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Boudicca
Britain has been crushed under the heel of the Roman Empire. Driven by vengeance, Queen Boudicca of the Iceni leads the Celtic tribes of Britain against the Roman occupiers in a bloody revolt. If she wins, it will mean the end of Roman rule in Britain forever.
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2017
3 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Neal Romanek
3 books19 followersNeal writes movies, comics and also actual novels with words in them. His new book is Skies Of Venus, a brand new instalment in Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic Carson Of Venus sci-fi adventure series.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 12, 2019
A graphic novel retelling of the story of Boudicca you ask. Sign me up, I say.
Neal Romanek and crew do an excellent job of bringing the story to life.
First, the artwork is stunning. I mean, look at the cover. The lack of coloring in the novel works. The use of black and white only makes the already powerful story even more powerful. There is wonderful detailing in some of the characters, and the scenes where nudity is involved are not those “let’s make the female character into a sex object scene”, if you know what I mean.
The plot is good, though the edge has to go to the art. In part, this is because of the frame used to tell the story. Quite rightly, the druids are brought in. Yet, telling the story in large part though the filter of a young druid, a man, shifts the emphasis away from the fact that a woman did it. Part of this is because there are men talking about how the Queen is grieving and not in her right mind. Of course, she isn’t, but discussing her that way cheapens the story as does the suggestion that she brought it on herself. It isn’t quite “grief drove her mad and she brought it on herself” trope, but at times it is uncomfortably close. Additionally, making it something of almost a romance at the end doesn’t quite work either.
However, those objections, though real, are not enough to ruin the story. While the fate of Boudicca’s daughters is slightly different here than the norm, it is still a very possible fate. (The rape is implied and happens off panel). The rage and pain that Boudicca feels at various points in the story are brilliantly portrayed both in the terms of writing and of the artwork. The battle scenes are awesome. There is even Roman politics at play and those are always fun to read about.
Neal Romanek and crew do an excellent job of bringing the story to life.
First, the artwork is stunning. I mean, look at the cover. The lack of coloring in the novel works. The use of black and white only makes the already powerful story even more powerful. There is wonderful detailing in some of the characters, and the scenes where nudity is involved are not those “let’s make the female character into a sex object scene”, if you know what I mean.
The plot is good, though the edge has to go to the art. In part, this is because of the frame used to tell the story. Quite rightly, the druids are brought in. Yet, telling the story in large part though the filter of a young druid, a man, shifts the emphasis away from the fact that a woman did it. Part of this is because there are men talking about how the Queen is grieving and not in her right mind. Of course, she isn’t, but discussing her that way cheapens the story as does the suggestion that she brought it on herself. It isn’t quite “grief drove her mad and she brought it on herself” trope, but at times it is uncomfortably close. Additionally, making it something of almost a romance at the end doesn’t quite work either.
However, those objections, though real, are not enough to ruin the story. While the fate of Boudicca’s daughters is slightly different here than the norm, it is still a very possible fate. (The rape is implied and happens off panel). The rage and pain that Boudicca feels at various points in the story are brilliantly portrayed both in the terms of writing and of the artwork. The battle scenes are awesome. There is even Roman politics at play and those are always fun to read about.
January 4, 2020
Though the telling of Boudicca is one consistent narrative, it feels like three separate stories pushed together. The pacing is awkward and constantly shifting. At first, the story is about political negotiation. Then it is about grief. Then supernatural myth. Then war. It would be one thing if this were a long-spanning epic, or divided between clear chapters with their own arcs and goals, but instead it's a short drama that can never really decide what it wants to be. Constantly adding and dropping story elements, characters drifting into or out of the story without much importance, and interesting framing ideas that feel more like footnotes in the narrative than actual contributions.
But despite its faults, there are clear strengths that leave me walking away from this book feeling like I enjoyed myself. There are elements of poetry and folklore that author Neal Romanek breathes into the world and elevates the story from soap drama to legendary myth. Johan Sward's art, while occasionally being hyperbolic and caricature, manages to convey the range of emotions necessary to sell Boudicca's anger and grief. In a story focused on war and rebellion the focus of the reader is always drawn to Boudicca and her own trauma and struggle, and though there are plenty of beautiful scenes full of warring armies and brutal attacks the real stand-out pages are the quiet moments of Bouddica's quiet introspection. The lack of colourist draws your attention more towards the characters and dialogue rather than the scenery, allowing your mind to slowly fill in the blanks as you start to colour in the pages mentally and envelop yourself in the setting.
The tale of Boudicca is a sad and angry one, equal parts lonesome trauma and righteous fury. It's definitely worth a consideration the next time you want to pick up a grounded historical war book that has the energy of Red Sonja without the fantasy.
But despite its faults, there are clear strengths that leave me walking away from this book feeling like I enjoyed myself. There are elements of poetry and folklore that author Neal Romanek breathes into the world and elevates the story from soap drama to legendary myth. Johan Sward's art, while occasionally being hyperbolic and caricature, manages to convey the range of emotions necessary to sell Boudicca's anger and grief. In a story focused on war and rebellion the focus of the reader is always drawn to Boudicca and her own trauma and struggle, and though there are plenty of beautiful scenes full of warring armies and brutal attacks the real stand-out pages are the quiet moments of Bouddica's quiet introspection. The lack of colourist draws your attention more towards the characters and dialogue rather than the scenery, allowing your mind to slowly fill in the blanks as you start to colour in the pages mentally and envelop yourself in the setting.
The tale of Boudicca is a sad and angry one, equal parts lonesome trauma and righteous fury. It's definitely worth a consideration the next time you want to pick up a grounded historical war book that has the energy of Red Sonja without the fantasy.
April 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this, but it’s not exactly a story about Boudicca. It’s more an imagining of the fall of the Druids and the role they play in Boudicca’s story. I loved the Druids’ story though. I am curious how much of the content regarding the Druids was imagined versus taken from research (for example their songs and poetry).
I was impressed that the artist was able to draw so many individual warriors. Often in comics that have so many people there will be a lot of repetition and similar features among all the background characters, but this artist created an amazingly diverse population.
The only thing that sort of bothers me is that the fate of Boudicca’s daughters differs in the book from history. I know that there is little record of what really happened, so maybe the daughters’ fate is up for debate more than a little, but it feels like a significant deviation.
I was impressed that the artist was able to draw so many individual warriors. Often in comics that have so many people there will be a lot of repetition and similar features among all the background characters, but this artist created an amazingly diverse population.
The only thing that sort of bothers me is that the fate of Boudicca’s daughters differs in the book from history. I know that there is little record of what really happened, so maybe the daughters’ fate is up for debate more than a little, but it feels like a significant deviation.
June 28, 2025
I appreciate that Tacitus was cited at the beginning and then so dutifully ignored for the entirety of this.
January 6, 2019
An excellent graphic novel. Beautifully rendered and a compelling tail of Boudicca and her fight against the Roman occupation of Britain. It also offers a plausible backstory for Lindow Man.
August 30, 2020
Super dark graphic telling of Boudicca's and revolt. Also depicts the demise of the Druids and the imposition of Roman Britain. Not an upbeat story. Very cinematic.
August 27, 2018
Shockingly OK.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews