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Millennium: Sylvain Runberg's Adaptation #3-4
Millénium - Intégrale - Tome 2 - La fille qui rêvait d'un bidon d'essence et d'une allumette
Ce nouveau volet de l'adaptation de « Millénium » se recentre sur le passé de Lisbeth Salander, dont l'histoire personnelle se recompose tel un puzzle. Tandis que Mikael Blomkvist se lance, pour le compte de « Millénium », dans une nouvelle enquête sur le trafic d'êtres humains en Europe de l'Est et du Nord. Les pistes que suivent, chacun de leur côté, Lisbeth et Super Blomkvist se rejoignent peu à peu pour n'en faire plus qu'une, sur les traces de l'énigmatique et dangereux Zala..
136 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2014
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648 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 10, 2019
My run for cover with my favorite literary character Lisbeth Salander continues with The Girl Who Played With Fire. Nobody does it better than Stieg Larsson's data security consultant and amateur vigilante and rather than read the novel, I'm on to the next book in a graphic novel adaptation of Larsson's trilogy by Belgian author Sylvain Runberg, with artwork by Manolo Carot and English translation by Rachel Zerner published in 2017 by Titan Comics and Hard Case Crime. I won't keep on gushing about why Salander is my favorite literary character but this book suffers a bit from Middle of Trilogy Syndrome.
The story picks up with investigative journalist and national hero Mikael Blomkvist and two married freelancers who join Millennium seeking to expose human trafficking in Sweden. Lisbeth Salander is incognito in the Caribbean, spending the funds she embezzled from Erik Wennerström. She returns to Stockholm and learns that her legal guardian woke from his coma, while her rapist Nils Bjurman is trying to remove the tattoo Salander marked him with. Keeping tabs on Blomkvist's investigation, she realizes that his freelancers are in danger. Seen fleeing the scene of their murder, Salander goes fugitive. Rebelling against his own newspaper, Blomkvist seeks to prove her innocence.
While I'd already read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as a novel and seen both the Swedish and U.S. film versions, I'd been briefed on the story and didn't mind the abridged nature of the graphic novel. I didn't feel as if the story was thin or I missing anything. Unfamiliar with Larsson's next two installments, I did feel as if vital material was locked up here. Carot's illustrations are very good and of the two, I prefer his work over José Homs'. The jury is still out on whether I like or dislike Middle of Trilogy cliffhangers. I'll give Larsson points for building a mansion with more rooms and hidden passages to explore, but do often feel like I'm being cheated out of a full story.
Cover by Claudia Ianniciello.
Artwork by Manolo Carot.
Cover by Claudia Caranfa.
The story picks up with investigative journalist and national hero Mikael Blomkvist and two married freelancers who join Millennium seeking to expose human trafficking in Sweden. Lisbeth Salander is incognito in the Caribbean, spending the funds she embezzled from Erik Wennerström. She returns to Stockholm and learns that her legal guardian woke from his coma, while her rapist Nils Bjurman is trying to remove the tattoo Salander marked him with. Keeping tabs on Blomkvist's investigation, she realizes that his freelancers are in danger. Seen fleeing the scene of their murder, Salander goes fugitive. Rebelling against his own newspaper, Blomkvist seeks to prove her innocence.
While I'd already read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as a novel and seen both the Swedish and U.S. film versions, I'd been briefed on the story and didn't mind the abridged nature of the graphic novel. I didn't feel as if the story was thin or I missing anything. Unfamiliar with Larsson's next two installments, I did feel as if vital material was locked up here. Carot's illustrations are very good and of the two, I prefer his work over José Homs'. The jury is still out on whether I like or dislike Middle of Trilogy cliffhangers. I'll give Larsson points for building a mansion with more rooms and hidden passages to explore, but do often feel like I'm being cheated out of a full story.
Cover by Claudia Ianniciello.
Artwork by Manolo Carot.
Cover by Claudia Caranfa.
October 23, 2019
I liked Sylvain Runberg's sequel better than the first book. I found the plot was better explained, allowing readers to grasp more of the complexity of Stieg Larsson's Scandinavian noir masterpieces. We are also provided the key backstories that led to the brilliant Lisbeth Salander: her family and what followed when the family was dissolved. Not sure why the artist changed from the first book, but I thought the drawings of Lisbeth were less consistent in the sequel. Nonetheless, looking forward to Book #3.
October 10, 2018
The Girl Who Played with Fire is the second graphic novel in this Titan comic series. These are based on the popular Millennium series by Stieg Larsson.
These Sylvain Runberg comics have been translated from the French versions.
I am a big fan of the Millennium novels by Stieg Larsson. So I was excited to get to read this adaptation.
The text was just as good and thorough as in the first book. I was easily able to follow the story (although it was just a refresher since I've read the books and seen all of the movies).
The biggest difference between this and the first graphic novel is that the artist is different. This was extremely bizarre to me, especially reading these books one right after the other.
What I liked about the drawings in this book: The colors were brighter, bolder, and darker. I think that this was a much better fit for this series.
Also the heads were not as big in this book. I really liked how most of the characters were drawn.
One problem was that it was much easier to tell the people apart in book one. In this book there were three brunette women all within a few pages ... and they all looked almost identical. I had a very difficult time trying to tell them apart.
I liked how the characters were drawn in this book. However, Mikael, Lisbeth and Erika all looked completely different from the first book. Maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal if you read the graphic novels months apart. But reading them all at once ... well it was very disconcerting and a bit confusing. Although that said, I actually think that I preferred the illustrations in this book (minus the fact that a few characters looked too similar).
These Sylvain Runberg comics have been translated from the French versions.
I am a big fan of the Millennium novels by Stieg Larsson. So I was excited to get to read this adaptation.
The text was just as good and thorough as in the first book. I was easily able to follow the story (although it was just a refresher since I've read the books and seen all of the movies).
The biggest difference between this and the first graphic novel is that the artist is different. This was extremely bizarre to me, especially reading these books one right after the other.
What I liked about the drawings in this book: The colors were brighter, bolder, and darker. I think that this was a much better fit for this series.
Also the heads were not as big in this book. I really liked how most of the characters were drawn.
One problem was that it was much easier to tell the people apart in book one. In this book there were three brunette women all within a few pages ... and they all looked almost identical. I had a very difficult time trying to tell them apart.
I liked how the characters were drawn in this book. However, Mikael, Lisbeth and Erika all looked completely different from the first book. Maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal if you read the graphic novels months apart. But reading them all at once ... well it was very disconcerting and a bit confusing. Although that said, I actually think that I preferred the illustrations in this book (minus the fact that a few characters looked too similar).
March 31, 2019
Wow! Intense, deep plot! I look forward to the third volume!
Currently reading
April 10, 2024somehow receded back into my unread hordes @¾through ...
{I combed out all +50%/+100p. read and shelved for motivation}
{I combed out all +50%/+100p. read and shelved for motivation}
January 8, 2018
I am way too dumb to be able to follow the plots of the Millenium books, so even this I had to read twice to understand why the hell it is that Mikael Blomkvist's sex trafficking news story ends up with Lisbeth Salander on the run for multiple homicides or whatever, because what kind of convenient nonsense is that and how do any of the elements in this book fit together in a believable way?
And the answer is that it doesn't make a ton of sense -- I mean, more sense than it should, I guess, but on the other hand, you could also just write a plot that doesn't rely so completely on shocking coincidence?
On the other hand, why am I expecting so much? People like these books, sure, but like, is anyone saying they're, I dunno, art? And even if they were art, would they be art because they have logical plots, or would they be art because Lisbeth Salander is, yknow, fucking cool and shit?
I think what I've come to decide is that the art of these books, if there is one, is that they take all the slimy, exploitative elements of crime fiction and sort of turn them inside out and make you hate yourself for fetishizing luridness, not in some kind of puritanical moralist kind of way, but more like -- why do we have this fascination with, and proclivity toward violence? And what exactly should escapist fiction do in responding to and/or satiating those fascinations?
I like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo because it makes me feel disgusting, and I'm not quite sure if its sequel makes me feel disgusting or just sort of stupid. I also don't know why I should care how it makes me feel, for fuck's sake. Who owes anyone anything in this doomed world.
And the answer is that it doesn't make a ton of sense -- I mean, more sense than it should, I guess, but on the other hand, you could also just write a plot that doesn't rely so completely on shocking coincidence?
On the other hand, why am I expecting so much? People like these books, sure, but like, is anyone saying they're, I dunno, art? And even if they were art, would they be art because they have logical plots, or would they be art because Lisbeth Salander is, yknow, fucking cool and shit?
I think what I've come to decide is that the art of these books, if there is one, is that they take all the slimy, exploitative elements of crime fiction and sort of turn them inside out and make you hate yourself for fetishizing luridness, not in some kind of puritanical moralist kind of way, but more like -- why do we have this fascination with, and proclivity toward violence? And what exactly should escapist fiction do in responding to and/or satiating those fascinations?
I like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo because it makes me feel disgusting, and I'm not quite sure if its sequel makes me feel disgusting or just sort of stupid. I also don't know why I should care how it makes me feel, for fuck's sake. Who owes anyone anything in this doomed world.
May 24, 2018
This book includes issues #3-4 of the Millennium comic series (about 135 pages, combined), which comprise Sylvain Runberg’s complete adaptation of the source novel The Girl Who Played With Fire.
Stieg Larsson’s popular Millennium Trilogy has been adapted into the graphic novel format twice. This French version generally received much acclaim and has been translated and published in 13 countries. However, for five years it was unavailable to American and British readers because there was already a completely different English-language adaptation in print from DC comics and author Denise Mina. Hard Case Crime has translated Runberg’s version, meaning there are now two different English comics available today.
The first graphic novel The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo was absorbing and entertaining, but this sequel was not as good. First, the artist was different. While the characters were similar in appearance, the mannerisms and facial expressions were “just a little off,” like when producers cast new actors to play your favorite characters in a television show.
Second, the plot relied heavily on coincidences. Lisbeth Salander’s legal guardian just happens to have connections with the same criminal gang of sex traffickers that Mikael Blomkvist is investigating. Lisbeth just happens to show up at a crime scene at the wrong time to get mistaken for the murderer. Lisbeth’s family just happens to have a surprise connection to the case…
Since I have not read the source novel, I do not know whether Sylvain or Larsson is to blame for these story faults. I plan to continue with the series, mainly because Runberg has continued Lisbeth’s story past the point where the novels ended and I am interested to see where he goes with it.
However, I hope future volumes are more intelligent than this one.
Stieg Larsson’s popular Millennium Trilogy has been adapted into the graphic novel format twice. This French version generally received much acclaim and has been translated and published in 13 countries. However, for five years it was unavailable to American and British readers because there was already a completely different English-language adaptation in print from DC comics and author Denise Mina. Hard Case Crime has translated Runberg’s version, meaning there are now two different English comics available today.
The first graphic novel The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo was absorbing and entertaining, but this sequel was not as good. First, the artist was different. While the characters were similar in appearance, the mannerisms and facial expressions were “just a little off,” like when producers cast new actors to play your favorite characters in a television show.
Second, the plot relied heavily on coincidences. Lisbeth Salander’s legal guardian just happens to have connections with the same criminal gang of sex traffickers that Mikael Blomkvist is investigating. Lisbeth just happens to show up at a crime scene at the wrong time to get mistaken for the murderer. Lisbeth’s family just happens to have a surprise connection to the case…
Since I have not read the source novel, I do not know whether Sylvain or Larsson is to blame for these story faults. I plan to continue with the series, mainly because Runberg has continued Lisbeth’s story past the point where the novels ended and I am interested to see where he goes with it.
However, I hope future volumes are more intelligent than this one.
July 10, 2024
I picked this up as a bargain half price graphic novel and was a page or two in before realising that this was a graphic novel re-imagining of a story I'd already read, rather than a further exploration of Stieg Larsson's iconic heroine Lisbeth Salander.
It's interesting to read the same story in different forms - the more cinematic style of the graphic novel trying to capture the essence of Larsson's plot and exposition heavy story in a few framed pictures.
Tbh I think it helped already knowing the story, because Larsson's complex multi-character narrative did create scope for confusion, particularly around the artists need to make so many characters distinctive, particularly when the story catches them at different ages and in a variety of action distracting action poses.
That aside, the graphics are bright and sharply engaging - though the visual format does mean the more lurid aspects of Larsson's story about sex trafficking and abuse are perhaps more apparent than when delivered just by the written word.
In Larsson's trilogy this is the first of a two part sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which delivers and resolves Lisbeth's backstory in an entanglement with the present. I first picked up the trilogy by leafing through the opening pages of the final volume which was particularly confusing as this book ends on a cliff hanger with Salander in desperate danger.
The graphic novel captures that same sense of peril well enough to make me want to pick up the next book, although the precise choreography that gets Salander into that danger did surprise me. It wasn't as I remembered it in the original novel - but then, this is an adaptation - and I may go back to check. Who knows I might even pick up the graphic novel sequel - and pay FULL price!
It's interesting to read the same story in different forms - the more cinematic style of the graphic novel trying to capture the essence of Larsson's plot and exposition heavy story in a few framed pictures.
Tbh I think it helped already knowing the story, because Larsson's complex multi-character narrative did create scope for confusion, particularly around the artists need to make so many characters distinctive, particularly when the story catches them at different ages and in a variety of action distracting action poses.
That aside, the graphics are bright and sharply engaging - though the visual format does mean the more lurid aspects of Larsson's story about sex trafficking and abuse are perhaps more apparent than when delivered just by the written word.
In Larsson's trilogy this is the first of a two part sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which delivers and resolves Lisbeth's backstory in an entanglement with the present. I first picked up the trilogy by leafing through the opening pages of the final volume which was particularly confusing as this book ends on a cliff hanger with Salander in desperate danger.
The graphic novel captures that same sense of peril well enough to make me want to pick up the next book, although the precise choreography that gets Salander into that danger did surprise me. It wasn't as I remembered it in the original novel - but then, this is an adaptation - and I may go back to check. Who knows I might even pick up the graphic novel sequel - and pay FULL price!
March 20, 2021
This one was a little harder to follow than the last, in part because the plot gets a lot more intense. There are a lot of different parts interwoven here, and given that those tasked in creating creating graphic novel adaptation had a lot to sift through from the original novel, I think it's a given that at times it takes a moment to sit back and try and get it all straight in your head. There are far more characters and a lot more details. Condensing a large novel into this shorter format must have been a task I don't envy myself. Because you have to map out all the important details in a way that it can be understood, whether or not the reader has read the original novel, and still be able to capture the essence of the story without making it too vague or too convoluted.
But you know what? I think they did a damn good job. Like with the last, it's been years since I read the original novel. So this was a refreshing way to come back to it and jog my memory. There's obviously a lot that was cut out, and some of that came back to me as I read it. But I think they captured its essence well. I got the gist of the story and, even though it was hard to follow at times, it all made sense in the end.
The artwork was, once again, lovely. Gritty and unflattering at times, but in a way that worked. And Lisbeth is always a badass. I love that there was so much more of a focus on Lisbeth and her backstory, even though it's a tragic one.
But you know what? I think they did a damn good job. Like with the last, it's been years since I read the original novel. So this was a refreshing way to come back to it and jog my memory. There's obviously a lot that was cut out, and some of that came back to me as I read it. But I think they captured its essence well. I got the gist of the story and, even though it was hard to follow at times, it all made sense in the end.
The artwork was, once again, lovely. Gritty and unflattering at times, but in a way that worked. And Lisbeth is always a badass. I love that there was so much more of a focus on Lisbeth and her backstory, even though it's a tragic one.
June 3, 2018
The second graphic novel in the Swedish Millenium Trilogy adaptation continues the pulpy trashiness of the first book, if not the strength of story and character. Unfortunately, it struggles with many of the same problems that plague sequels. It treads much of the same territory as the first, only with higher stakes, but not much different to say. In this case, this means upping the violence and sexual violence as well. There isn't nearly as much interesting mystery to be uncovered as in the first story, nor as much to learn about our protagonist or eponymous girl who is playing with fire. And, like many middle stories of a trilogy, we end with something of a cliffhanger instead of the satisfying conclusion of the first, superior story. The art is also a little less polished than the first book.
In all, whether this follow up is worth reading has a lot to do with how the third book is handled. I haven't read it. As of now, I have high hopes that the third book will justify and redeem this one. If so, it will find itself an adequate second chapter. If not, I'll wish I had stopped after the near perfect first book.
☠
Trade Paperback, First
A Hard Case Crime Graphic Novel
Titan Comics, February 2018
Translated from Swedish by Rachel Zerner
Three Stars
June 1-3, 2018
☠
In all, whether this follow up is worth reading has a lot to do with how the third book is handled. I haven't read it. As of now, I have high hopes that the third book will justify and redeem this one. If so, it will find itself an adequate second chapter. If not, I'll wish I had stopped after the near perfect first book.
☠
Trade Paperback, First
A Hard Case Crime Graphic Novel
Titan Comics, February 2018
Translated from Swedish by Rachel Zerner
Three Stars
June 1-3, 2018
☠
August 10, 2017
Rizzoli, el editor italiano del primer tomo de esta serie, decidió no seguir publicando los otros. Yo quería leer el final y tuve que comprar la versión español.
Leer de nuevo las aventuras de Lisbeth es muy extraño. Por un lado no me acuerdo casi nada de lo que sucedió en las novela. Por otro, cuando leo, todos los acontecimientos me parecen familiares. Creo que es fundamental leer las novela para apreciar esta adaptación.
Como en el tomo precedente, los cambios de escena son demasiado rápidos. A veces, no pude distinguir los flashbacks del relato porque no hay marcadores. Pero la historia es siempre muy buena y me gusta muchísimo.
Estoy esperando el tercer tomo para poder concluir este serie.
Leer de nuevo las aventuras de Lisbeth es muy extraño. Por un lado no me acuerdo casi nada de lo que sucedió en las novela. Por otro, cuando leo, todos los acontecimientos me parecen familiares. Creo que es fundamental leer las novela para apreciar esta adaptación.
Como en el tomo precedente, los cambios de escena son demasiado rápidos. A veces, no pude distinguir los flashbacks del relato porque no hay marcadores. Pero la historia es siempre muy buena y me gusta muchísimo.
Estoy esperando el tercer tomo para poder concluir este serie.
September 10, 2021
Lisbeth Slander is a badass and I'm here for it.
I got this series as part of a humble bundle, which is raising money for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, who amongst other things, are fighting for LGBTQ and reproductive rights, including fighting to stop the new abortion ban in Texas.
https://www.humblebundle.com/hard-cas...
I got this series as part of a humble bundle, which is raising money for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, who amongst other things, are fighting for LGBTQ and reproductive rights, including fighting to stop the new abortion ban in Texas.
https://www.humblebundle.com/hard-cas...
November 6, 2023
Oj vilket nedköp. Hade förväntat mig samma höga kvalité som i första boken Män som hatar kvinnor, men den här är tyvärr hafsigt sammanställd. Stör mig bl.a. på den bristande korrekturläsningen, och att det är så lätt att "tappa bort sig" mellan alla olika hopp i tiden.
August 22, 2017
Artwork is great but the horror and thrill that was the original book looses out on being boiled down considerably - read the books before enjoying the art and recap that these comic books really are. They are great but they add to the books if you have read them. If you read these instead of the books you will loose out. Read both but read the books first
June 17, 2018
Even more trimmed than the first book, with lots cut and a fair bit of stuff changed. The book confused me bad enough, so having this skimmed version and trying to keep track of who is involved with what is really hard. Very basic nutshell of the overarching plot, done less efficiently than the first.
January 31, 2019
I received this book free from Goodreads giveaways.
I enjoyed this adaptation. It could have been longer, but even this short it held true to the story. I have previously read the full length books however, so some of the essence may be lost to those who are not already familiar with the details of the story. I enjoyed the art. Simultaneously gritty and beautiful.
I enjoyed this adaptation. It could have been longer, but even this short it held true to the story. I have previously read the full length books however, so some of the essence may be lost to those who are not already familiar with the details of the story. I enjoyed the art. Simultaneously gritty and beautiful.
July 29, 2023
The first book The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is better, I stoped reading the series after this one. I wish we were back with Henrik but this story is not about him or his family it’s about Salander. She is interesting and the book is good but I was too hooked on the Vanger family story that this one felt not as strong.
April 4, 2020
This followed the novel very closely but faster. The scenes that I was worried about being too graphic weren't bad still dark and gets the point across but didn't give me nightmares. I'm already ready the next.
December 23, 2022
A Hard Case Crime continuation of the Millennium collection. This one needs the third volume to feel complete…so good thing I grabbed both from the library. Great story and character. Excellent mystery.
July 1, 2018
Mantiene la línea de drama-suspenso, pero pierde mucho en el apartado del arte, tan bien manejado en la primera entrega.
November 2, 2018
I listened to this audio book as part of the trilogy which I had read years ago. While not quite as good as The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, it is still a wonderful novel.
March 3, 2019
Un estupendo thriller tan bueno como el anterior libro de Stieg Larsson estoy ansiosa por iniciar el siguiente libro de la serie Millenium
October 4, 2019
Lisbeth Salander es de lejos uno de los mejores personajes de la novela negra.
January 28, 2020
Super recomendable. Me gustó mucho.
February 24, 2020
Lisbeth es mi héroe
March 22, 2020
El mejor de todos
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
March 5, 2022
Really good adaptation of the novel. The art work is well done. I read the first adaptation of the girl with the dragon tattoo and this one is just as good.
August 16, 2025
Lika bra som ettan!
May 26, 2021
Después del primer libro de esta saga, me quise leer inmediatamente este, aunque me tardé un poco porque igual son medio densos los temas que tocan los libros. Tengan cuidado y lean los TW! Pero definitivamente no me decepcionó. Al igual que el primero, hubo algunas cosas que no se entendían al principio, pero a medida que va avanzando la historia todo comienza a cobrar sentido. No hay mucho más que decir. Es una historia intrigante, que te deja completamente metida y que te hace sentir todo tipo de cosas (no todas buenas, está demás decirlo). Muy recomendada!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews