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Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance #5-8

Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal Age of Resistance The Ballad of Hup & Barfinnious

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AN OFFICIAL PREQUEL TO THE HIT NETFLIX SERIES! Return to Thra in a time before the Age of Resistance to meet Hup - the breakout star of Netflix’s hit Dark Crystal series, who’s a Podling cook dreaming of being a Paladin - and who discovers that sometimes it’s not good when your wishes come true! One day, the chivalrous bard Barfinnious comes to Hup’s village with tales of former glory and charms the Podling into leaving his small town to journey into adventure. But the longer they travel, the more Hup begins to doubt that Barfinnious is truly who he says he is... Based on a story by Jim Henson’s Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance series writers, Will Matthews & Jeff Addiss, Adam Cesare (Clown in a Cornfield) and French Carlomagno (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) present an official prequel to the next chapter of the pop culture phenomenon, now streaming on Netflix. Collects Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance #5-8.

112 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2020

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Jeffrey Addiss

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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for pastiesandpages - Gavin.
480 reviews13 followers
June 6, 2024
Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal Age of Resistance: The Ballad of Hup and Barfinnious
Story by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews
Written by Adam Cesare
Art by French Carlomagno

Another four issue mini series sumptuously presented in a beautiful oversized hardcover.

You don't need to have seen the Age of Resistance series (I haven't) and you don't even need to have seen the original film to enjoy this as it's very much a self-contained fantasy story.

Hup is an adorable character. The Podling works as a cook in his village and dreams of adventure so when the famous bard and adventurer Barfinnious visits the Podlings it's not long before Hup talks his way into joining him as his squire to learn how to be a hero.

Of course Barfinnious isn't exactly who he claims to be and may have embellished the stories of his life.

The task they find themselves with to save another village from monsters is really secondary to the story of these two companions and how they bring out the best of each other.
Hup may only brandish his wooden spoon as his weapon of choice but it's his heart and optimism that may help Barfinnious to change his ways, believe in himself and become the hero that is needed.

It's emotional, heartwarming and the art is simply beautiful. One of my favourites of the Dark Crystal comic book stories that I've read.
86 reviews
September 19, 2023
An endearing look into the Podling, Hup's backstory. I have not read the two other bundled graphic novels in this series, but this compilation of comics revolving around Hup is perfect. Learning about Hup's past as a chef until he meets the Paladin Bard, Barfinnious, drastically changes the course of his story. Learning to trust his instincts and evaluate others based on their deeds and not words are just two of the lessons Hup learns along the way. This story is a perfect tie-in to Netflix's The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance show, and I recommend it for any fans of the Dark Crystal universe.
Profile Image for Angelica Cindy.
138 reviews2 followers
February 28, 2021
Hup is one of my most favorite characters from the Dark Crystal, and I really admire his courage and loyalty. I absolutely enjoyed reading about Hup and how his journey began. The visual depictions in the novel were gorgeously drawn! I fell in love with all of the characters, and the story was wonderfully written! Throughout the series of events, the story really captured and expanded on Hup's character.
Profile Image for Anna.
345 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2022
Hup my beloved, really liked getting his backstory in this comic and also just genuinely enjoyed the story! I liked the message and the characters as well as the lore - it all just felt very Dark Crystal-like in the best of ways! The art is nice but also quite stiff at time - however I feel like the visual vibe of Thra was captured well!
378 reviews
June 4, 2023
3.5 stars

Similar to the first volume this was a great companion to the show Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on netflix
this volume explains a story/backstory of one of the main characters in the show Hup. It was nice a short and gave a glimpse of Hup before the show.

if you like the dark crystal i would highly recommend
Profile Image for Riley.
65 reviews
October 28, 2020
I’ll admit I was not the biggest fan of Hup in the show, but it was fun to see where he came from what what drove him to travel to Har’ra to become a paladin. Solid story great art, sure fans of hup will love it
3.5/5
Profile Image for Chris D'Antonio.
64 reviews
January 7, 2021
Love a story about Hup, though this one, while endearing wasn't really captivating or thoroughly enjoyable. Still, props to the Dark Crystal universe for demoting violence in a story arc and promoting broader skills in the interest of telling a story.
Profile Image for Nour.
4 reviews
June 28, 2024
This comic made me love Hup even more! Carlomagno's illustrations were simple but beautiful and atmospheric, and they fit perfectly with the essence (pun intended) of Thra. I was also happily surprised with how much I liked the ending of the comic. I highly recommend it to all Dark Crystal fans!
Profile Image for R.
2,250 reviews6 followers
February 17, 2024
Well done. An interesting story with good illustrations and artwork. A fun tale.
There seems to be some water splotches or some kind of damage to the artwork in many places. I don't know if it was a printing error but it doesn't look like it belongs there in the art.
Profile Image for estherbookster.
507 reviews3 followers
June 27, 2023
Beautiful artwork, the perfect cozy fantasy graphic novel. The characters are enjoyable to read about with humor and comedy sprinkled in as well as heart-warming scenes. The Gelflings and world of Thra never ceases to amaze. I'd reread and highly recommend this book for all readers because it's such a cute story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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