Grandville
Posted in Other Comics on 30. Jul, 2010
- ISBN13: 9781595823977
- Condition: New
- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
$7.74
Product Description
Two hundred years ago, Britain lost the Napoleonic War and fell under the thumb of French domination. Gaining independence after decades of civil disobedience and anarchist bombings, the Socialist Republic of Britain is now a small, unimportant backwater connected by a railway bridge, steam-powered dirigible, and mutual suspicion to France. When a British diplomat is murdered to look like suicide, ferocious Detective-Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard stalks a ruthless murder squad through the heart of a Belle Epoque Paris, the center of the greatest empire in a world of steam-driven hansom cabs, automatons, and flying machines. LeBrock's relentless quest can lead only to death, truth... or war.
Grandville
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“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.
Rating: 5 / 5
the story is a decent steampunk mystery set in alternative france, pictures are gorgeous.
the book is very nice. glossy paper, beautiful harcover, high quality comics book as it deserves. dark horse is a great publisher.
Rating: 5 / 5
Bryon Talbot is a writer and artist known for his almost manic attention to detail, both in story and illustration. With “Grandville”, he gives us a new storyline and presents it with a flourish. This anthropomorphic steampunk science fiction romance drama adventure conspiracy thriller (yes, it really is) weaves all sorts of references to pop culture with a briskly moving storyline and artwork so detailed, you risk falling into the pages. There are a few nods to other works, such as “Snowy Milou” recalling his dreams that hint strongly to his doppleganger’s adventures in “Tintin”, Rupert the Bear’s father trimming the hedges, a poster for Omaha the Cat Dancer in the background of a theater, even some 9/11 style conspiracy theories and a reference to CNN thrown in for good measure.
Mr. Talbot says he’s working on a sequel, and may even make a series out of this. Please do so, Mr. Talbot! Your works are so lavish and detailed, I can become lost in them.
Rating: 5 / 5
All you need is one glance at this book & you know it’s going to be a sleek & entertaining ride. The story is creatively enthralling as is Mr. Talbot’s wonderful art. This isn’t the mainstream super hero fare & that’s why it works so perfectly. “Grandville” is an instant classic! I’d highly recommend this one to fan’s of Alan Moore’s Promethea series, Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo, or Image Comics’ Mice Templar.
Rating: 5 / 5
I came across Grandville by chance in a book store while browsing the graphic novel section and instantly fascinated by its wonderful artwork, brilliant anthropomorphic characters and steampunk Victorian setting. I love a good mystery and detective stories are certainly my thing. I had to have it!
A heroic badger Inspector LeBrock and his sidekick Roderick investigate the death of a British diplomat who appears to have been murdered by a group of French conspirators. In this alternate-history Napoleon (a lion) successfully invaded Britain but begrudgingly gave it up after anarchist attacks. LeBrock’s case leads him deep into a mire of deceit and political power-plays that mirror many modern day events such as the 9/11 terror attacks and the mess of the Iraq war.
Only a muscle-bound badass badger cop can save the day.
Grandville is nothing if not ambitious, and yet it pulls off everything with ease. It seamlessly blends the alternate history, steampunk, detective and furry genres. Bryan Talbot glides from scene to scene with not a single extraneous panel.
The book is printed in a lovely, tall hardback with colourful, glossy pages. It’s definitely a keeper and I strongly recommend it to any and all comic-book and graphic novel enthusiasts. I eagerly await the sequel “Grandville Mon Amour”.
Rating: 5 / 5