Cromwell Stone

Cromwell Stone #1

by Andreas

Recuperación de una de las series de más éxito del guionista y dibujante Andreas, quien en su momento revolucionó el mundo del cómic de filiación fantástica y de querencia por los enigmas. Para ello, Andreas juega con los códigos de la historia y de las viñetas y desestabiliza al lector en un juego en el que la sorpresa es uno de los factores determinantes.

Una misteriosa llave, de origen desconocido, ha sido robada en el transcurso de un viaje en barco. Cromwell Stone, que se encuentra a bordo, constata cómo los otros pasajeros son sistemáticamente eliminados. Comienza así una fantástica aventura para descubrir la naturaleza del extraño objeto.

Genres: Comics, Comic Book, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Horror

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Andreas is the pen name for Andreas Martens. His works are primarily written in French.

Reviews

[Alberto Martín de Hijas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia de horror cósmico con una gran influencia (reconocida) de Lovecraft. Una trama irreal, entre el sueño y la pesadilla que desarrolla una atmósfera asfixiante y con un dibujo brillante de Andreas. Como el resto de la obra del autor tiene un argumento un tanto (¿deliberadamente?) confuso, aunque eso es prácticamente la marca de la casa.

[Ignacio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esta puesta en página de ciertos elementos Lovecraftianos (el relato como testimonio por uno de sus protagonistas, el lugar poblado por gente decrépita, la casa de geometría imposible, la historia de tintes marinos, la amenaza de algo inasequible por lo humano...) se alza sobre los tópicos gracias a una composición ajena a las convenciones, repleta de planos desequilibrantes y viñetas construidas siguiendo secuencias que juegan con su tamaño, con vistas a transmitir un desasosiego y una opresión crecientes, además de la tremenda confusión de su narrador. Este desconcierto está tan bien logrado que ha habido veces que he perdido el hilo de lo que estaba pasando, me temo que también por la comprensión de un argumento pelín atropellado.

[Rex Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the art for this novel is the high point of the book and probably the best reason for a person to buy this volume, the story is a little jerky. Granted it’s a horror story and sometimes logic must be tossed out the window, but a lot of the dialogue is very odd. This might be due to a bad translation however; many people seem to be in love with this story. I agree it’s an interesting tale, but it seems hastily constructed around some amazing visuals.

[Adam Šilhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krásně divné a poutavé. Místy mně přišla kresba úžasná, místy strašně matoucí. Jeden z mála komiksů, které si možná přečtu znovu.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ISBN (despite starting French 2) IS U.K. ENGLISH

I enjoy knowing the creation chronology which he signs:
"ANDREAS
JANUARY-NOVEMBER '82"

He begins with a Lovecraft quote which put me directly in that kind of story mindset so that I could "see" things more clearly and appreciate his rendition.

That said, I'm bored by and exhausted with the over-indulgence of his material by the non-nylon sequential set! BUT I grant leeway outside of Anglophones and was rewarded in full because

I LOVED THIS BOOK- it would have ***** if the end wasn't sudden and ambiguous thus frustrating and unsatisfying despite a one page epilogue. (Franco-45pager wiring?)

He superbly maneuvered the mythos without following the strip-miners through the same-old in a deluxe fashion of detailed hypno-paneling and poignant well-placed dialogue.

ART: MIND-BLOWING
It did. Stupefied me. Imagine the staging freedom freestyling of Crepax but with full detail everywhere in dumbfounding draftsmanship discipline- while still retaining it's expressionism! That may not sound possible but it is indubitably.



John Goodman and at very least two other recognizables got roles and he indulged in non-story-rendered cameos within the first panel of the 14th story page!

[Nuno R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very experimental work thats shows the quality of Andreas art and the range of his creativity. Page after page different solutions come up, surprising the eye. Incredible line work and outstanding use of the medium. This is a story that can only happen in bande dessinée and Andreas makes full justice to the 9e Art.

[Bob Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite his ! Such mastery of black and white !

https://youtu.be/4FCD_cu67W8

[Titus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heady, enigmatic, atmospheric Lovecraftian horror comic, with amazing, intricate black-and-white artwork. It has two sequels – each instalment published ten years apart – but it works fine as a standalone, as long as you’re OK with open endings. It reminds me a lot of the fantastic "Obscure Cities" series by François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters – both in its art style and its mysterious, slow-burn story – and I highly recommend it to any fans of that. The plot’s climax is a little disappointing, but overall I still think this is an excellent comic and it’s left me eager to read more by its author.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the story is purposefully difficult to follow at times, it is engaging. I never put the book down after reading the first "chapter." The art though. I could look at the wonderful ink drawings by Andreas all day! He masterfully conveys the sense of dread and otherworldly mystery with every page.

[Denny B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una storia che grida Lovecraft da tutti i pori: dalla trama all’impostazione della tavola lunga e minacciosa come un’ombra scura che segue il paranoico protagonista di un incubo.
Si risolve tutto un po’ troppo velocemente, lasciando l’onere ai disegni di salvare la baracca.

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art warrants a 4. The story, a bit too out there at times in terms of its take on creation, leaving the read not quite a full 3.

[Kim]

The artwork is great.