The authors were able to successfully put the framework (and many details) of the original epic novel into a typical - even short- graphic novel. The swap for 19th century France with a futuristic African landed gentry class was a believable and stylish choice. The Count on the cover is representative of much of the novel, for good and bad. Several of the fashions were great, the glaring exception being the few women (drawn even more curvaceous than Barbie and Lara Croft combined) wearing generic bikinis or small unitards with some straps and a cape - not believable in the political or fashion universe. A heartbreaking waste with so many strong African fashion centers as inspiration. Most of the pages were as busy as the cover. In many instances this built the universe (which I loved) but could have been used to help drive the complex story without relying on text. Beyond the story some of the pages felt a bit rushed - lines were shakier, details indistinct. Noticeable only in comparison to cleaner pages. I'd be interested to see independent works by the author and illustrator, in case some of the choices were tied to the original novel or its publication.
by Ayize Jama-Everett
illustrated by Tristan Roach
2.5-3 stars
The authors were able to successfully put the framework (and many details) of the original epic novel into a typical - even short- graphic novel. The swap for 19th century France with a futuristic African landed gentry class was a believable and stylish choice. The Count on the cover is representative of much of the novel, for good and bad.
Several of the fashions were great, the glaring exception being the few women (drawn even more curvaceous than Barbie and Lara Croft combined) wearing generic bikinis or small unitards with some straps and a cape - not believable in the political or fashion universe. A heartbreaking waste with so many strong African fashion centers as inspiration.
Most of the pages were as busy as the cover. In many instances this built the universe (which I loved) but could have been used to help drive the complex story without relying on text. Beyond the story some of the pages felt a bit rushed - lines were shakier, details indistinct. Noticeable only in comparison to cleaner pages.
I'd be interested to see independent works by the author and illustrator, in case some of the choices were tied to the original novel or its publication.