My review of Le Bras d'Orion
May 10, 2016 20:37:05 GMT -5
Roquefort Raider, berkley, and 2 more like this
Post by shaxper on May 10, 2016 20:37:05 GMT -5
sigh.
I finished it tonight. I miss it already.
So here's the lowdown, for those of you considering checking this volume out. First off, the concept is truly unique. Though the first half of the story borrows from a variety of sources possibly including The Incal, Firefly, Joseph Campell's Hero Monomyth, and even the Christian New Testament, it goes in some truly fascinating original directions by the close, as we have a protagonist who, presented with the opportunity to deliver the obligatory vengeance against the bad guy who ruined his life in the origin story, must pause and instead consider the larger ramifications for the forces conspiring around them on both a galactic and theological level. Really heavy stuff. And how unique to have a Han Solo/Malcolm Reynolds type of space rogue who is also deeply religious and highly concerned with ethics.
I don't think anyone has ever tried to tell a story like this before, and it's clearly meticulously considered.
Beyond that, the visuals -- THE VISUALS!
Beyond even the art, this work intrigued me throughout, sparked my imagination wildly, made me care, and even had me crying aloud at one point I won't ruin for you folks. In contrast, there are moments where the characterization and dialogue fall a tad flat, though I suspect this is due more to the English translation than the source material itself. Truly though, were this book not produced by our very own Roquefort Raider, it still would have wowed me, and I'd still be talking about it here right now.
I truly cannot wait for the next volume, and I think anyone with $16 to spare should be checking this thing out. You can order it here. It is in French (or at least Canadian French, right? I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere...), but you'll receive an electronic version translated in English as well, which is primarily what I read.
Finally, in full disclosure, I was paid off for this review. I got this awesome sketch in my copy of the book:
Ben, you are so damned talented. My second greatest wish is that you don't become too famous so that we can keep you around here full time. My greatest wish is the exact opposite.
I finished it tonight. I miss it already.
So here's the lowdown, for those of you considering checking this volume out. First off, the concept is truly unique. Though the first half of the story borrows from a variety of sources possibly including The Incal, Firefly, Joseph Campell's Hero Monomyth, and even the Christian New Testament, it goes in some truly fascinating original directions by the close, as we have a protagonist who, presented with the opportunity to deliver the obligatory vengeance against the bad guy who ruined his life in the origin story, must pause and instead consider the larger ramifications for the forces conspiring around them on both a galactic and theological level. Really heavy stuff. And how unique to have a Han Solo/Malcolm Reynolds type of space rogue who is also deeply religious and highly concerned with ethics.
I don't think anyone has ever tried to tell a story like this before, and it's clearly meticulously considered.
Beyond that, the visuals -- THE VISUALS!
Beyond even the art, this work intrigued me throughout, sparked my imagination wildly, made me care, and even had me crying aloud at one point I won't ruin for you folks. In contrast, there are moments where the characterization and dialogue fall a tad flat, though I suspect this is due more to the English translation than the source material itself. Truly though, were this book not produced by our very own Roquefort Raider, it still would have wowed me, and I'd still be talking about it here right now.
I truly cannot wait for the next volume, and I think anyone with $16 to spare should be checking this thing out. You can order it here. It is in French (or at least Canadian French, right? I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere...), but you'll receive an electronic version translated in English as well, which is primarily what I read.
Finally, in full disclosure, I was paid off for this review. I got this awesome sketch in my copy of the book:
Ben, you are so damned talented. My second greatest wish is that you don't become too famous so that we can keep you around here full time. My greatest wish is the exact opposite.
