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Les Mondes d'Aldébaran
Aldebaran: The Creature
Mark and Kim, who have lost the rest of the group, are left with the wounded Ling-Li. Luckily, Alexa quickly meets up with them, and they're on their way to the sea again. But when the governor and Father Loomis catch up to them, they're taken straight to the mantris. The second cycle takes the theme of the colonisation of space further than most sci-fi comics by looking at its ecological aspect.
96 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2009
About the author
Luiz Eduardo de Oliveira (Leo)
107 books173 followersLuiz Eduardo de Oliveira (born on December 13, 1944 in Brazil),[1] more famous under his artist name LEO is a Brazilian comics creator.
After having graduated as an engineer in mechanics, Oliveira left Brazil because of the military dictatorship that was in power at the time. He went first to Chile, but the following year saw the Chilean coup of 1973. This led Oliveira to leave, moving to Argentina, from where he finally returned to Brazil in 1974.
He found work as an illustrator in the advertising industry of São Paulo, before once more leaving Brazil, in 1981, this time moving to France, hoping to illustrate comics. However as the Franco-Belgian comics industry was in recession at the time, he was forced to work in advertising once again, although he managed to get the occasional piece published in L'Écho des savanes and Pilote.
In 1986, with the assistance of Jean-Claude Forest, Oliveira began contributing to the youth dedicated magazines of Bayard Presse. He illustrated true stories for Okapi magazine. He then recounted Mahatma Gandhi's life in the album Gandhi, le pèlerin de la paix, for Astrapi.
In 1988, the comics writer Rodolphe asked him to provide the artwork for his stories. Their collaboration proved fruitful, producing 8 albums of material for their Trent series and 5 for their Kenya one.
In 1993, Oleveira finally achieved an old dream when Dargaud agreed to publish his first solo series: Aldébaran. In 2000, after 5 volumes of Aldébaran, he launched Bételgeuse, which was nominated for the Prize for a Series at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2004.
After having graduated as an engineer in mechanics, Oliveira left Brazil because of the military dictatorship that was in power at the time. He went first to Chile, but the following year saw the Chilean coup of 1973. This led Oliveira to leave, moving to Argentina, from where he finally returned to Brazil in 1974.
He found work as an illustrator in the advertising industry of São Paulo, before once more leaving Brazil, in 1981, this time moving to France, hoping to illustrate comics. However as the Franco-Belgian comics industry was in recession at the time, he was forced to work in advertising once again, although he managed to get the occasional piece published in L'Écho des savanes and Pilote.
In 1986, with the assistance of Jean-Claude Forest, Oliveira began contributing to the youth dedicated magazines of Bayard Presse. He illustrated true stories for Okapi magazine. He then recounted Mahatma Gandhi's life in the album Gandhi, le pèlerin de la paix, for Astrapi.
In 1988, the comics writer Rodolphe asked him to provide the artwork for his stories. Their collaboration proved fruitful, producing 8 albums of material for their Trent series and 5 for their Kenya one.
In 1993, Oleveira finally achieved an old dream when Dargaud agreed to publish his first solo series: Aldébaran. In 2000, after 5 volumes of Aldébaran, he launched Bételgeuse, which was nominated for the Prize for a Series at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 29, 2017
When I was young I went with my family to Las Vegas; amongst other things we watched some nature documentaries in the Imax theatre (which was a new thing at the time). I've stood in awe at the Grand Canyon. I've been to a performance of the amazing opera, Marriage of Figaro. I've been through many Australian rainforests. I went to a King Buzzo gig with my husband, and we were so close to Buzz that we very easily could have touched him. All of those things blew me away, almost to the point of disbelief.
This series of graphic novels slips in, quite easily, to this same group of awesomeness. I know. I know! It sounds completely lame, but Luiz Eduardo de Oliveira's work speaks to my soul, man. Seeing a massive, salamander-like nestor crawl out of the beach and collapse; or an amedea pop its huge, Humpty Dumpty looking face out of the ocean; or even just seeing some of the main characters floating down a river in a gigantic gourd --- these graphic novels give me Grand Canyon worthy goosebumps; that feeling of being so small, yet being a part of something unfathomably enormous.
The illustrations are simplistic in form, yet I totally dig them. The story is intriguing. I love that I can tell that it wasn't originally written in English; that adds to its charm. I love it. I just love it.
I'm not sure if this next description will make sense, but I feel the need to include it in my review, so I will. I recently watched a documentary called Blackfish. (It was sad, but I'm really glad I watched it and I would recommend it.) It was about killer whales in captivity. Watching the trainers, not only swimming and performing with the whales, but having a genuine relationship with these creatures... that's how I feel when I read Leo's graphic novels. Like a straight up French kiss to my soul. Yummy.*
I can understand how some people may not 'get' this, but I definitely do. In fact, I dare say it's my favourite graphic novel series. (Sorry Saga and Maxx.) I would most definitely recommend it.
*Note to self: probably not a good idea to write reviews when it's past your bedtime.
This series of graphic novels slips in, quite easily, to this same group of awesomeness. I know. I know! It sounds completely lame, but Luiz Eduardo de Oliveira's work speaks to my soul, man. Seeing a massive, salamander-like nestor crawl out of the beach and collapse; or an amedea pop its huge, Humpty Dumpty looking face out of the ocean; or even just seeing some of the main characters floating down a river in a gigantic gourd --- these graphic novels give me Grand Canyon worthy goosebumps; that feeling of being so small, yet being a part of something unfathomably enormous.
The illustrations are simplistic in form, yet I totally dig them. The story is intriguing. I love that I can tell that it wasn't originally written in English; that adds to its charm. I love it. I just love it.
I'm not sure if this next description will make sense, but I feel the need to include it in my review, so I will. I recently watched a documentary called Blackfish. (It was sad, but I'm really glad I watched it and I would recommend it.) It was about killer whales in captivity. Watching the trainers, not only swimming and performing with the whales, but having a genuine relationship with these creatures... that's how I feel when I read Leo's graphic novels. Like a straight up French kiss to my soul. Yummy.*
I can understand how some people may not 'get' this, but I definitely do. In fact, I dare say it's my favourite graphic novel series. (Sorry Saga and Maxx.) I would most definitely recommend it.
*Note to self: probably not a good idea to write reviews when it's past your bedtime.
April 9, 2020
A conclusão da saga acaba por saber a pouco. A colónia volta a estar ligada à Terra, a elite governamental ditatorial é derrubada graças às ações da misteriosa criatura que, claro, confere imortalidade aos personagens principais desta história. O resto é um wrap up da saga, ficando de fora a resposta à questão sobre os mistérios do planeta.
Estes estão guardados para outra nova saga, Betelgeuse. Aqui, a história parece recomeçar. A colónia neste planeta é constituída pelos sobreviventes da tripulação da nave colonial, que avariou na sua órbita. Os futuros colonos morreram em hibernação. Na superfície, os sobreviventes dividem-se em dois campos rivais, e adaptam-se a um ecossistema alienígena, que também tem os seus mistérios. A relação com aldebaran é feita quando se descobre que a misteriosa criatura aldebaraniana envia regularmente mensagens para o espaço, e Betelgeuse é um dos seus alvos. Uma expedição é organizada para investigar isto, bem como perceber o que terá acontecido à nave colonial cujo contacto foi perdido.
Estes estão guardados para outra nova saga, Betelgeuse. Aqui, a história parece recomeçar. A colónia neste planeta é constituída pelos sobreviventes da tripulação da nave colonial, que avariou na sua órbita. Os futuros colonos morreram em hibernação. Na superfície, os sobreviventes dividem-se em dois campos rivais, e adaptam-se a um ecossistema alienígena, que também tem os seus mistérios. A relação com aldebaran é feita quando se descobre que a misteriosa criatura aldebaraniana envia regularmente mensagens para o espaço, e Betelgeuse é um dos seus alvos. Uma expedição é organizada para investigar isto, bem como perceber o que terá acontecido à nave colonial cujo contacto foi perdido.
June 5, 2020
The final part of the Aldebaran storyline and the beginning of the Betelgeuse arc are combined into one book. The Aldebaran heroes encounter the creature they have been searching for since they witnessed the weird phenomena at the start of their quest. The climax is satisfying with all the heroes rewarded for their moral persistence. Pretty standard heroes' journey with a twist.
In Betelgeuse, a new group of survivors is introduced and we get to see similar themes of power and control over a society that has regressed. This one though takes place in a much more exotic setting and the mysteries are even deeper and pulpier than the first story arc.
In Betelgeuse, a new group of survivors is introduced and we get to see similar themes of power and control over a society that has regressed. This one though takes place in a much more exotic setting and the mysteries are even deeper and pulpier than the first story arc.
June 7, 2023
The best one yet. First half of the volume concludes the Aldebaran storyline pretty satisfactorily, and the second half presents the first part of Betelgeuse saga. All new world, new characters and creatures, Kim's back, Mark's gone. Looking pretty good so far. But wait, there's a new blond astronaut guy with freckles, pesting around Kim. That poor woman just can't get a break.
February 7, 2021
Début. D'une longue saga.
June 24, 2022
See volume one for comments.
This volume contains the final part of the Aldebaran series and the first part of the Betelgeuse series, which are linked by one character.
This volume contains the final part of the Aldebaran series and the first part of the Betelgeuse series, which are linked by one character.
June 28, 2022
Not much of an ending. Not sure what other people see in this series. Will read the remaining parts too just because I have them, but not expecting wonders.
January 11, 2021
Great story and the start of another one. Leo as a great imagination...
July 17, 2016
This is the third volume in Leo's The Worlds of Aldebaran saga, published in the UK by Cinebook, and contains the final album in the Aldebaran cycle - The Creature - and the first album in the Betelgeuse cycle - The Betelgeuse Planet.
The former continues directly from the previous volume, Aldebaran: The Group , and follows the ensemble cast of characters, which the previous four albums/chapters have established, bringing the fate of Aldebaran to a culmination and answering some (if far from all) questions concerning the Mantris.
The Betelgeuse Planet, divided into three parts, introduces a new cast of characters, colonisers from Earth on a planet in the Betelgeuse system: in the first part, Mai Lan (and her alien (animal?) friends the Iums, the not so nice Colonel Donovan, and Leilah and Toshiro; and, in the second, Hector and Inge, colonisers who have just now awakened from hibernation alone on a space ship. But, in the third part, the question of Betelgeuse, another colonial project gone awry, with loss of contact with Earth, generates interest from the group of main characters from the first cycle, and Kim in particular is sent as part of a mission to Betelgeuse, to find out what has happened.
Leo's handling of characters and plot is still exquisite, and the art continues to do a fine job with regards to storytelling.
All in all, I thought the ending of the first cycle delivered a satisfying extended narrative, and the opening of the second cycle promises a continuation well worth following.
The former continues directly from the previous volume, Aldebaran: The Group , and follows the ensemble cast of characters, which the previous four albums/chapters have established, bringing the fate of Aldebaran to a culmination and answering some (if far from all) questions concerning the Mantris.
The Betelgeuse Planet, divided into three parts, introduces a new cast of characters, colonisers from Earth on a planet in the Betelgeuse system: in the first part, Mai Lan (and her alien (animal?) friends the Iums, the not so nice Colonel Donovan, and Leilah and Toshiro; and, in the second, Hector and Inge, colonisers who have just now awakened from hibernation alone on a space ship. But, in the third part, the question of Betelgeuse, another colonial project gone awry, with loss of contact with Earth, generates interest from the group of main characters from the first cycle, and Kim in particular is sent as part of a mission to Betelgeuse, to find out what has happened.
Leo's handling of characters and plot is still exquisite, and the art continues to do a fine job with regards to storytelling.
All in all, I thought the ending of the first cycle delivered a satisfying extended narrative, and the opening of the second cycle promises a continuation well worth following.
August 12, 2013
The group's starting to bug me now, I think. The wide-eyed naivete is very, very off-putting, just barely balanced out by the scope and fantasy elements; I've never met so many characters in one story that so badly needed a smack in the face and / or a kick in the butt. Protagonists and antagonists alike.
Hopefully, it'll get better as we proceed... as long as everyone gets a grip. I mean, sweet and everything, but come on, people. It isn't some picnic you're on.
i do appreciate the realism, though - other than the people, everything else makes sense, fits the world it's in, and is decently grand / epic / vast to be impressive, both intellectually and visual-imaginarily.
Hopefully, it'll get better as we proceed... as long as everyone gets a grip. I mean, sweet and everything, but come on, people. It isn't some picnic you're on.
i do appreciate the realism, though - other than the people, everything else makes sense, fits the world it's in, and is decently grand / epic / vast to be impressive, both intellectually and visual-imaginarily.
August 11, 2022
Recent Reads: Aldebaran - The Creature. The final volume of the first cycle of Leo's ecological SF BD wraps up the story of the titular waterworld, as contact with home is made. All is change. Then it's on to the first part of the second cycle, set on a desert world, Betelgeuse.
December 23, 2013
Started to kind of ignore the characters. Neither the visual style of the characters, nor their behavior are really likeable. But I still like the overall story.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews