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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
I will be honest- I was pretty confused by this book. Still not sure I understand completely what happened. Very pretty illustrations though.
The art and lettering was kinda messy and disorganized while the story was a little too all over the place. Not my favorite.
Well, this is a pirate future set sometime in the past with modern day ideas like putting wheels on a boat. There is a mystical myth about mermaids who protect these skulls and one was stolen. It is evil and trying to escape and Walker must return the Skull against all odds to save the world and his grandfather.
It has a lot going for it and the artwork is lovely - really splendid. Yet, with everything else, I didn't totally connect with the book. It was enough to keep me going with the story and there were some fun and interesting albeit far-fetched ideas. Still, some little thing was missing. I don't know what really.
I think it will be enjoyed by anyone into adventure and pirate stories who enjoy those things.
It has a lot going for it and the artwork is lovely - really splendid. Yet, with everything else, I didn't totally connect with the book. It was enough to keep me going with the story and there were some fun and interesting albeit far-fetched ideas. Still, some little thing was missing. I don't know what really.
I think it will be enjoyed by anyone into adventure and pirate stories who enjoy those things.
A graphic novel for kids with really great artwork and a really neat mythological-style story. Really surprisingly great, especially since bad lettering in a comic (its one flaw) can really turn me off for good.
Mixed feelings about this. I do enjoy the story but the plotline is nothing new and there are some loopholes. What I like about it is that it reminds me to start reading Treasure Island, 20000 Leagues Under the Sea or any of HG Wells' stories. 2.5 stars.
The Unsinkable Walker Bean by Aaron Renier begins with a tale of how Atlantis sunk at the hands of a pair of sea witches. Now all these centuries later it appears that the story is true and Walker Bean's grandfather is suffering from their curse. Walker has to return a cursed skull to hopefully free him from a paranormal illness.
Walker Bean apparently lives in an alternate Earth version of the seventeenth or possibly eighteenth century. There's a world map included in the book and while the landforms are familiar, the names are not. I found this unexplained map disconcerting; it would have been just as easy (or perhaps easier) to not have to think about Walker's adventures in the context of an alternate Earth. It doesn't add anything to the story.
Besides the curses and the sea witches, there's a strange eight legged man who is scurrying after Walker. I swear I've seen him somewhere else but I can't think of where right now. In the context of this graphic novel, he was just one more "what-the-heck" element. Why does he have so many legs and what is his motivation?
A lot of weird stuff happens in this first volume that should be explained but isn't. I don't mean pages and pages of exposition, a simple one line of dialogue would do just find. As it stands, though, I had to re-read sections hoping I had missed something only to find that things happened just because. A little randomness if fine but a whole book of it leaves me not wanting to pick up volume two.
I read this graphic novel as a judge for the Cybils.
Walker Bean apparently lives in an alternate Earth version of the seventeenth or possibly eighteenth century. There's a world map included in the book and while the landforms are familiar, the names are not. I found this unexplained map disconcerting; it would have been just as easy (or perhaps easier) to not have to think about Walker's adventures in the context of an alternate Earth. It doesn't add anything to the story.
Besides the curses and the sea witches, there's a strange eight legged man who is scurrying after Walker. I swear I've seen him somewhere else but I can't think of where right now. In the context of this graphic novel, he was just one more "what-the-heck" element. Why does he have so many legs and what is his motivation?
A lot of weird stuff happens in this first volume that should be explained but isn't. I don't mean pages and pages of exposition, a simple one line of dialogue would do just find. As it stands, though, I had to re-read sections hoping I had missed something only to find that things happened just because. A little randomness if fine but a whole book of it leaves me not wanting to pick up volume two.
I read this graphic novel as a judge for the Cybils.
I picked this up for my nine year old son, and found myself drawn to the wonderful art and intriguing story, so in the end I nicked it from him and read it myself. Walker Bean's beloved grandfather is horribly ill. He made the mistake of looking into the eyes of the pearl skull, stolen from the hoard of the hideous merwitches who destroyed Atlantis. The skull must be returned, but only young Walker is willing to do so. The skull is stolen! There's a sea-battle! Walker stows away on a pirate ship. Pursued by the mysterious Doctor, the Royal Navy and the merwitches themselves! Can his determination and the odd crazy invention hello him fight through to save his grandfather?
This is just so damn good. Writer artist is clearly influence by Tintin, Where's Wally and a host of others, he also reminded me of Richard Sala, especially with his willingness to go full on ghastly with the nightmarish merwitches. It's a cracking read, thrilling and fascinating, with brilliant characters and an ending that goes from a jaw-droppingly epic set-piece reversal to a quietly moving funeral at sea. Highly, highly recommended
This is just so damn good. Writer artist is clearly influence by Tintin, Where's Wally and a host of others, he also reminded me of Richard Sala, especially with his willingness to go full on ghastly with the nightmarish merwitches. It's a cracking read, thrilling and fascinating, with brilliant characters and an ending that goes from a jaw-droppingly epic set-piece reversal to a quietly moving funeral at sea. Highly, highly recommended