Namibia, épisode 1

Namibia #1

by Rodolphe, Luiz Eduardo de Oliveira (Leo), Bertrand Marchal

Namibia, 1949. Three years after the Nuremberg trials, a white man is photographed in the middle of a corn field: it’s Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, who’s supposed to have committed suicide in his cell. Worried about the geopolitical implications of the discovery, MI5 sends Kathy Austin to Namibia. There, along with her new partner – a grumpy, misogynistic, racist old war horse, Kathy begins an investigation where the threat of Nazi resurgence soon makes way before more frightening – and unexplainable – phenomena.

Genres: Comics, Bande Dessinée, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Adventure, France

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 12, 2010

About the author

Rodolphe is the pen name for Rodolphe Daniel Jacquette. His works are primarily written in French.

Reviews

[J.L. Sutton · Rating 3 out of 5]

"They replaced the Reichsmarchall's body with some random corpse and burned the latter while Göring was off to Namibia."



Rodolphe's Namibia, Episode 1 is an interesting speculative history set shortly after WWII in which Göring escapes justice and ends up in Namibia. As we follow investigators on his trail, things get a bit strange. There are giant insects destroying crops. And swarms of insects forming giant dragons. But why? And what does any of this have to do with Göring? Was it a little far-fetched? Yes. Did I keep turning the pages? Again, yes. 3.25 stars

[Metodi Markov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Втората световна война е завършила преди няколко години, но светът е останал неспокоен и все така разделен. Нови съюзи и противостояния се омесват със старите вражди и подозрения.

Намибия, беден бивш немски протекторат в Африка става арена на интересна шпионска афера, с изразени sci-fi елементи.

Кати Остин е изпратена от английските специални служби да разследва на място информацията за появата на считания за мъртъв нацистки лидер Херман Гьоринг. Очакват я много приключения и изненади!

Както винаги, от авторите получаваме безупречни илюстрации и интригуващ сюжет!

[Diz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A British secret agent is sent to Namibia to investigate the appearance of giant insects and Hermann Göring, who is photographed in a corn field in Namibia after he is supposed to be dead. The story is weird and fractured. Also, the secret agent is partnered with another agent who is a misogynist and racist. While the secret agent pushes back against these ideas, it is still unpleasant to have that character in the story. Despite all of this, the story is so weird, that I felt that I needed to read on to find out what happened.

[Simon Chadwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linking directly to the previous five-volume series Kenya, British agent Kathy Austin is recalled to Africa to investigate another strange scenario on the continent. This time it’s not about isolated creatures from prehistory, but over-sized insects, damaged crops, a prematurely aging population and someone who appears to be Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring. Unlike Kenya, Namibia appears to be a less forgiving place in 1949, and that’s not helped by some of the attitudes towards race and women that some of the people express. So with a reluctant and disgruntled Major Bowley and a somewhat mysterious UN official called McDonald whose father is Namibian, they set off to find some answers.

Kathy Austin’s character shows more confidence this time around, which is just as well considering the thoughts and actions displayed against non-whites and women. The book doesn’t shy away from this, and takes advantage of the fact that Namibia was forcibly taken away as a colony from Germany at the conclusion of WWII. Like with Kenya, and indeed Leo’s Aldebaran series, the encounters with creatures are fleeting and mysterious, and I soundly approve of this new direction (although more prehistoric creatures wouldn’t have gone amiss either).

Bertrand Marchal has joined the creative team for this series, taking over the drawing from Leo, although Leo still prepares the layouts. Much credit needs to be given to Marchal as his style perfectly matches Leo’s, to the point that if you weren’t aware you’d probably never guess.

As before, this is excellent sci-fi that’s daring to be different from the mainstream. A genuinely intriguing and involving tale.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This first episode of a sequel series to the Kenya series is currently available on Kindle Unlimited in English. As I didn’t finish the Kenya series I don’t know if there’s a link between the two other than the protagonist.

This story has an intriguing premise: four years after the Nuremberg trials, Hermann Goring is spotted in Namibia in an area where strange insects are destroying crops and local populations are falling victims to an ageing disease.

The execution of the story is very average, however. The art is adequate, no more. Detailed and clear, but somewhat lifeless, mainly because there’s not much going on. The storytelling is slow, encumbered with very unpleasant secondary characters, and gets nowhere, with the cliffhanger on the last page providing the first moment of real interest.

A score of three stars is rather generous. I’ll read on for the premise, but only as long as the episodes are available on Kindle Unlimited.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have wanted to go to Namibia ever since I read 'African Kaiser.' hopefully COVID will calm down and I can get there.

This was interesting. Fugitive Nazis are always good villains. The asshole secret agent sidekick doesn't quite work. Why is he such an ass? And if he has always been an ass, why does he have a cushy job in Namibia?

If Herman Goering is tricky enough to convincingly fake is own death, why doesn't he also get some surgery or grow a beard?

[Alessandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I disegni sono davvero molto ben fatti, in chiaro stile linea chiara franco-belga. La storia ê appena all’inizio, e si interrompe all’improvviso, chiaramente per essere sviluppata nei volumi successivi. Per adesso, comunque, è sufficientemente avvincente.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story blend of history espionage and sci fi all in a comic book.


Could understand the words and the number of unknown words were very few. Good for B1 level

Gonna read the next one too

[Mark Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice art, intriguing storyline.

[Paulo Santana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same line of story of Kenya. Quite good. Like the art and argument.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short free graphic novel. As I am slightly tempted to by the next chapter, but not enough to do it I am giving this a 3.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 3 out of 5]

English Cinebook Edition = 2015

Narrative: ***


Art: ***

[The_Mad_Swede · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rodolphe and Leo return to the world they created in the five Kenya albums; this time with Marchal at the drawing boards (and he matches Leo's established aesthetics well).

After her previous adventures in Kenya, British secret agent Kathy Austin is dispatched to Namibia in 1949, after Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, who supposedly committed suicide during the Nuremberg trials, has been spotted there. On site, a new mystery is developing, and everything may not be exactly as it seems.

Namibia: Episode 1 does a good job of setting up this second series about Kathy Austin, which promises to be an interesting read.

[Angela Randall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was trying to get into it, but it wasn't that exciting, really. I read most of it before getting distracted.