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shanaqui's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I'm not entirely sure what to make of some of the very positive reviews of Britannia. I really didn't get along with it, but I guess it's a matter of taste. Personally, I found that it was very heavy on male-gazey stuff (did we really need to see multiple terrified naked or near-naked women? methinks someone's kink is on show), and while the art tells the story well, it wasn't a style I really enjoyed, and sometimes I had trouble telling the characters apart.
As far as the plot goes... well. I'm very eyebrow-raise-y about the concept of the Vestal Virgins having a special codex that mostly teaches you how to be Sherlock Holmes (but has maybe a few magical effects as well? hard to tell how seriously to take those screens and whether there's some metaphors going on there). Referring to Antonius as the "detectioner" just... cringe. I cringed deep in my soul.
And it didn't feel totally coherent, to be honest. What is Orkus exactly? How are the different manifestations related? Obviously these are questions that might well be answered in later volumes, but I just wasn't sure of the ground we're starting from.
Overall, there are some bits here that could've been intriguing, but in the end, not for me. I won't continue reading the series.
As far as the plot goes... well. I'm very eyebrow-raise-y about the concept of the Vestal Virgins having a special codex that mostly teaches you how to be Sherlock Holmes (but has maybe a few magical effects as well? hard to tell how seriously to take those screens and whether there's some metaphors going on there). Referring to Antonius as the "detectioner" just... cringe. I cringed deep in my soul.
And it didn't feel totally coherent, to be honest. What is Orkus exactly? How are the different manifestations related? Obviously these are questions that might well be answered in later volumes, but I just wasn't sure of the ground we're starting from.
Overall, there are some bits here that could've been intriguing, but in the end, not for me. I won't continue reading the series.
ogreart's review
4.0
A different kind of fantasy story. I liked the Roman setting and the historical research that went into this. It felt very believable in many respects. The art worked well with the story. I enjoyed this.
elderkinhv's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kyrilson's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
adsyllata's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
storyorc's review
3.0
Falco remains the Roman detective to beat but Britannia's Antonius is an acceptable runner-up. Despite eldritch horror, druid warfare, and the rare opportunity to see the English playing the underdogs in a story, the true bright spark is Rubria and her Vestal Virgins. They operate as an elite political faction with a dash of magic. Seeing Rubria go toe-to-toe with a delightfully-disgusting Nero, Roman misogyny, and basic human decency to pull strings for their chosen champion 'detectioner' in the field is a treat.
If book two has more of the Virgins and the same brilliantly-detailed art, I can overlook an unremarkable protagonist and heavy male gaze. Less BBC Sherlock style deduction would be a benefit though - at one point Antonius (correctly!) concludes that someone must have erectile dysfunction because he looks tired.
If book two has more of the Virgins and the same brilliantly-detailed art, I can overlook an unremarkable protagonist and heavy male gaze. Less BBC Sherlock style deduction would be a benefit though - at one point Antonius (correctly!) concludes that someone must have erectile dysfunction because he looks tired.
brenticus's review
4.0
I don't really know what I expected when I checked this out, but that was a wild ride I wasn't expecting. The story was intriguing, the art was great, Nero killed an appropriate number of people for no clear reason. Very solid comic so far.
yonnyan's review
2.0
When I initially saw the cover for [b:Britannia|32478893|Britannia|Peter Milligan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476044484s/32478893.jpg|53069642]--written by Peter Milligan and illustrated by Juan José Ryp--I knew that I absolutely had to read this trade paperback graphic novel. It screamed "Imperial Rome," which is a subject that I'm immensely fascinated by. It's actually pretty hard not to be intrigued by something that explores the Roman invasion of the Isle of Britannia with a mash-up of the majestic Gods and Goddesses, the primal power of nature that's known as Druidism, and tons of blood to be worthy of a Roman tale. However, it saddens me to say that the execution of this title was less than desirable.
[b:Britannia|32478893|Britannia|Peter Milligan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476044484s/32478893.jpg|53069642] revolves around the legionnaire, Antonius Axia, and how he becomes the first detective of Rome. Convinced by the head of the Vestal Virgins to save one of their own from a ritual sacrifice, Axia is shanghaied into a very bloody and slightly disturbing situation. The story then flashes forward about five years where he is established as the First Detective. An event from his past arises, and he sets off to Britannia to conquer a Devil long-forgotten.
The very first thing that I noticed about the comic was the art-style. It brilliantly captures the brutality of the time period and the visceral nature that Ancient Rome is famous for. The contrasting panels between Imperial Rome and the primitive nature of Britannia are stunningly encomiastic to the overall setting and atmosphere for the story. With each issue's finale, the reader is provided with a small blurb regarding some historical information that offers more insight into the lore that creates the foundation for the tale of [b:Britannia|32478893|Britannia|Peter Milligan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476044484s/32478893.jpg|53069642].
Fantastic artwork is a wonderful thing, but in the end it's nothing more than just eye-porn if you don't have the writing to back it up, which is the case for [b:Britannia|32478893|Britannia|Peter Milligan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476044484s/32478893.jpg|53069642]. The story ended up feeling horribly rushed, unevenly paced, and quite forced. There were moments where I honestly felt as if Milligan tossed a bunch of facets from the Ancient world into a blender and the resulting hot-mess became our primary plot. With such intelligent artwork and the compelling notion, I expected far more. It deserved plenty of attention to detail and more fleshed out storytelling.
If you're a fan of Roman history, or Druid mythos, then you may want to take a look at this comic (mostly for the artwork). Aside from the drawings, there really isn't much here to hold your attention, or provide you with any sort of cohesive reading experience.
2 virgins outta 5!
[b:Britannia|32478893|Britannia|Peter Milligan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476044484s/32478893.jpg|53069642] revolves around the legionnaire, Antonius Axia, and how he becomes the first detective of Rome. Convinced by the head of the Vestal Virgins to save one of their own from a ritual sacrifice, Axia is shanghaied into a very bloody and slightly disturbing situation. The story then flashes forward about five years where he is established as the First Detective. An event from his past arises, and he sets off to Britannia to conquer a Devil long-forgotten.
The very first thing that I noticed about the comic was the art-style. It brilliantly captures the brutality of the time period and the visceral nature that Ancient Rome is famous for. The contrasting panels between Imperial Rome and the primitive nature of Britannia are stunningly encomiastic to the overall setting and atmosphere for the story. With each issue's finale, the reader is provided with a small blurb regarding some historical information that offers more insight into the lore that creates the foundation for the tale of [b:Britannia|32478893|Britannia|Peter Milligan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476044484s/32478893.jpg|53069642].
Fantastic artwork is a wonderful thing, but in the end it's nothing more than just eye-porn if you don't have the writing to back it up, which is the case for [b:Britannia|32478893|Britannia|Peter Milligan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476044484s/32478893.jpg|53069642]. The story ended up feeling horribly rushed, unevenly paced, and quite forced. There were moments where I honestly felt as if Milligan tossed a bunch of facets from the Ancient world into a blender and the resulting hot-mess became our primary plot. With such intelligent artwork and the compelling notion, I expected far more. It deserved plenty of attention to detail and more fleshed out storytelling.
If you're a fan of Roman history, or Druid mythos, then you may want to take a look at this comic (mostly for the artwork). Aside from the drawings, there really isn't much here to hold your attention, or provide you with any sort of cohesive reading experience.
2 virgins outta 5!
lavalentinois's review
4.0
Britannia is an astonishing graphic novel written by one of the most famous comic masterminds Peter Milligan (the author of X- Men, Justice League, Hellblazer, Red Lanterns, X-Statix and many more) in collaboration with a jaw dropping artist Juan José Ryp (Clone, The Multiversity,...).
Britannia follows the story of a Roman war hero Antonius Axia, who has been trained by the Vestal Virgins to see beyond the obvious. As he travels to Britannia to investigate the unexplained occurences at the battle front he faces and old enemy and some new ones.
I truly, completely and utterly enjoyed this graphic novel! It had everything I like in a graphic novel: witty and multidimensional characters, a well branched out plot, a somewhat believable villain(s) and amazing art.
I really like the fact that at the end of every issue there was a text describing the historical figures or organizations, which were very informational and could provide a better insight in the interaction of the characters.
I find the main character was really amazing, which surprised me because I mostly think the main characters are annoying or simply boring and plat. Antonius was intelligent and courageous, he was troubled by his past and that was shown quite truthfully though his actions.
In conclusion, I would recommend this graphic novel to anyone who enjoys historical and mystery graphic novels, but also to anyone else who is a the moment getting into them.
I received this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.
Britannia follows the story of a Roman war hero Antonius Axia, who has been trained by the Vestal Virgins to see beyond the obvious. As he travels to Britannia to investigate the unexplained occurences at the battle front he faces and old enemy and some new ones.
I truly, completely and utterly enjoyed this graphic novel! It had everything I like in a graphic novel: witty and multidimensional characters, a well branched out plot, a somewhat believable villain(s) and amazing art.
I really like the fact that at the end of every issue there was a text describing the historical figures or organizations, which were very informational and could provide a better insight in the interaction of the characters.
I find the main character was really amazing, which surprised me because I mostly think the main characters are annoying or simply boring and plat. Antonius was intelligent and courageous, he was troubled by his past and that was shown quite truthfully though his actions.
In conclusion, I would recommend this graphic novel to anyone who enjoys historical and mystery graphic novels, but also to anyone else who is a the moment getting into them.
I received this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.
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