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as_in_crazy's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so this was recommended to me by the lady at my local comic book store around the start of the year, and I'm just now getting to it. Mostly in part because it is my recommendation for this month's meeting of a comic book group I'm a member of. The art was pretty cool though I question some of the character designs. I was easily distracted the first couple of times I attempted to read it but once I gave myself some time to sit down and immerse myself I was hooked. I'm seriously going to have to continue on and read the next volume.
wbfreema's review against another edition
4.0
A very satisfying blue hued tale of ultimate sacrifice set against a Gaiman Neverwhere backdrop. The internal art was a bit cluttered but I could stare at Kevin Wada's beautiful water colored covers all day long. I really hope we see more soon of Doctor Mirage.
grimondgalgmod's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a huge fan of the DC "occult universe" comics from the 90s and this definitely feels as if it belongs with (and is indebted to) titles like Sandman, Hellblazer, and Books of Magic; the only thing missing is the trench coat. Good stuff and the best from Valiant I've read so far.
rltinha's review against another edition
3.0
O cinismo crescente que o peso da idade me proporciona deixa-me pouco apreciadora destas salganhadas dos epíritos e afins.
Dito isto, há aqui arte incrivelmente boa e um enredo que não desilude (desde que devidamente refreados os entusiasmos).
Dito isto, há aqui arte incrivelmente boa e um enredo que não desilude (desde que devidamente refreados os entusiasmos).
crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
4.0
Valiant's answer to DC/Vertigo's [b:Hellblazer, Vol. 1: Original Sins|9041662|Hellblazer, Vol. 1 Original Sins|Jamie Delano|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320397955l/9041662._SY75_.jpg|74043458] is The Death Defying Doctor Mirage, a person who can interact with the dead. Her back story is pretty basic and tropey, but the plot of this volume: that she has been hired to complete a task that will also allow her to get in contact with her deceased husband (who also had supernatural gifts when he was alive), is more focused and human than almost any of the Hellblazer stories.
If you enjoy gothy romance books with a foot in Sandman, and a foot in those early 2000 call in shows where a complete fraud pretended to talk to your dead relatives, then this could be a five star book for you. It's well-paced, emotionally honest story that left me excited for the next volume.
If you enjoy gothy romance books with a foot in Sandman, and a foot in those early 2000 call in shows where a complete fraud pretended to talk to your dead relatives, then this could be a five star book for you. It's well-paced, emotionally honest story that left me excited for the next volume.
carroq's review against another edition
5.0
I was excited to read this book. The title and the cover art piqued my interest immediately. I had a vague notion of what the story was about when I picked it up. For met it hit on all cylinders to deliver a good story.
When we meet the heroine, Shan Fong, she is at a support group. She is there to provide closure for some widows using her ability to speak with the dead. The kicker is that her own husband, Hwen, passed away and she is unable to locate his spirit. When an opportunity that seems too good to be true comes along, Shan Fong is skeptical, but can she pass on something that may result in finding her love?
The story uses a lot of really interesting elements. It is part ghost story, part Greek tragedy, with a little bit of Faust thrown in for good measure. Let's not forget the detective, folk magic, and fairy tale elements either. With all this going on, the story could get a bit muddled. The creators handle it wonderfully though. It is layered really well so that the reader is gradually drawn into this mystical world. Shan Fong's past and relationship with Hwen unfold as the story progresses too.
And the art is fantastic. It took me a while to get used to it though. The style isn't quite as polished as I've seen in other books. It sort of reminds me of Mike Mignola's art on the Hellboy series without being as cartoonish. Anyway, the colors are great. The variety really make the pages pop at times, especially once Shan Fong enters the Deadside. It can go from dark and oppressive to bright and open quickly. The use of the different speech bubbles is a nice touch too. I could identify who was talking at times based on that alone.
This boils down to a supernatural detective story with a love story blended in. It is set in the Valiant universe, but it stands on its own really well.
When we meet the heroine, Shan Fong, she is at a support group. She is there to provide closure for some widows using her ability to speak with the dead. The kicker is that her own husband, Hwen, passed away and she is unable to locate his spirit. When an opportunity that seems too good to be true comes along, Shan Fong is skeptical, but can she pass on something that may result in finding her love?
The story uses a lot of really interesting elements. It is part ghost story, part Greek tragedy, with a little bit of Faust thrown in for good measure. Let's not forget the detective, folk magic, and fairy tale elements either. With all this going on, the story could get a bit muddled. The creators handle it wonderfully though. It is layered really well so that the reader is gradually drawn into this mystical world. Shan Fong's past and relationship with Hwen unfold as the story progresses too.
And the art is fantastic. It took me a while to get used to it though. The style isn't quite as polished as I've seen in other books. It sort of reminds me of Mike Mignola's art on the Hellboy series without being as cartoonish. Anyway, the colors are great. The variety really make the pages pop at times, especially once Shan Fong enters the Deadside. It can go from dark and oppressive to bright and open quickly. The use of the different speech bubbles is a nice touch too. I could identify who was talking at times based on that alone.
This boils down to a supernatural detective story with a love story blended in. It is set in the Valiant universe, but it stands on its own really well.
amyjoy's review against another edition
5.0
I basically loved everything about this! The heroine was an amazing lady of color for whom the romance is already happened before the book starts. There's a fantastic Hero's Journey through the underworld. I think the only thing that could have made this more enjoyable for me is if Shan were lesbian (lesbians make everything better).
tmaluck's review against another edition
5.0
Devoured in one sitting as it repeatedly blew me away.
If any book should be credited for "converting" me to the Valiant universe, it's this one, although it stands on its own perfectly well and is friendly to new readers.
This would be right at home as a crown jewel in any publisher's cap. A standout success.
If any book should be credited for "converting" me to the Valiant universe, it's this one, although it stands on its own perfectly well and is friendly to new readers.
This would be right at home as a crown jewel in any publisher's cap. A standout success.
pmileham's review against another edition
3.0
Reviews and articles that mention this series make it sound like this is a romance book, when really 99% of the focus is on the supernatural. Part ghost movie, part Orpheus, part LotR.
The story and art are good, but nothing memorable yet.
The story and art are good, but nothing memorable yet.