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akrajkow87's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
carroq's review
3.0
The year is 1940 and all the super powered people in the world are members of the royal bloodlines. These are the families that have ruled nations for centuries. They've managed to hide their secrets until one young man can't take the destruction being rained down on his home.
I dig the concept behind this book. It's cool that the superheroes are restricted to this specific group of people, which gives a sort of legitimacy to their rule. The characters felt bland though. There is the well meaning prince that uses his powers to help the common people, his selfish brother that is more interested in drinking and sex than helping anyone, their sister who is mostly forgettable, and their father who will do anything to protect their family.
Some aspects of this book were great, particularly the attempt by the United States to form a group of superheroes to represent themselves along the real powers of the world. This is contrasted by some things that didn't make sense, like why these English princes would abandon the war in Europe to fight in the Pacific. The thing that really kept me from enjoying this book more is that I felt no connection to any of the main characters and had little interest in their role of historic events.
For the most part, I liked the art. I think it captured the feel of the era and went well with the events portrayed. There is a grittiness that plays well with some of the darker aspects of the book.
I dig the concept behind this book. It's cool that the superheroes are restricted to this specific group of people, which gives a sort of legitimacy to their rule. The characters felt bland though. There is the well meaning prince that uses his powers to help the common people, his selfish brother that is more interested in drinking and sex than helping anyone, their sister who is mostly forgettable, and their father who will do anything to protect their family.
Some aspects of this book were great, particularly the attempt by the United States to form a group of superheroes to represent themselves along the real powers of the world. This is contrasted by some things that didn't make sense, like why these English princes would abandon the war in Europe to fight in the Pacific. The thing that really kept me from enjoying this book more is that I felt no connection to any of the main characters and had little interest in their role of historic events.
For the most part, I liked the art. I think it captured the feel of the era and went well with the events portrayed. There is a grittiness that plays well with some of the darker aspects of the book.
spelingexpirt13's review
1.0
The Royals: Masters of War is written by Rob Williams with illustrations by Simon Coleby and colours by J.D Mettler. World War 2 ravages Europe and Hitler is winning, that is until Prince Henry of England intervenes with his royal blood related superpowers. Yep, all the royals have superpowers because they aren’t full of all the privilege already.
Henry broke some pact that all the superpowered royals had not to intervene in the war which leads to chaos (and yawns). In the English royal family we have the King and his wife who has been driven to insanity by her telepathic powers. Their children are Henry, Rose and Arthur, I genuinely had to go and look up their names because despite just finishing this comic I hadn’t taken any of it in because I was too busy being bored to tears. Henry and Arthur have typical flight, strength, eye laser powers while Rose has taken after dear old mum and invented telepathy.
One of the most infuriating parts of this comic for me is that a lot of real historical figures are here, Churchill, Roosevelt, Hitler, Eisenhower, but the royal family is completely made up. If you’re going to make up an entirely new royal family at least throw in more awesome women instead of a whiny daughter that takes second place to her older brothers and a crazy mum who barely appears. All other women in the comic are just there to be seduced by Arthur because he’s a drunken playboy stereotype while Henry is a stiff-upper lip, sexually repressed good boy stereotype. Well except for the incestuous thing he has for Rose, I thought they were married until the first time the comic refers to them as siblings.
For more reviews go to SpExReviews
Henry broke some pact that all the superpowered royals had not to intervene in the war which leads to chaos (and yawns). In the English royal family we have the King and his wife who has been driven to insanity by her telepathic powers. Their children are Henry, Rose and Arthur, I genuinely had to go and look up their names because despite just finishing this comic I hadn’t taken any of it in because I was too busy being bored to tears. Henry and Arthur have typical flight, strength, eye laser powers while Rose has taken after dear old mum and invented telepathy.
One of the most infuriating parts of this comic for me is that a lot of real historical figures are here, Churchill, Roosevelt, Hitler, Eisenhower, but the royal family is completely made up. If you’re going to make up an entirely new royal family at least throw in more awesome women instead of a whiny daughter that takes second place to her older brothers and a crazy mum who barely appears. All other women in the comic are just there to be seduced by Arthur because he’s a drunken playboy stereotype while Henry is a stiff-upper lip, sexually repressed good boy stereotype. Well except for the incestuous thing he has for Rose, I thought they were married until the first time the comic refers to them as siblings.
For more reviews go to SpExReviews
grilledcheesesamurai's review
2.0
I suppose my favorite part of this 6 issue series is the cover art. At least that's what initially led me to this comic.
The premise is sound, only those of royal blood have super powers. The purer the blood line, the stronger the power. The setting of World War II also intrigued me, not to mention the drama and inner struggles of the English family that we follow throughout the series.
Sadly, I wasn't overly wowed with everything when all was said and done. I just didn't feel like the payoff was worth the time invested. There was some great art, like I said, the cover art was what drew me in. The interiors, as well, made me pause and enjoy what was in front of me, however, the story itself just all kind of fell flat for me.
If I could, I would have given this two and a half stars. Three is to high, IMO, so I had to stick it with a two. I just really wish the story itself could have stacked up to the overall premise and the artwork displayed.
jilljemmett's review
4.0
The British royals are not supposed to get involved in WWII. The King doesn't want his sons to fight. This is because all of the royals in the world have special powers. This includes the Emporer of Japan and the Tsar of Russia. Princess Rose of England can read minds and her brothers can fly, as well as shoot lasers from their eyes. The royals end up joining the fight, which leads to many deaths.
I really liked the art in this graphic novel. It is very realistic. The pictures of Winston Churchill were especially good, since I could recognize what he looked like.
The story had a twist on a traditional WWII story since the royal families intervened with their magic powers. I enjoyed this unique story!
I really liked the art in this graphic novel. It is very realistic. The pictures of Winston Churchill were especially good, since I could recognize what he looked like.
The story had a twist on a traditional WWII story since the royal families intervened with their magic powers. I enjoyed this unique story!
civreader's review
3.0
Some interesting stuff and a very promising start. Ultimately failed to live up to promise, though. And some kind of crap ideas, too.
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