Title: Grandville
Author: Bryan Talbot
First published October 6, 2005
98 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781595823977 (ISBN10: 1595823972)
Rating: 3.83
Overview
Kendrick Ashwood has always been haunted by a premonition that foretold his baby brother’s death while serving with the Alpha Unit. But as centuries pass and Keelan is still alive, Kendrick begins to believe that his prayers have been answered.
However, when tragedy strikes and his brother is taken away from him, Kendrick will stop at nothing to find out who could harm his only family. Along the way, he meets Anne Bennett, who was meant to be Keelan’s mate but begins to suspect that she was never truly destined for him.
As they race to uncover the truth behind the black magic that has taken Keelan’s soul, Kendrick realizes that he has found his own mate in Anne. With the paranormal world on the brink of chaos, Kendrick must protect his own mate and uncover the dreadful truth behind the necklaces.
About the Author
Richard Talbot began his foray into comics during the underground comix movement of the late 1960s. His first illustrations were published in Mallorn, a magazine for the British Tolkien Society, in 1969.
He went on to create a weekly comic strip for his college newspaper in 1972 and continued producing work for the underground comix scene after graduating.
One of his notable works is The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, which began in 1978 and was one of the first British graphic novels. Talbot also provided art for 2000 AD’s serials in the 1980s, including Nemesis the Warlock, Judge Dredd, and Sláine.
Talbot’s The Tale of One Bad Rat deals with the sensitive topic of recovery from childhood sexual abuse. He later moved to the American market and worked on titles such as Hellblazer, Sandman, and Batman for DC Comics.
He also illustrated cards for the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game.
In recent years, Talbot has worked on Bill Willingham’s Fables and returned to the Luther Arkwright universe with Heart of Empire. He also wrote and drew Cherubs!, a supernatural comedy-adventure.
Talbot’s upcoming work includes a detective steampunk thriller, a sequel to his 2009 graphic novel Grandville. The new book is planned to be the first in a series of four or five graphic novels.
In 2007, he released Alice in Sunderland, which explores the connections between Lewis Carroll, Alice Liddell, and the Sunderland and Wearside area. Talbot also wrote Metronome, an existential and erotically-charged visual poem, under the pseudonym Véronique Tanaka.
He later revealed that he was the author in 2009.
Editoral Review
Bryan Talbot’s Grandville is a fascinating work of graphic fiction that merges steampunk art and detective noir into a thrilling adventure that is both genre-defying and imaginative. This book is set in an alternate universe where France is a dominant world power that is known as the Grandville, and it features a cast of anthropomorphic animals that invoke the spirit of classic crime novels.
Bryan Talbot’s beautiful artwork combines realism and caricature to create a stunning visual representation of the story, which is exquisitely told with skillful attention to detail and character development. The story is set in a Parisian tale that is marred by political intrigue and a looming danger that threatens the entire Grandville.
Detective LeBrock, a British badger, is tasked with solving the murder of a prominent politician, which catapults him into the heart of a conspiracy that involves the highest levels of government. Alongside him is his sidekick, Detective Ratzi, a French rat who serves as the perfect foil to LeBrock’s no-nonsense personality.
The book’s plotting is tight, and the mystery kept me hooked until the very end. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to strike a balance between its unique setting and its classical story structure.
The book’s alternate universe is incredibly immersive, and Bryan Talbot captures Paris with stunning accuracy that is both familiar and alien at the same time. The characters, too, are imbued with rich personalities, each with their unique goals and motivations.
The book’s themes, which include political intrigue, power dynamics, and racism, provide ample food for thought wrapped up in an entertaining story. One area where Grandville excels is in its attention to detail.
The artwork is lush and detailed, every panel bursting with vibrant colors and intricate patterns that invite the viewer to linger over them. The dialogue is naturalistic and doesn’t feel shoehorned into the story, which allows the characters to breathe and have their personalities shine through.
However, at times the pacing can feel a little slow, especially during lengthy exposition-heavy scenes, but this is a minor quibble in the grander scope of the book. In conclusion, Grandville is a stunning work of graphic fiction that merges steampunk and detective noir in a beautifully crafted story.
Bryan Talbot’s artwork is masterful, and his characters are richly drawn with skillful attention to detail. The book’s themes are relevant to our world today, and the story’s setting showcases a unique take on an alternate France.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves great storytelling, immersive art, and a blend of genres. Grandville is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Washington Post gives this book a 4.5/5 rating.