huge fan of Lemire’s other graphic novel but this one really got to me. The 90s nostalgia with themes of middle age angst and the different ways a family deals with loss resonated with me. Plus the mixed tapes are awesome. If they aren’t up on Spotify as playlist yet, I’m going to do it!
February 17, 2023
My favorite comic I’ve ever read. Lemire is a master of writing about families and the concept of “home”. The drama and relationships are grounded in reality yet the overarching themes are supernatural, philosophical, spiritual. Absolutely recommended for anyone who enjoys comic books.
February 6, 2023
The art style was interesting to look at, but other than that, I don’t really have anything positive to say about this graphic novel. Everything about the characters and plot was dull and dreary to read through. I kept going in the hopes that this was just the buildup to something big happening and I finished the book with the feeling that it all went nowhere.
September 25, 2023
Y'know, despite how huge Jeff Lemire is in comics, people are NOT talking about Royal City enough. I haven't read much of Lemire's work myself, but this graphic novel is just brilliant.
What is it about? Well, in a very Stephen King way, it's about the city of Royal City, which could honestly be in Maine, a few hours drive from Derry or Castle Rock. It's also about the Pike family, who've spent their entire lives in the city. They had pretty typical small town lives until Tommy, the youngest, died in an accident.
The unresolved grief of Tommy's death looms large over the family - literally, even, as ghosts of Tommy hang out with his siblings and parents. In a physical manifestation of the malaise that plagues the Pikes, the factory that has drained the souls from Royal City residents is in the background of nearly every scene, merrily spewing smoke. The only path to happiness and internal peace is by coming to terms with the loss, which might lead the characters to realizing who they all really are.
This exact story has been told a million times, so you've really gotta bring something new to the table in order to stand out, whether it's a fresh idea or a fresh take on the old chestnuts. Royal City has got both in spades, and it's backed up with irresistible prose and gorgeous artwork. This is a smooth-reading book, but it's got layers and complexity that keep things engaging.
I could keep telling you everything that's great about Royal City, but I should probably let you go so you can read it and see for yourself. As for me, I'm suddenly a lot more interested in Jeff Lemire's work than I was before.
What is it about? Well, in a very Stephen King way, it's about the city of Royal City, which could honestly be in Maine, a few hours drive from Derry or Castle Rock. It's also about the Pike family, who've spent their entire lives in the city. They had pretty typical small town lives until Tommy, the youngest, died in an accident.
The unresolved grief of Tommy's death looms large over the family - literally, even, as ghosts of Tommy hang out with his siblings and parents. In a physical manifestation of the malaise that plagues the Pikes, the factory that has drained the souls from Royal City residents is in the background of nearly every scene, merrily spewing smoke. The only path to happiness and internal peace is by coming to terms with the loss, which might lead the characters to realizing who they all really are.
This exact story has been told a million times, so you've really gotta bring something new to the table in order to stand out, whether it's a fresh idea or a fresh take on the old chestnuts. Royal City has got both in spades, and it's backed up with irresistible prose and gorgeous artwork. This is a smooth-reading book, but it's got layers and complexity that keep things engaging.
I could keep telling you everything that's great about Royal City, but I should probably let you go so you can read it and see for yourself. As for me, I'm suddenly a lot more interested in Jeff Lemire's work than I was before.
January 28, 2021
This review is for the entire series! I loved it! I read it all in one day- beautiful, beautiful illustration/design and completely captivating story line and characters. My only qualm is that I felt obligated to read the little end essays after each issue which would have been fine, but I wanted to consume it so badly that they felt like road blocks! I do think the playlists for each issue are cool/ I liked seeing what music the author and I had in common, but I couldn't really listen to them while reading- I would have to do that separately which is a little inconvenient. Overall 10/10 would read again!
July 18, 2023
My favorite comic book of all time. Read it during a time of grieving and it broke me down. Heartfelt, emotional and relatable the whole way through. Would recommend it anyone who may be feeling lost in life. Brilliant read.
June 8, 2024
Absolutely loved this story. And I love when Jeff draws his stories. I really love his art style. So glad he made this.
May 7, 2022
(Zero spoiler review) 2.75/5
My issues with Jeff Lemire as a writer and artist have bene long splashed across the digital pages of this website. If you looked up competent comic book writer in the dictionary, there Jeff would be. I've read a significant majority of his work, and he's never written anything horrendously bad, nor anything better than reasonably good. The man continues to pump out decent book after decent book. Actually I take that back. Sweet Tooth the Return was abysmal. Anyway, if there was ever going to be a Lemire book that was going to break me out of my 'Jeff Lemire is average at best' funk, it was going to be Royal City. well done tales of suburbia are right up my alley. A fading small town on the edge of collapse. A family held together by tethers, all seemingly rushing headlong towards their own inevitable, individual collapse. Aa haunting memory keeping all from healing. A morose exploration of love and loss. This thing has OmniBen written all over it. Yet, unfortunately Jeff Lemire, bless him, manages to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with this one, somehow never managing to elevate it beyond the sun of its parts.
First of all, the art. I've long been a critic of Lemire's art. Yet here, for the very first time, He has managed to utilise his style to the benefit of the story, mainly through the excellent, muted watercolours featured throughout. There were even panels that, I would dare to call beautiful. Not something I think I've ever said about a Lemire drawn book before. I would still have preferred any number of other artists have drawn this and more effectively brought it to life, but for once, the art wasn't the lesser part of his work.
There were times when I was truly drawn into this work. The occasional moment where the writing and the art coalesced into something pretty special. Unfortunately, most of the time we got a pretty limp, contrived tale. The kind that any modestly talented teenager would fill page after angst filled page of. Lamenting their lot in life and hoping for more. It can be challenging to do suburbia right. Balancing the beautifully banal against the boredom of everyday existence. Crafting realistically plain yet engaging dialogue, scenario's settings. It isn't difficult to come across as trope-ish and contrived. Lemire managed little of the former and a lot of the latter. This tale has been told god knows how many times. Lemire hasn't managed to elevate himself into the upper echelon's of such story telling in my opinion. It's a shame really. I genuinely was rooting for this one.
That was all before my modest disappointment was quickly turned into raging ire with one panel fairly close to the end. I would love to dissect it proper, although that would be a spoiler, which I don't do. But if you've ever been reading a story and with a single line of dialogue, your opinion of the book drops dramatically... maybe you'll experience that here. Given the score this book currently has here, it seems I'm in the minority, although my opinion remains. This panel pissed me of royal, pun intended. I actually shouted 'Aw fucking hell"! I could've foreseen a re read at some point before than, but not now... Anyway.
Finally, this deluxe hardcover is gorgeous. The slick sheen of the book within your hands, the deliciously thick pages. The look of the colours... It's a technical feast to be sure. I only wish the creativity was somewhere close to on par. 2.75/5
OmniBen.
My issues with Jeff Lemire as a writer and artist have bene long splashed across the digital pages of this website. If you looked up competent comic book writer in the dictionary, there Jeff would be. I've read a significant majority of his work, and he's never written anything horrendously bad, nor anything better than reasonably good. The man continues to pump out decent book after decent book. Actually I take that back. Sweet Tooth the Return was abysmal. Anyway, if there was ever going to be a Lemire book that was going to break me out of my 'Jeff Lemire is average at best' funk, it was going to be Royal City. well done tales of suburbia are right up my alley. A fading small town on the edge of collapse. A family held together by tethers, all seemingly rushing headlong towards their own inevitable, individual collapse. Aa haunting memory keeping all from healing. A morose exploration of love and loss. This thing has OmniBen written all over it. Yet, unfortunately Jeff Lemire, bless him, manages to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with this one, somehow never managing to elevate it beyond the sun of its parts.
First of all, the art. I've long been a critic of Lemire's art. Yet here, for the very first time, He has managed to utilise his style to the benefit of the story, mainly through the excellent, muted watercolours featured throughout. There were even panels that, I would dare to call beautiful. Not something I think I've ever said about a Lemire drawn book before. I would still have preferred any number of other artists have drawn this and more effectively brought it to life, but for once, the art wasn't the lesser part of his work.
There were times when I was truly drawn into this work. The occasional moment where the writing and the art coalesced into something pretty special. Unfortunately, most of the time we got a pretty limp, contrived tale. The kind that any modestly talented teenager would fill page after angst filled page of. Lamenting their lot in life and hoping for more. It can be challenging to do suburbia right. Balancing the beautifully banal against the boredom of everyday existence. Crafting realistically plain yet engaging dialogue, scenario's settings. It isn't difficult to come across as trope-ish and contrived. Lemire managed little of the former and a lot of the latter. This tale has been told god knows how many times. Lemire hasn't managed to elevate himself into the upper echelon's of such story telling in my opinion. It's a shame really. I genuinely was rooting for this one.
That was all before my modest disappointment was quickly turned into raging ire with one panel fairly close to the end. I would love to dissect it proper, although that would be a spoiler, which I don't do. But if you've ever been reading a story and with a single line of dialogue, your opinion of the book drops dramatically... maybe you'll experience that here. Given the score this book currently has here, it seems I'm in the minority, although my opinion remains. This panel pissed me of royal, pun intended. I actually shouted 'Aw fucking hell"! I could've foreseen a re read at some point before than, but not now... Anyway.
Finally, this deluxe hardcover is gorgeous. The slick sheen of the book within your hands, the deliciously thick pages. The look of the colours... It's a technical feast to be sure. I only wish the creativity was somewhere close to on par. 2.75/5
OmniBen.
June 21, 2024
THIS TOWN'S BONES ARE LONELINESS.
Jeff Lemire's Royal City is a masterpiece.
I really do try—and surely fail—to refrain from overusing the term 'masterpiece', but in this case there's really no other way to put it. Jeff Lemire's Royal City is an emotionally shattering masterpiece of visual storytelling; a rumination on the everlasting stain left by grief, the all-too universal complexities of family dynamics, and the suffocating yet inescapable concept of 'coming home'. Lemire understands these themes and this world in a way that forces the reader to develop an overwhelmingly personal connection with the people, places and ideas within.
SO, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FINALLY LET GO.
10/10
Jeff Lemire's Royal City is a masterpiece.
I really do try—and surely fail—to refrain from overusing the term 'masterpiece', but in this case there's really no other way to put it. Jeff Lemire's Royal City is an emotionally shattering masterpiece of visual storytelling; a rumination on the everlasting stain left by grief, the all-too universal complexities of family dynamics, and the suffocating yet inescapable concept of 'coming home'. Lemire understands these themes and this world in a way that forces the reader to develop an overwhelmingly personal connection with the people, places and ideas within.
SO, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FINALLY LET GO.
10/10
September 23, 2021
People who understand Jeff Lemire in the broadest sense always want to point to “Essex County” as his best work. And while there’s no denying that “Essex County” is indeed a classic, it’s no “Royal City.”
At its core, Royal City is a ghost story, but not in the classic sense you’re probably used to. There are no ghouls or goblins and absolutely nothing at any point goes bump in the night. Instead, the Pike family is haunted by something far worse: grief, guilt, and a memory manifesting itself as the “ghost” of their youngest child/brother — the deceased Tommy Pike.
This is a return to form for Lemire, beautifully drawn and thoughtfully written. “Royal City” is evocative, powerful, funny, and endearing. It forces you to confront the ghosts of the past while simultaneously coming to terms with your own sense of self-loathing. I don’t know what else I can say, other than “Royal City” is quintessential Jeff Lemire, and flat out one of the best comics of the past decade.
At its core, Royal City is a ghost story, but not in the classic sense you’re probably used to. There are no ghouls or goblins and absolutely nothing at any point goes bump in the night. Instead, the Pike family is haunted by something far worse: grief, guilt, and a memory manifesting itself as the “ghost” of their youngest child/brother — the deceased Tommy Pike.
This is a return to form for Lemire, beautifully drawn and thoughtfully written. “Royal City” is evocative, powerful, funny, and endearing. It forces you to confront the ghosts of the past while simultaneously coming to terms with your own sense of self-loathing. I don’t know what else I can say, other than “Royal City” is quintessential Jeff Lemire, and flat out one of the best comics of the past decade.
December 20, 2025
4.5
Amazing, I cried like 5 separate times. My only nitpick is the ending. I thought that the resolution to the factory storyline was that Tara was going to accept leaving the town as is, to signify that it’s okay to let some things die to parallel to the ghost she sees but, in the end, the factory was supposed to represent staleness. In the end, Tara also says “I’m tired of living alone” as a response to why she is allowing Olive to live with her while looking at the ghost of Tommy. We know she’s had a miscarriage, but her present-day storyline really isn’t developed during the last few issues, so that line felt like it was making it seem like her miscarriage was somehow karma for getting an abortion, because otherwise I don’t know what revelation she was supposed to have at the end of the story that allowed her to accept Tommy’s death. I really wish she would’ve had more page time, because all we get from her is that she doesn’t want to end up like her mom.
Amazing, I cried like 5 separate times. My only nitpick is the ending. I thought that the resolution to the factory storyline was that Tara was going to accept leaving the town as is, to signify that it’s okay to let some things die to parallel to the ghost she sees but, in the end, the factory was supposed to represent staleness. In the end, Tara also says “I’m tired of living alone” as a response to why she is allowing Olive to live with her while looking at the ghost of Tommy. We know she’s had a miscarriage, but her present-day storyline really isn’t developed during the last few issues, so that line felt like it was making it seem like her miscarriage was somehow karma for getting an abortion, because otherwise I don’t know what revelation she was supposed to have at the end of the story that allowed her to accept Tommy’s death. I really wish she would’ve had more page time, because all we get from her is that she doesn’t want to end up like her mom.
March 13, 2023
Lemire captures small town malaise and family dysfunction so damn well. The titular city feels immediately familiar to anyone who has lived in rural Canada / US, a factory town well past its prime that seems to swallow up the future and potential of its inhabitants should they stay too long. The family drama is also wonderfully captured and the way Tommy was handled in particular was great; with each family member projecting their own conception of him onto their reality. The art perfectly fits the story and Lemire's watercolor palette exemplifies the muted regret and sorrow of it's characters. Probably my favorite of the down-to-earth Lemire works I've read (haven't got around to Essex County yet) and perhaps my favorite work of his in general. 9/10
April 2, 2023
خب خب خب بعد از مدت ها این اولین کتابی که دارم براش نقد می نویسم و خب این سومین اثریه که از جف لیمر خوندم.
کلا این کمیک خیلی نسبت به گیدئون فالز و سوئیت توس متفاوت بود. اول کمیک خیلی گنگ بود و بعضی جاها با خودم می گفتم ادامه بدم؟ یا نه؟ اما خب ادامه دادم چون به لیمر باور داشتم و خب مزد تلاشم رو گرفتم اگه بخوام این کمیک رو به چند بخش تقسیم کنم به دو قسمت تقسیم می کنم نیمه ابتدایی کمیک خیلی کند بود و نیاز به صبر زیادی داشت اما نیمه دوم سرعت خوبی گرفت و واقعا هیجان انگیز بود.
طراحی این اثر هم کار لیمر بود و سبکش مورد علاقه من هست و کلا با طراحی هاش حال می کنم.
کلا این کمیک خیلی نسبت به گیدئون فالز و سوئیت توس متفاوت بود. اول کمیک خیلی گنگ بود و بعضی جاها با خودم می گفتم ادامه بدم؟ یا نه؟ اما خب ادامه دادم چون به لیمر باور داشتم و خب مزد تلاشم رو گرفتم اگه بخوام این کمیک رو به چند بخش تقسیم کنم به دو قسمت تقسیم می کنم نیمه ابتدایی کمیک خیلی کند بود و نیاز به صبر زیادی داشت اما نیمه دوم سرعت خوبی گرفت و واقعا هیجان انگیز بود.
طراحی این اثر هم کار لیمر بود و سبکش مورد علاقه من هست و کلا با طراحی هاش حال می کنم.
May 27, 2024
This book is real, tough things happen, with honest reactions. Lemire writes and does the art, which is minimalist, with a watercolor feel, and almost bare-bones color. The art supports the story, a minimal amount of action, with unspoken messages, and deep undercurrents throughout. I think the readers will enjoy how far we have come with the Pike family and just because your life isn't perfect, it doesn't mean you shouldn't try to be happy. Most of all, not be alone. Honestly this book has really had such a big impact on my overall view of storytelling and creativity, I recommend this book to readers who enjoy real life fiction and who need something deeper in their comic book experience.
October 14, 2025
Wow. Great book. Jeff Lemire always impresses me. This one, like a lot of his stories, felt so real. It's about real people in a real small town going through a tragedy in their own real ways. We see the similarities and differences in how each member of the family processes grief. Slowly we're shown what actually happened to lead up to this horrible event. And at the end we see the good and bad ways everyone moves on. How they are able to let go. To be free. Something awful happened. And it will be okay. Really good book all around. Highly remembered.
August 10, 2021
Solid drama of a family haunted by their own insecurities, lies, and a lost son. The Pike family lives in a small city-based around a single factory business and a slightly odd radio tower. They come together after a family crisis, but have a lot of ghosts to work out and more than a few secrets to reveal. Touches on many domestic issues. The art style set the tone beautifully: a little stark, isolated, and introspective. (Reviewed by Sharon, Hickory Corner Branch)
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