Scan barcode
fitsee's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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
3.0
Pros
- Great Art Design
- Interesting Premise
- Interesting Characters
- Pretty Easy to Follow
Cons
- Felt Rushed at Times
wyrmdog's review against another edition
3.0
So much better than the first Aphrodite IX outing I can't even say. The art is stunning and the prurient feel of the first collection is gone. It's got its sexy moments but there is little included purely for fan-service.
That said, I dislike the general portrayal of the two nations depicted in this story. One is slightly nuanced but mostly sympathetic which is fine in and of itself. Problematically the other is essentially a nation of mustache-twirling villains with little nuance, Aphrodite's internal monologue not withstanding. It's too bad because it comes off like the author passing ham-fisted judgment about what's good and bad, even though I'm fairly certain he isn't. The story would have been a lot stronger if both sides had been treated with a bit more respect.
Near the end, some of this is rectified, but the pacing here is awful. One page per country in 2-page snippets. It rushes headlong toward the moments of the last couple pages which are at once predictable but just plain fun. The final page in particular evokes happiness due to its acceptance of being a cyberpunk superhero comic.
I'm glad I gave this sequel a chance (I knew with Stjepan drawing the art problems from the previous outing would be handled, so I figured I was safe). I think I'll be back for more.
Aphrodite IX has redeemed herself.
P.S. Helen was my favorite character. Don't ask me why.
That said, I dislike the general portrayal of the two nations depicted in this story. One is slightly nuanced but mostly sympathetic which is fine in and of itself. Problematically the other is essentially a nation of mustache-twirling villains with little nuance, Aphrodite's internal monologue not withstanding. It's too bad because it comes off like the author passing ham-fisted judgment about what's good and bad, even though I'm fairly certain he isn't. The story would have been a lot stronger if both sides had been treated with a bit more respect.
Near the end, some of this is rectified, but the pacing here is awful. One page per country in 2-page snippets. It rushes headlong toward the moments of the last couple pages which are at once predictable but just plain fun. The final page in particular evokes happiness due to its acceptance of being a cyberpunk superhero comic.
I'm glad I gave this sequel a chance (I knew with Stjepan drawing the art problems from the previous outing would be handled, so I figured I was safe). I think I'll be back for more.
Aphrodite IX has redeemed herself.
P.S. Helen was my favorite character. Don't ask me why.
zombiecupcake29's review against another edition
2.0
I’m not really sure what to say about this graphic novel. It was okay but there wasn’t really anything about it that blew me away. I believe the premise was good but it needed a little something more for me to be enthralled.
trans_ishtar's review against another edition
2.0
As a student of biotechnology, I loved the idea of cybernetics and genetic engineering. I feel like the story had potential but somehow it had gone astray. The plot deserves 1 star.
The art on the other hand didn't disappoint (much). I'm a big fan of Stjepan Sejic and his art/comics, the only problem is that all the characters look like they came from Planet Perfect and have the same body type. What's up with that?
The art on the other hand didn't disappoint (much). I'm a big fan of Stjepan Sejic and his art/comics, the only problem is that all the characters look like they came from Planet Perfect and have the same body type. What's up with that?
manbrarian's review against another edition
3.0
In all honestly, I picked this up almost entirely because it was illustrated by Stepjan Sejic - of whom I am a huge fan. Sure, the central conflict between the two factions (one that favours genetics, and one that favours cybernetics) was also intriguing - but mostly it was the artist.
So what did I think? Overall I liked it, though the story wasn't anything amazing. I liked many of the ideas more than the actual execution. The characters also weren't anything special, and this unfortunately applies to the titular Aphrodite herself. I found that it was actually some of the more background things that appealed to me more - anything to do with the history of the setting, and the ideology of the two factions and their conflict. Sadly this was a bit thin on the ground. I would also have been interested to get a bit more on the background between Aphrodite and her handler - but maybe that is explored more in the next volume.
Probably my biggest disappointment is that I actually wasn't in love with the art - despite it being my initial draw factor. I actually prefer the more sketchy style Sejic uses in his other works, such as in Death Vigil and his short stint on Rat Queens. Don't get me wrong, much of the art was very lavish, but somehow it just didn't feel right.
All-in-all, it was an enjoyable enough read - and might satisfy someone looking for a sci-fi fix. The story doesn't really go anywhere special, and the characters are not wildly memorable, but it has some pretty art and some world-building potential. That said, I haven't been gripped by a burning desire to grab the next volume (unless the art is more in the style of Sejic's other work).
Tidbits: Stupid green face dot, and Riding awesome dragons.
So what did I think? Overall I liked it, though the story wasn't anything amazing. I liked many of the ideas more than the actual execution. The characters also weren't anything special, and this unfortunately applies to the titular Aphrodite herself. I found that it was actually some of the more background things that appealed to me more - anything to do with the history of the setting, and the ideology of the two factions and their conflict. Sadly this was a bit thin on the ground. I would also have been interested to get a bit more on the background between Aphrodite and her handler - but maybe that is explored more in the next volume.
Probably my biggest disappointment is that I actually wasn't in love with the art - despite it being my initial draw factor. I actually prefer the more sketchy style Sejic uses in his other works, such as in Death Vigil and his short stint on Rat Queens. Don't get me wrong, much of the art was very lavish, but somehow it just didn't feel right.
All-in-all, it was an enjoyable enough read - and might satisfy someone looking for a sci-fi fix. The story doesn't really go anywhere special, and the characters are not wildly memorable, but it has some pretty art and some world-building potential. That said, I haven't been gripped by a burning desire to grab the next volume (unless the art is more in the style of Sejic's other work).
Tidbits: Stupid green face dot, and Riding awesome dragons.
a_h_haga's review against another edition
2.0
I have mixed feelings about this. I originally bought this comic because [a:Stjepan Šejić|617155|Stjepan Šejić|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1367184066p2/617155.jpg] is the artist, and I did love the art, even if it is more digitalised than what I usually like. My problem was with the story/world
I didn't really mind the characters all that much, even if they were a bit stereotypical.
It was, as mentioned above, the story that was my biggest problem. I didn't mind the mix of androids, genetically modified people, dragons, and post-apo, and all that. That somehow worked, to be honest. My problem was that there was so much focus on military words and such. The language used was really heavy for me, and I actually though I might not be able to read the whole thing because of it. A comic was too heavy... Yeah, that's never happened to me before.
So, my final thought of this comic is that it was ok. I liked the premise and was intrigued by the ending of this album, so I am considering buying the next album and giving it a look. I think most of the heavy, military things may be over now. At least I hope so.
I didn't really mind the characters all that much, even if they were a bit stereotypical.
It was, as mentioned above, the story that was my biggest problem. I didn't mind the mix of androids, genetically modified people, dragons, and post-apo, and all that. That somehow worked, to be honest. My problem was that there was so much focus on military words and such. The language used was really heavy for me, and I actually though I might not be able to read the whole thing because of it. A comic was too heavy... Yeah, that's never happened to me before.
So, my final thought of this comic is that it was ok. I liked the premise and was intrigued by the ending of this album, so I am considering buying the next album and giving it a look. I think most of the heavy, military things may be over now. At least I hope so.
harleylecter's review against another edition
2.0
The art is beautiful, the writing is... not. I'm interested enough to read Vol. 2, but I wouldn't spend money on it.
More...