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Grandville #1
Grandville
In Grandville, the first volume in the series, Talbot brings us a steampunk masterpiece. IIt tells the story of detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard as he stalks a gang of murderers through the heart of Belle Epoque Paris. In this alternative reality France is the major world power and its capital throngs with steam-driven hansom cabs, automatons and flying machines. The characters are mostly animals, though there is an underclass of humans, often referred to as 'dough faces'.
Visually stunning, Grandville is a fantastical and audacious rollercoaster ride that will add to Talbot's reputation as one of the best graphic novelists in the world.
Visually stunning, Grandville is a fantastical and audacious rollercoaster ride that will add to Talbot's reputation as one of the best graphic novelists in the world.
99 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2005
11 people are currently reading
1440 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Talbot
285 books186 followersTalbot began his comics work in the underground comix scene of the late 1960s. In 1969 his first work appeared as illustrations in Mallorn, the British Tolkien Society magazine, followed in 1972 by a weekly strip in his college newspaper.
He continued in the scene after leaving college, producing Brainstorm Comix, the first three of which formed The Chester P. Hackenbush Trilogy (a character reworked by Alan Moore as Chester Williams for Swamp Thing).
He started The Adventures of Luther Arkwright in 1978. It was originally published in Near Myths and continued on over the years in other publications. It was eventually collected together into one volume by Dark Horse. Along with When the Wind Blows it is one of the first British graphic novels.
In the early to mid-eighties he provide art for some of 2000 AD's flagship serials, producing 3 series of Nemesis the Warlock, as well as strips for Judge Dredd and Sláine.
The Tale of One Bad Rat deals with recovery from childhood sexual abuse.
Talbot moved to the American market in the 1990s, principally for DC, on titles like Hellblazer, Sandman and Batman. He also produced the art for The Nazz by Tom Veitch and worked with Tom's brother Rick Veitch on Teknophage, one of a number of mini-series he drew for Tekno Comix.
Talbot has illustrated cards for the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game.
He has also illustrated Bill Willingham's Fables, as well as returning to the Luther Arkwright universe with Heart of Empire. He has also worked on The Dead Boy Detectives.
In 2006, he announced the graphic novel Metronome, an existential, textless erotically-charged visual poem,written under the pseudonym Véronique Tanaka. He admitted that he was the author in 2009.
In 2007 he released Alice in Sunderland, which documents the connections between Lewis Carroll, Alice Liddell, and the Sunderland and Wearside area. He also wrote and drew the layouts for Cherubs!, which he describes as "an irreverent fast-paced supernatural comedy-adventure."
His upcoming work includes a sequel to 2009's Grandville, which Talbot says is "a detective steampunk thriller" and Paul Gravett calls it "an inspired reimagining of some of the first French anthropomorphic caricatures". It is planned as the first in a series of four or five graphic novels.
Source: Wikipedia
He continued in the scene after leaving college, producing Brainstorm Comix, the first three of which formed The Chester P. Hackenbush Trilogy (a character reworked by Alan Moore as Chester Williams for Swamp Thing).
He started The Adventures of Luther Arkwright in 1978. It was originally published in Near Myths and continued on over the years in other publications. It was eventually collected together into one volume by Dark Horse. Along with When the Wind Blows it is one of the first British graphic novels.
In the early to mid-eighties he provide art for some of 2000 AD's flagship serials, producing 3 series of Nemesis the Warlock, as well as strips for Judge Dredd and Sláine.
The Tale of One Bad Rat deals with recovery from childhood sexual abuse.
Talbot moved to the American market in the 1990s, principally for DC, on titles like Hellblazer, Sandman and Batman. He also produced the art for The Nazz by Tom Veitch and worked with Tom's brother Rick Veitch on Teknophage, one of a number of mini-series he drew for Tekno Comix.
Talbot has illustrated cards for the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game.
He has also illustrated Bill Willingham's Fables, as well as returning to the Luther Arkwright universe with Heart of Empire. He has also worked on The Dead Boy Detectives.
In 2006, he announced the graphic novel Metronome, an existential, textless erotically-charged visual poem,written under the pseudonym Véronique Tanaka. He admitted that he was the author in 2009.
In 2007 he released Alice in Sunderland, which documents the connections between Lewis Carroll, Alice Liddell, and the Sunderland and Wearside area. He also wrote and drew the layouts for Cherubs!, which he describes as "an irreverent fast-paced supernatural comedy-adventure."
His upcoming work includes a sequel to 2009's Grandville, which Talbot says is "a detective steampunk thriller" and Paul Gravett calls it "an inspired reimagining of some of the first French anthropomorphic caricatures". It is planned as the first in a series of four or five graphic novels.
Source: Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
September 1, 2016
Well, this was one gorgeous-looking mess. Combining alternative history with steampunk, the world of Grandville features humanoids with various animal heads, a few servants who look like Tintin, robots, steam-powered carriages, airships, Tarantino-esque violence, countless literary references, and a political conspiracy that echoes 9-11 and the so-called War on Terror. Some of these ingredients actually serve the plot, but most are just designed to look pretty - which they do, as Bryan Talbot's ridiculously detailed and polished artwork clearly is the main attraction here.
June 16, 2015
You'd think an action-packed alt-history graphic novel that referenced, among other things I grew up with, Weird Al, Princess Bride, and Tintin would be something I would love, but in fact it was only ok. Fun, but that's all. I might have liked it better without the pop cultural references, in fact, because they were all so damned obvious. I mean, if a person knows one line from UHF it will most likely be the "I don't need no stinkin' badgers" one, right?
Actually that pretty much sums up my feeling about this novel: too obvious. It's heavy-handed.
(Also: personally turned off by people with animal heads. It would be more interesting if they were somewhat anthropomorphic animals but still with animal qualities and differences between the species.)
Actually that pretty much sums up my feeling about this novel: too obvious. It's heavy-handed.
(Also: personally turned off by people with animal heads. It would be more interesting if they were somewhat anthropomorphic animals but still with animal qualities and differences between the species.)
October 6, 2017
I'm not usually that big on anthropomorphic characters but the magnificent artwork, dynamic alternate-history steampunk setting and action-packed plot totally sucked me in. If you like subversive plots like V for Vendetta, you should appreciate Grandville. I even forgave the talking animals when I read the line "Badgers? We don' need no steenkin' badgers." I'll definitely be reading more of these.
Hint: Check with your local library to see if they have access to Hoopla digital content.
Hint: Check with your local library to see if they have access to Hoopla digital content.
July 22, 2021
Grandville is an anthropomorphic, steampunk world where Napoleon conquered most of Europe and England has just recently regained its independence. Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard is a cross between Sherlock Holmes and James Bond. He investigates a staged suicide and the case quickly escalates from there.
Talbot has created an inventive original setting for his stories of mystery and adventure. His art is detailed and inventive.
Talbot has created an inventive original setting for his stories of mystery and adventure. His art is detailed and inventive.
January 24, 2019
Bryan Talbot's Grandville is a fast paced, fun romp featuring Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Le Brock pursing bad guys through Paris.
This graphic novel takes inspiration from Arthur Conan Doyle, but gives a new slant on things as all the characters are animals. The artwork is very good & strong enough to carry the story in places without any dialogue. I look forward to reading more of Le Brock's adventures & hope that they are as amusing as this first entry in the series.
Alice In Sunderland by the same author is also well worth a read.
This graphic novel takes inspiration from Arthur Conan Doyle, but gives a new slant on things as all the characters are animals. The artwork is very good & strong enough to carry the story in places without any dialogue. I look forward to reading more of Le Brock's adventures & hope that they are as amusing as this first entry in the series.
Alice In Sunderland by the same author is also well worth a read.
July 2, 2017
In comparing it to Blacksad, it feels to me like it pales. This is a steampunk story with many sources he names, like Sherlock Holmes and Tintin and many others he pays tribute to, but the art that others so highly praise, I didn't like so much. Maybe because I just made a run though a lot of sketchy style books like Over Easy by Mimi Pond, Mind Mgmt by Matt Kindt, others that feel more real, that I like better. . . I just think it's not quite as good for my taste.
September 19, 2011
"Grandville" is the name of the French city where two detectives go to investigate the murder of a British Ambassador. They dodge street gangs, save a damsel in distress, uncover yet more murders while picking up clues, and avoid being corpses themselves. In short, your usual detective story.
What makes this so much more than average is the stunning artwork Talbot's created. Motorised carriages, robots, airships, antiquated yet futuristic weaponry, panoramic views of Victorian streets populated with colourful animal headed people, highly detailed crowd scenes and polished buildings all presented on glossy, high quality paper.
I won't describe the background to this strange world as it'll take ages but it's fascinating and the detective characters are interesting and though Brock is perhaps an amalgam of popular detectives (Holmes, Marlowe, Hammer) he's compelling enough to be different in his own right. Readability is something few graphic novelists have in them but Talbot's work is so detailed you'll miss certain references that you'll discover upon going back. There's a lot of references to children's books that anyone who's familiar with them will enjoy like Beatrix Potter's characters and Herge's Snowy (presented here as an opium addicted tramp).
Possibly my favourite Bryan Talbot book and good place to start if you're new. Very accessible, very layered, a superb book and one of the highlights of comics in 2009.
What makes this so much more than average is the stunning artwork Talbot's created. Motorised carriages, robots, airships, antiquated yet futuristic weaponry, panoramic views of Victorian streets populated with colourful animal headed people, highly detailed crowd scenes and polished buildings all presented on glossy, high quality paper.
I won't describe the background to this strange world as it'll take ages but it's fascinating and the detective characters are interesting and though Brock is perhaps an amalgam of popular detectives (Holmes, Marlowe, Hammer) he's compelling enough to be different in his own right. Readability is something few graphic novelists have in them but Talbot's work is so detailed you'll miss certain references that you'll discover upon going back. There's a lot of references to children's books that anyone who's familiar with them will enjoy like Beatrix Potter's characters and Herge's Snowy (presented here as an opium addicted tramp).
Possibly my favourite Bryan Talbot book and good place to start if you're new. Very accessible, very layered, a superb book and one of the highlights of comics in 2009.
July 16, 2014
Times Online: In a twisty, gripping plot, mined with deep danger, LeBrock uncovers a nasty conspiracy in high places. The contemporary political resonances are sharp and pointed: as an amoral arms dealer remarks, “An empire needs to be at war ... it’s its engine, its driving force ... and ... we need Britain’s oil”. It’s a playful, allusive book in which there’s a witty touch or deliciously knowing in-joke on almost every page: the French press whipping up Anglophobia; LeBrock’s Holmes-like unpacking of apparently innocent signs, which yield vital information, when he makes his first appearance; the drug-addled Milou/Snowy, dreaming of plotlines of Tintin books in his opium-induced stupors. The numerous fight sequences are simply cracking, especially the beautifully rendered sprays of blood and, throughout, the glossy gorgeousness fills your eyes.
October 7, 2017
Ήταν ένα κόμικ που γλυκοκοίταζα καιρό τώρα, αλλά πάντα κάτι άλλο τύχαινε να έχει προτεραιότητα. Όμως το πέτυχα με επτάμισι ευρώ στο ΦantastiCon 2017 και αυτή την φορά δεν γινόταν να μην το πάρω. Για την ακρίβεια, δεν το πήρα απλά, αλλά το άρπαξα, μόλις είδα την τιμή. Και, φυσικά, το ξεκίνησα άμεσα, ενώ πριν από λίγα λεπτά το τελείωσα (με ένα μεγαλούτσικο διάλειμμα ελέω Εθνικής ομάδας). Λοιπόν, έμεινα απόλυτα ικανοποιημένος, τόσο από την ιστορία, όσο και από το σχέδιο. Η πλοκή αυτή καθαυτή δεν κρύβει και πολλές πρωτοτυπίες και σίγουρα δεν εκπλήσσει ιδιαίτερα τους έμπειρους αναγνώστες του είδους, όμως κρατάει το ενδιαφέρον από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος, ενώ είναι γεμάτη με δράση και φοβερές σκηνές. Επίσης δεν μπορεί να μην παρατηρήσει κανείς τις έμμεσες αναφορές και... μπηχτές, στα κακώς κείμενα της σύγχρονης διεθνούς πολιτικής σκηνής. Πολλά γεγονότα του κόμικ θύμισαν γεγονότα από την πραγματικότητα, ενώ οι κακοί της υπόθεσης έχουν πολλές ομοιότητες με αληθινά πρόσωπα. Από κει και πέρα, το σχέδιο είναι πάρα πολύ καλό, καθαρό και αρκετά λεπτομερές, με πολλά μεγάλα καρέ για μεγαλύτερη απόλαυση των οφθαλμών του αναγνώστη και φοβερά χρώματα. Είναι ένα κόμικ που συνδυάζει με απολαυστικό και άκρως ψυχαγωγικό τρόπο την κλασική αστυνομική ιστορία, την κατασκοπευτική περιπέτεια, την φαντασία, την επιστημονική φαντασία (λέγε με Steampunk) και την νουάρ ατμόσφαιρα. Η έκδοση της Jemma Press τρομερή και αναμφίβολα στολίδι για την βιβλιοθήκη κάθε λάτρη των κόμικς. Μελλοντικά σίγουρα θα διαβάσω και τους επόμενους τόμους της σειράς.
March 28, 2024
What to do when a headache (AND IT WAS BAD) incapacitates you - yep read! In this case it was re-visiting one of my best graphic novel series that I stumbled across - Grandville - the artwork is brilliant and I love the story line too.
I love this book. Ok its not your normal book to read but there are times when you find something just so totally different and amazing you just cannot read enough of it (you get to the end hoping here is another chapter or a sequel out there). I was aware of the author from my Uni days when as part of the unofficial reading list of my friends "The Adventures of Luther Arkwright" was required reading. The story is face paced and unpredictable, while the penmanship and artwork is fascinating (always had a soft spot for steam punk) and there are few little in jokes hidden in it that are brilliant, just enough for you to stop and think "....no that's not....", so all in all a worthy addition to my book shelf and look out for its sequel recently released.
I love this book. Ok its not your normal book to read but there are times when you find something just so totally different and amazing you just cannot read enough of it (you get to the end hoping here is another chapter or a sequel out there). I was aware of the author from my Uni days when as part of the unofficial reading list of my friends "The Adventures of Luther Arkwright" was required reading. The story is face paced and unpredictable, while the penmanship and artwork is fascinating (always had a soft spot for steam punk) and there are few little in jokes hidden in it that are brilliant, just enough for you to stop and think "....no that's not....", so all in all a worthy addition to my book shelf and look out for its sequel recently released.
November 5, 2017
A fantastic Victorian thriller! I had no idea what I would think of this story going into it, it’s essentially a Sherlock Holmes-esque murder mystery and also a spy thriller with James Bond moments with the high stakes action. The anthropomorphic characters Lebrock and Ratzi are just as cool and likable as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. It’s a fantastic and gritty murder mystery suspense thriller and maybe the best comic Bryan Talbot has done thus far.
January 19, 2019
It's too bad this sat on my shelf for so long, because I did not expect to like it so much. So we have anthropomorphized animals on an Earth with an alternate history where France dominates Europe (at least in the West). There is racial strife and everyone hates the British. Tons of violence, it rarely slows down. And that main character is ridiculously badass. It's like an Arnold Schwarzenegger film, but with creepy animal faces. The art is superb as well.
January 27, 2018
It is the what if Nappie won, took over England, oh and everyone is a animal comic you never knew you needed to read.
Okay, honesty, I don't get why all the animals are the same size, and, as always, I have that question about inter breeding, but it is a pretty cool rife on James Bond and Sherlock Holmes. Art work is nice too.
Okay, honesty, I don't get why all the animals are the same size, and, as always, I have that question about inter breeding, but it is a pretty cool rife on James Bond and Sherlock Holmes. Art work is nice too.
May 30, 2012
Bryan Talbot's reputation is built off the his Michael Moorcock inspired Adventures of Luther Arkwright and the excellent Tale of One Bad Rat. While this is what some would call this a "furry" tale, and it is, it is so much more.
Inspector LeBrock and his partner Ratzi are sent to France to investigate the apparent suicide of a British diplomat. Did I mention Britain has recently won its independence from France, as it lost the Napoleonic Wars? Of course this is not a suicide, nor is is a simple murder, because much more is happening.
Talbot manages to have his strong, intelligent and ferocious badger LeBrock show intelligence and caring. LeBrock gives us more emotions than many human characters. yes, the story is fairly straightforward, but like the excellent Blacksad forget that these are animals and enjoy a terrific tale.
I wold read more of LeBrock's exploits.
Inspector LeBrock and his partner Ratzi are sent to France to investigate the apparent suicide of a British diplomat. Did I mention Britain has recently won its independence from France, as it lost the Napoleonic Wars? Of course this is not a suicide, nor is is a simple murder, because much more is happening.
Talbot manages to have his strong, intelligent and ferocious badger LeBrock show intelligence and caring. LeBrock gives us more emotions than many human characters. yes, the story is fairly straightforward, but like the excellent Blacksad forget that these are animals and enjoy a terrific tale.
I wold read more of LeBrock's exploits.
April 10, 2015
I had great fun reading this steampunk graphic detective novel that's rather like a mash-up of Sherlock Holmes and The Wind in the Willows. This exciting "scientific-romance thriller" is set in an alternate-historical present-day France and England (though it seems more like Victorian times). In this version of history, France won the Napoleonic War 200 years ago. Technology is based on steam and includes robots, or automatons. The characters are talking animals (dogs, cats, frogs, fish, hyenas, elephants, lions, et al.). The protagonist, Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard (a badger), is as brilliant as Holmes and also an enthusiastic brawler. His loyal Watson is Detective Ratzi.
The artwork, the story, and the dialogue are all first-rate, and I'm looking forward to enjoying the next two entries in the series.
The artwork, the story, and the dialogue are all first-rate, and I'm looking forward to enjoying the next two entries in the series.
April 28, 2015
Really enjoyed this. Some Tarantino references were a bit pointless, but there was also some really hilarious. For example reference to Tintin's Milou dog really dropped me to the floor. I read this in Finnish and I hope that the following episodes will be published also. Relax and have fun with this. Excellent way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.
April 30, 2015
I love the political plots and the star character. LeBrock is similar to Sherlock Holmes but more human (what an irony since LeBrock is a badger.
December 27, 2025
Jachachá, prý „paropunk‟ místo „steampunku‟, plus za neo-obrozenecké snahy v češtině. Secesní paropunkový noir.
Taky to má být „vědecko-romantický thriller‟ haha, nojo. Je tam detektiv-inspektor jezevec Archibald "Archie" LeBrok a jeho kolega Roderick Krysa.
Antropomorfní zvířata (lidé slouží zvířatům jako „nekvalifikovaní pracovníci‟, jsou to něco na způsob „holých šimpanzů‟.
Alternativní historie, kdy Napoleon ovládne Británii a až po letech se jí vrátí určitá nezávislost.
Skvělá kombinace vědy, historie a umění tvoří zajímavou atmosféru. Britská socialistická republika? Napoleonská Francie? Miluju. Už mi to ani nepřipomíná Mause, ale něco velmi svébytného.
Sumec jako luxusní číšník. <3
Taky to má být „vědecko-romantický thriller‟ haha, nojo. Je tam detektiv-inspektor jezevec Archibald "Archie" LeBrok a jeho kolega Roderick Krysa.
Antropomorfní zvířata (lidé slouží zvířatům jako „nekvalifikovaní pracovníci‟, jsou to něco na způsob „holých šimpanzů‟.
Alternativní historie, kdy Napoleon ovládne Británii a až po letech se jí vrátí určitá nezávislost.
Skvělá kombinace vědy, historie a umění tvoří zajímavou atmosféru. Britská socialistická republika? Napoleonská Francie? Miluju. Už mi to ani nepřipomíná Mause, ale něco velmi svébytného.
Sumec jako luxusní číšník. <3
January 12, 2020
I can't wait to get hold of next volumes. Set in a alternate history where Brits lost to French in napoleonic wars. Characters are primarily animals but in rare occasions we see humans too. A hardboiled detective story.
April 17, 2023
Loved the world building elements: politics, species, tech. Story wasn't much good. Neither the protagonist. But my oh my... the shadow of our everyday politics in there, was gem.
Read
June 30, 2022Good concept and story, but the art was mediocre.
April 1, 2013
Uma intrigante ucronia que mistura o antropomorfismo com a estética steampunk. Dois séculos após a capitulação perante Napoleão a Inglaterra recupera a sua independência como república popular socialista, mas será sempre o alvo favorito dos ódios oficiais do todo-poderoso império francês. A investigação da morte violenta de um obscuro funcionário da embaixada inglesa leva um inspector da Scotland Yard a atravessar de comboio a ponte que une as ilhas britânicas ao continente. É em Grandville, capital do império, centro nevrálgico e luminária do continente que se oculta uma conspiração ao mais alto nível que visa despoletar uma guerra contra a Inglaterra para cimentar o poder vigente, abalado por uma sociedade que começa a dar sinais de querer mudanças profundas. Os métodos resolutos do denodado inspector vão pôr cobro a todas as conspirações e abrir a porta à revolução.
Bryan Talbot apropria-se do antropomorfismo, artifício da literatura infantil, para esta história de policial conspirativo que parece homenagear especialmente o clássico Wind in the Willows de Kenneth Graeme, com toda uma sociedade animalesca que replica de forma ingénua o tecido social inglês. Grandville replica esse artifício com uma caricatura dos estereótipos do carácter fleumático e excêntrico que associamos aos ingleses. Apesar de centrado em criaturas antropomórficas, os humanos não são deixados de parte. Surgem como uma espécie não muito inteligente, utilizada como mão de obra não especializada para trabalhos manuais originária dos arredores de Angoulême. Os conhecedores de banda desenhada compreendem a piada, e ainda mais deliciados ficam ao ver o Spirou a aparecer no meio da bicharada falante.
O toque steampunk arranca com a influência confessa de Albert Robida, ilustrador francês do século XIX conhecido pelos seus delírios futuristas desenhados com a sensibilidade estética da época. Claro que Robida não é um percursor da estética steampunk, mas a influência da sua iconografia faz-se sentir no género e Talbot homenageia-a com um retro-futurismo assumidamente steampunk directamente inspirado nas mais delirantes ilustrações do autor. Para que não restem dúvidas, chega a criar um estaleiro para as torres Robida, glosa irónica às torres gémeas que inclui atentados e conspirações tenebrosas.
Grandville é uma excelente surpresa. Mistura de policial com espionagem com um estilismo antropomórfico de sabor steampunk, parte de um argumento sólido e de uma intrigante construção de mundo ficcional para mergulhar o leitor numa realidade ucrónica onde os animais falam e a tecnologia imaginária do século XIX faz mover o mundo.
Bryan Talbot apropria-se do antropomorfismo, artifício da literatura infantil, para esta história de policial conspirativo que parece homenagear especialmente o clássico Wind in the Willows de Kenneth Graeme, com toda uma sociedade animalesca que replica de forma ingénua o tecido social inglês. Grandville replica esse artifício com uma caricatura dos estereótipos do carácter fleumático e excêntrico que associamos aos ingleses. Apesar de centrado em criaturas antropomórficas, os humanos não são deixados de parte. Surgem como uma espécie não muito inteligente, utilizada como mão de obra não especializada para trabalhos manuais originária dos arredores de Angoulême. Os conhecedores de banda desenhada compreendem a piada, e ainda mais deliciados ficam ao ver o Spirou a aparecer no meio da bicharada falante.
O toque steampunk arranca com a influência confessa de Albert Robida, ilustrador francês do século XIX conhecido pelos seus delírios futuristas desenhados com a sensibilidade estética da época. Claro que Robida não é um percursor da estética steampunk, mas a influência da sua iconografia faz-se sentir no género e Talbot homenageia-a com um retro-futurismo assumidamente steampunk directamente inspirado nas mais delirantes ilustrações do autor. Para que não restem dúvidas, chega a criar um estaleiro para as torres Robida, glosa irónica às torres gémeas que inclui atentados e conspirações tenebrosas.
Grandville é uma excelente surpresa. Mistura de policial com espionagem com um estilismo antropomórfico de sabor steampunk, parte de um argumento sólido e de uma intrigante construção de mundo ficcional para mergulhar o leitor numa realidade ucrónica onde os animais falam e a tecnologia imaginária do século XIX faz mover o mundo.
June 29, 2018
Englantilaisen Bryan Talbotin sarjakuvat eivät liene näillä tantereilla järin tunnettuja, vaikka joskus vuosituhannen taitteessa ilmestyikin suomeksi seksuaalisesta hyväksikäytöstä toipumista kuvannut "Tuhman rotan tarina". Se on sääli, sillä miehen lahjat ovat kiistattomat - sen todistaa omalta osaltaan myös vaihtoehtohistoriaa, kyberpunkkia ja rikostarinaa yhdistelevä "Grandville" (Jonathan Cape, 2009).
Sarjakuvan lähtöasetelma on mielenkiintoinen. Napoleonin sodissa tappion kärsinyt Englanti on itsenäistynyt uudelleen ja julistautunut sosialistiseksi tasavallaksi, jonka poliisivoimien palveluksessa oleva tarkastaja LeBrock joutuu tutkimaan brittidiplomaatin omituista kuolemantapausta.
Tutkimukset johtavat sankarimme ja hänen kanssaan työskentelevän rottaetsivä Ratzin aina kanaalin toiselle puolelle Pariisiin, jossa rikosvyyhti alkaa toden teolla vasta purkautua - ja syyllisen luokse vievät jäljet johtavat korkealle.
Bryan Talbotin piirrosjälki on jumalaisen komeaa, eikä itse tarina ole lainkaan hassumpi. Lisäksi sarjakuvasta voi halutessaan löytää melkoisesti yhtymäkohtia nykypäivän maailmanpoliittiseen tilanteeseen. "Grandvillea" voi suositella ainakin kaikille niille, jotka pitivät Alan Mooren "Kerrassaan merkillisten herrasmiesten liigasta" (tästäkin on löydettävissä intertekstuaalisia viittauksia, joista Tintin seikkailuihin osoittava heitto on erityisen riemukas) sekä historiallisesta seikkailu- ja toimintasarjakuvasta yleensä.
Sarjakuvan lähtöasetelma on mielenkiintoinen. Napoleonin sodissa tappion kärsinyt Englanti on itsenäistynyt uudelleen ja julistautunut sosialistiseksi tasavallaksi, jonka poliisivoimien palveluksessa oleva tarkastaja LeBrock joutuu tutkimaan brittidiplomaatin omituista kuolemantapausta.
Tutkimukset johtavat sankarimme ja hänen kanssaan työskentelevän rottaetsivä Ratzin aina kanaalin toiselle puolelle Pariisiin, jossa rikosvyyhti alkaa toden teolla vasta purkautua - ja syyllisen luokse vievät jäljet johtavat korkealle.
Bryan Talbotin piirrosjälki on jumalaisen komeaa, eikä itse tarina ole lainkaan hassumpi. Lisäksi sarjakuvasta voi halutessaan löytää melkoisesti yhtymäkohtia nykypäivän maailmanpoliittiseen tilanteeseen. "Grandvillea" voi suositella ainakin kaikille niille, jotka pitivät Alan Mooren "Kerrassaan merkillisten herrasmiesten liigasta" (tästäkin on löydettävissä intertekstuaalisia viittauksia, joista Tintin seikkailuihin osoittava heitto on erityisen riemukas) sekä historiallisesta seikkailu- ja toimintasarjakuvasta yleensä.
December 10, 2016
I've always been of the opinion that Bryan Talbot's Adventures Of Luther Arkwright edged out Alan Moore's Watchman as the great monumental comic of the eighties, for all that Arkwright was messy with underground new ave influences as opposed to the stunning, but sterile, formalism of Watchmen. Anyway, Talbot's on my pantheon of greats, and I've been looking forward to trying out his Grandville series, combining as it does, according to the blurb, Conan Doyle, Rubert The Bear and Quentin Tarantino. So what we get is a post-9/11 alt-history steampunk adventure with sex, ultra-violence and anthropomorphic animal characters and tons of references to animals in art and comics. It's an absolute blast as Inspector LeBrock, quintessentially British badger detective and tough guy investigates the apparent suicide of a diplomatic aide, an investigation that takes him to the French city of the title and a wide-ranging conspiracy that implicates the most powerful in French society.
Admittedly the dastardly plot is VERY post-9/11 but there's no denying the amazing vision and dazzling art and the fantastic energy and dark humour, the wonderful homages and cleverness of the vision.
Admittedly the dastardly plot is VERY post-9/11 but there's no denying the amazing vision and dazzling art and the fantastic energy and dark humour, the wonderful homages and cleverness of the vision.
September 25, 2019
James Bond v těle humanoidního jezevce, se schopnostmi indukce Sherlocka Holmese a ve světě steampunkové (kulturní i politické) nadvlády Francie? Do toho spousta kulturních odkazů a nápadů - např. obrazy, nejen Muchovy plakáty, moderní politika a konspirační teorie, francouzská jména pro dnes anglicismy pojmenované činnosti - jak náš svět převést do světa Grandville? Otázky, které se zodpovídají hned na dalších panelech? Tohle mě baví...
...i když je pravda, že nejen Svoboda vedoucí lid na barikády s hlavou slepice je poněkud zneklidňující.
Poznámka 1: Jediné, co mi po přečtení vrtalo hlavou, byla hned dvakrát použitá věta "Ve jménu Káně." Google nic nenabídl a tak jsem to zkusil najít v originálu - a hle, šlo o velmi staré francouzské zaklení "Name of a dog!”/“Nom d’un chien!”. Tak nevím, co tím náš překladatel Kantůrek myslel.
Poznámka 2: Díky googlení předchozí věty jsem našel tento krásný podrobný seznam kulturních odkazů knihy, včetně zmíněného zaklení. Dejte si.
...i když je pravda, že nejen Svoboda vedoucí lid na barikády s hlavou slepice je poněkud zneklidňující.
Poznámka 1: Jediné, co mi po přečtení vrtalo hlavou, byla hned dvakrát použitá věta "Ve jménu Káně." Google nic nenabídl a tak jsem to zkusil najít v originálu - a hle, šlo o velmi staré francouzské zaklení "Name of a dog!”/“Nom d’un chien!”. Tak nevím, co tím náš překladatel Kantůrek myslel.
Poznámka 2: Díky googlení předchozí věty jsem našel tento krásný podrobný seznam kulturních odkazů knihy, včetně zmíněného zaklení. Dejte si.
May 5, 2018
A British badger and his rat partner go to France to solve a murder. Sounds like the beginning of a weird joke, but I really liked this imaginative steampunk adventure. It reminded me of Canales and Guarnido’s Blacksad, which was also a detective story populated by strange humanoid animals (also, it was awesome—read it) but that one is crime noir. Both have incredible artwork and are on the violent side. This one has a wild alternate history and a lot of British lingo.
I don’t remember how this got on my radar in the first place, but it was great fun. I’ll be on the lookout for more Inspector Lebrock books.
I don’t remember how this got on my radar in the first place, but it was great fun. I’ll be on the lookout for more Inspector Lebrock books.
June 8, 2010
Full-color steampunk graphic novel.
Alternate history where France won the Napoleonic war, so that Britain only won it's independence recently in an anarchist revolution and is now a socialist state.
Sherlock Holmes-style character who solves a mystery involving a government conspiracy.
Tarantino-style violence.
Cameo appearance by Snowy, Tintin's dog.
9/11 allegory.
And every character, besides a few minor servants, have animal heads. Great and famous works of art appear in the background of several scenes, with the human heads turned into animals.
There is SO much going on in this graphic novel, I feel like describing it should be enough to convince you to read it. It's SO good.
Alternate history where France won the Napoleonic war, so that Britain only won it's independence recently in an anarchist revolution and is now a socialist state.
Sherlock Holmes-style character who solves a mystery involving a government conspiracy.
Tarantino-style violence.
Cameo appearance by Snowy, Tintin's dog.
9/11 allegory.
And every character, besides a few minor servants, have animal heads. Great and famous works of art appear in the background of several scenes, with the human heads turned into animals.
There is SO much going on in this graphic novel, I feel like describing it should be enough to convince you to read it. It's SO good.
March 1, 2015
I came across this when it was praised as a classic at a lecture on Steampunk at Manchester Festival of the Gothic. It’s a beautiful graphic novel, part Tintin, part Sherlock Holmes, part Tarantino with a wild premise – that animals rule the world and Napoleon won the war with England. Wit abounds amidst beautiful, humorous artwork recalling art nouveau, Rupert the Bear’s English village home, a glamorous animalistic Paris and plenty of steampunk gadgets and wizardry. The story itself is well crafted, but I didn’t care much for the violence and fights.
February 15, 2016
What Blacksad attempts with noir, Grandville attempts with Sherlock Holmes. While not quite as successful as the former, this is still a fun book and I found the two main characters more enjoyable (perhaps because they rely so heavily on Holmes and Watson who I'm quite familiar with). There are apparently many references to other works, but with the exception of UHF I didn't catch them. The final twist would have perhaps played better as a reader-only reveal, but that is a small gripe. The art is nice, but the coloring can somewhat "muddy" things at times.
August 30, 2017
Puhas kuld! Olin seda mingi 5 või 7 aastat tagasi lugenud (Nuxx vist laenas? Ops? Keegi?), mäletasin et oli hea aga ei mäletanud et lausa NIII hea. Aurupungi instant classic, võib julgelt vedada paralleele Erakorraliste Härrasmeeste Liigaga.
Ei siin pole muud, tuleb ka Grandville Mon Amour, Grandville Bête Noire ja Grandville: Nöel majja peksta...
Ei siin pole muud, tuleb ka Grandville Mon Amour, Grandville Bête Noire ja Grandville: Nöel majja peksta...
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