Que de la gueule

by Bartosz Sztybor (Scénariste), Akeussel (Dessinateur)

Rahim est un gosse de banlieue comme les autres, un “bon garçon” qui se prend pour un caïd et gravite autour des mafieux locaux dans l’espoir de gravir les échelons. Entre deux courses de larbin, il rêve à haute voix à sa future légende urbaine ; mais ses potes se moquent : sa vie, c’est beaucoup de blabla, peu d’action. Jusqu’au jour où l’occasion en or se présente. L’occasion de montrer qu’il n’a pas que de la gueule…

Un projet urbain vivant, original et moderne, qui explore avec humour et cruauté le rapport toxique à la “réputation” qu’entretiennent les jeunes, d’autant plus dans le milieu clos des banlieues.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Crime

128 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2020

About the author

Bartosz Sztybor - polski dziennikarz, publicysta, krytyk filmowy i komiksowy, scenarzysta komiksowy. Wielokrotny laureat konkursu na krótką formę komiksową na MFK. Publikował m.in. w pismach Ozon, Wprost, Esensja, Chichot, Machina, Cinema, periodykach komiksowych i zinach.

Reviews

[Przemysław Skoczyński · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wszystko tu zagrało jak trzeba. Historia o wchodzeniu dzieciaków do gangsterskiego półświatka, w którym każda ścieżka prowadzi donikąd. Błędy młodości, naiwność, stroszenie piórek, walki gangów i szpanowanie gnatami, a w tle rodzinne traumy, żale i bieda. Myślałem, że będzie zabawnie, wyszło raczej smutno. Dobry scenariusz i klarowne karykaturalne rysunki, a do tego świetne kolory. Poleca się

[Danai · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A graphic novel focusing on the life of a young man involved with gang activity. The novel while portraying some of the hardships that surrounding yourself with dangerous members of gangs involves, doesn't dive into the issues that come along with it nor the reasons WHY someone may seek to be part of illegal groups nearly as much as I'd hope for it too. Overall not a bad read just a disappointing one. Id recommend for the author to write more in future works of his on such serious issues as my problems with the novel are based on the lack of length therefore the lack of analysis, such a topic needed.

[Thom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: I received access to read this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Sztybor has impressed me with his writing before, but i really think he dropped the ball on this one. Characters were good throughout but it felt like it was missing half of the story between the sudden scene changes and the multiple red herrings. It made it a little incomprehensible when it needed more space to fill in the ideas about the characters. Loved the character artwork and how unique everyone looked though.

[on storygraph (macclown) · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Talk follows Rahim and his involvement with gang activity in Berlin. I think the general premise was good, and with a bit more structure and fleshing out this would be a great read.

As it it it's much too short, there's not enough time to learn about the different characters, to grow attached, to actually experience the drama that unfolds. There's also a lot of scene changes that confused me, made it hard to follow sometimes.

The art style was great though, and overall I'd still recommend this. But I just wish there was a bit more to it!

ARC courtesy of BookSirens.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very violent, though superficial, look into gangland Berlin.

Rahim is a kid hanging in the streets of Berlin with his friends, Wiz and Focus. He imagines himself as a king of the gang, although his friends just don't see it happening to him. He is a good kid living among bad influences. One day, he sees an opportunity to make a move on the gang's leader only to find it's a dead end.

Sztybor's story is probably universal, however the execution of the tale in graphic form brings it down. There is an unevenness about Akeussel's stylized art that keeps the reader off-guard. The opening sequence, a story being shared by friends is told in shades of gray, white, and red; the action is in full color. In contrast in multiple frames scattered throughout the story, Rahim's thoughts/understandings are inserted within the story in full color with no visual explanation as to its meaning/importance as his thoughts. This results in breaking the rhythm of the storyline. I would have preferred artwork that was more gritty and realistic, and less stylized and cartoonish.

Also, the lettering was problematic for lower case "f". Most of the time it appears more like a capital "p", making the F-bomb into "pucking".

Had a hard time getting into this one.

Optional for adults.

[Sierra James · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Talk centers on a boy, Rahim, growing up in Berlin on the edge of gang life. As the title suggests, the story is preoccupied with the question of whether one's internal truth or "a good story" is more powerful. As Rahim entangles himself in an ill-conceived plot to gain the favor of the gang's boss, these stories and their truths begin to unravel. The art style was impactful and at times quite beautiful. The color scheme and stylized character design emphasized the action as well as the internal turmoil of the characters. I really enjoyed the moments of levity and kindness between the characters, and, despite it being a short book, the relationships between characters felt fully developed.

While I loved the relationship between the characters, I wish the authors had spent more time on them, especially in the later half of the book as the consequences of Rahim's actions begin to snowball. Additionally, the tragedy at times felt a little forced and extreme, even in the violent world of the book.

Overall, I would recommend this story for the art, characters, and rare depiction of the underbelly of modern Berlin.

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the tragedy of a young man, Rahim, whose need to feel esteemed and empowered leads him ever deeper into the gangster life. But in that vicious world, his desire to be seen as powerful and his inability to tolerate insult is a threat not only to his life, but to all those close to him – even those who are more emotionally mature than he. There are a couple characters that provide contrast by showing an ability to navigate that life of youth amidst inner city poverty. The reader hopes Rahim will bend their way but fears he will pull them down with him.

This is a straightforward story but is still emotionally rousing. It’s a little like watching a car crash in slow motion, one knows what will go wrong well before it does, just by virtue of the fact that it’s all been set inexorably in motion. And yet one can’t look away.

If you enjoy a modern-day tragedy, you may want to look into this one.

[Alina · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Rounded up from 3.5) I received a copy of this book for review.

This book is a look at the reality of gang life through the eyes of a young man, Rahim. I was not expecting how dark the story would get as the novel starts fairly lighthearted and is illustrated with a beautiful color palette that reminded me of lo-fi nostalgia videos. By the end of the story, it is clear that gang life is much harsher than the main characters have made it out to be.

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this book yet. The graphic novel was emotional and hard to put down, and I felt that the artwork was impactful as well as aesthetically pleasing. However, it sometimes felt like the transitions were too sudden. I also wish it were a bit longer so that it could flesh out the characters and go deeper into the plot.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of unattractively-drawn kids learn the hard way that it makes little sense to play at gangsters in the dodgy neighbourhoods of what turns out (eventually) to be Berlin. The take-out from this is that drugs is bad, guns is bad, thug life is bad, and that bad people like to say bad things about each other. Clearly if you're a bit snowflakey you're going to find more things said about you disagreeable, so there is that moral here. But yes, most of the characters are ugly and not really likeable at all, so it's hard to care that much – although representing one key scene through the visual analogy of the old Nokia snake game is cool enough to make this a worth-considering three and a half stars.

[Kyle Taborski]

"All Talk" by Sztybor has a nice emotional journey with interesting multifaceted characters. That said, the characters aren't the brightest or nicest. The art style leaned more towards goofy, which felt unconventional for the gang story being told. It read serious, but perhaps aligning this art style with the tone of movies like "Snatch" or "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels" would have enhanced the reading experience. Maybe it did and there was a translation issue? Additionally, the conclusion read more like a public service announcement than a satisfying ending. While it wasn't my cup of tea, I could see it having an audience of people that do enjoy it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[By Book and Bone (Sally) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have a love/hate relationship with All Talk. It's a snappy, depressing story about Rahim, a kid who thinks being in a gang is cool. He and his friends romanticise it.
The blurb essentially tells the whole story besides the very end as much of the graphic novel is the set up. Rahim's decision to prove himself is very much the climax of the novel, with the resolution ending very quickly.

There was some interesting comments on the different tone media takes on a suspicious death, based on race but it's basically one or two panels, nothing more.

Overall, it's ok, not amazing.

[Cassie Fleurs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Con un arte peculiar y explosiones de colores, esta (lamentablemente) corta novela gráfica cuenta la fatídica historia de Rahim.

Como a muchos otros, siento que si la novela fuera más larga podríamos haber explorado mejor las intersecciones de raza y clase centrales para hablar del tema de las pandillas. Considerando que todo sucede en Berlín pero nuestros protagonistas son personas racializadas , hubo más que podría analizarse aquí.

Pero es una buena y trágica historia de como un par de decisiones pueden alterar por completo la vida de los adolescentes en situaciones de riesgo.

El final es fuerte y doloroso.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished reading this graphic novel a couple weeks ago, but I've waited to write my review until I could think through how I felt about it. Ultimately, I finished the book, but it just wasn't for me. I think there may have been some cultural differences in the translation to English that left me to not understand the choices characters made at times. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Luke Coolbear · Rating 4 out of 5]

An illustrated graphic novel based in Berlin. The story follows Rahim, a young kid aspiring to rise in the ranks of his local street gang. It unfolds like a Greek tragedy. The theme is that bad intentions lead to bad actions that affect more than just the person choosing the actions.
Very simply drawn, and and almost cartoonist, it contrasts the very serious, adult and dark story it tells. Not very plot heavy, but straight forward in telling its cautionary tale.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 3 out of 5]

197×267 ¦ A.I. 08/2020 ¦ D.L. ²sem/2020 ¦ 18,50€ = eo(noté)

Narrative: ****
In some ways it's a masterpiece of attrition warfare in gangland- a captivating look at total forgettables that gets emotional with sideline stories that essentially nobody cares to populate their plots with.

Visual: ***
I didn't like it yet the style fits the content so well that it bent my sensibilities to enjoy the story.

[Solux]

pas mal, pas ce à quoi je m'attendais, intéressant ce graphisme avec cette narration
globalement de bonne facture ça m'a fait passer un bon moment en attendant la fin de nos rdvs tattoo au Piment shop bisous la team

[Karianne Giard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the art, because I artists with peculiar styles, and the idea behind the story was good, but I think the execution was just lacking.
It’s was kind of all over the place in the beginning too. I think this would have needed a couple more rounds in the editing block.

[Tomasz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nie jestem fanem ani historii, ani kreski (chociaż kolory były ładne). Pomysł na fabułę ciekawy, ale nie potrafiłem się zaangażować, za mało wiemy o bohaterach, a sceny są zbyt poucinane i za bardzo pędzą do przodu.

[Carina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story didn't have a brief introduction or presentation characters fans so it was quite difficult to get into the story.

And that ending ....

[Stacy Mathewson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gritty, emotional story. So exciting that I read it in one sitting.

[Sandwich Control · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fantastic read. Great twists and turns. A little choppy at times, but other than that very good. It’s nice to see a healthy dose of reality mixed into fiction.

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is especially incredibly expressive. It pairs well with the story revolving around the pressure to make the right choices as well as the consequences of making the wrong ones.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some dummies in a street gang in Berlin try and up their game. This was kind of terrible with really bad art.

[Ushnav Shroff · Rating 3 out of 5]

All talk and not much substance unfortunately. The artwork is quite good though!

[LaNesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... this was a very short read but it was also very authentic and didn't hold back.

[doodle grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

should've expected the ending sooner, how sad :cc

[Ezti · Rating 3 out of 5]

La historia tiene su aquel, pero ese dibujo horripilante es imperdonable.

[Grace McLean · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not a very long book, nor a very long story. It showcases a glimpse into the world of a young kid involved in Berlin’s gang violence, and what “street crew” can mean to influential minds. I really enjoyed it. I thought it was heartbreakingly realistic and it’s unique art style provides a playful realism to the text.

[matyyy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Během odpoledne jsem se nudil. Tak jsem se podíval na knihy, kterou budou v nadcházející době vycházet a tohle mě velmi zaujalo (nejen illustracemi). Ale raději jsem měl zkusit něco jiného.

English review
Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me an early reading copy.
I honestly don't know what to think about this. Honestly, I was going into the story with almost no expectations. But besides that, I thought it will be a great comic/graphic novel about a boy, who wants to make a mark in the big world.

And I got that. Kinda. The whole story tells story about the main character Rahim, who heard about the gangster legend Immortal Al and immediately wants to become like him. But that's hard to do in a world, where you're just a servant to everyone around you. So he gets to know more about local gangs and builds a perfect plan. But there may be a few things he didn't think about before.

The story was interesting, but not sufficient enough, and it was definitely not something I couldn't put down and just had to read it in one sitting. The comic is relatively short, so you can read them in a very short time, but there were still some things I couldn't resist, but criticise.

First, there was absolutely no character development and many of the characters were acting even horribly and badly in some scenes. This book is about gangsters, yes. But when your friend is dying and you can help him, you will still drive away and let him die so you could save your own life? That's not a friendship. And I don't want to say I was expecting a heart-warming story about great friendship, but it still feels very wrong.

Second, the book was very unbalanced. Most of the story is relatively calm and peaceful. But on the last pages, the author revealed (with like a snap of a finger) all his plot twists, which ends up in an incomprehensible end. It was looking like the author was kinda drowning in his own story, not knowing what to do. But in the end, he got all the needed thoughts and writes them all altogether.

But one thing I can praise is the illustration style, which was very beautiful and eye-catching; and also the originality of the whole story, because I haven't seen anything like this before.

In the end, I didn't like it at all and I wished it would be better than it was. But still, it is something you can read if you like this type of story because maybe it just isn't my type of genre.