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jess_mango's review against another edition
3.0
BOOK RIOT READ HARDER CHALLENGE 2018 - fulfills #15: A one sitting book
steps's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
metrohousing's review against another edition
“we’ll learn after all - who it hurts and how it ends, it all depends on you,” :-(
also all of the reviews on this talking about net neutrality.. every piece of art jonathan coulton makes ages so terribly. incredibly rare to come across an artist with a best before date
also all of the reviews on this talking about net neutrality.. every piece of art jonathan coulton makes ages so terribly. incredibly rare to come across an artist with a best before date
miayukino's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
3.75
mschlat's review against another edition
4.0
So this is the companion graphic novel to Jonathan Coulton's science fiction concept album Solid State (which I've listened to once), but to really do this review justice, I should listen to it again, and read the lyrics, and reread the graphic novel, and that's not going to happen, so here are some quick points....
1) The art by Albert Monteys is stellar. You've got a bit of bigfoot cartooning mixed with excellent giant robots mixed with compelling depictions of the near future. (I love the dodecahedral helmets everyone wears.) At the same time, Monteys' formal structure is off the charts --- it's rare that I see such attention paid to effective panel transitions and full page splashes. Seen just from the design aspects, this is an amazing work.
2) Coulton and Fraction (with help of Monteys) deliver one of the most atmospheric works I've read in awhile. Yes, it's science fiction and a discussion of AI and a depiction of a privacy apocalypse (think of it as a precursor to [b:The Private Eye|26247784|The Private Eye|Brian K. Vaughan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488819224s/26247784.jpg|46242164]), but because of Fraction's willingness to use sparse and often confusing language, the effect is more emotional than informational. I read the work and feel like I'm drifting between exposition and metaphor.
3) As a result, I finished the book fairly unsure of what was going on. I didn't really care that much mind you, but I was left with the sense that had I perused the album more, I would have exited with more understanding.
Highly recommended for fans of science fiction graphic novels who like some ambiguity, even if you don't listen to Jonathan Coulton.
1) The art by Albert Monteys is stellar. You've got a bit of bigfoot cartooning mixed with excellent giant robots mixed with compelling depictions of the near future. (I love the dodecahedral helmets everyone wears.) At the same time, Monteys' formal structure is off the charts --- it's rare that I see such attention paid to effective panel transitions and full page splashes. Seen just from the design aspects, this is an amazing work.
2) Coulton and Fraction (with help of Monteys) deliver one of the most atmospheric works I've read in awhile. Yes, it's science fiction and a discussion of AI and a depiction of a privacy apocalypse (think of it as a precursor to [b:The Private Eye|26247784|The Private Eye|Brian K. Vaughan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488819224s/26247784.jpg|46242164]), but because of Fraction's willingness to use sparse and often confusing language, the effect is more emotional than informational. I read the work and feel like I'm drifting between exposition and metaphor.
3) As a result, I finished the book fairly unsure of what was going on. I didn't really care that much mind you, but I was left with the sense that had I perused the album more, I would have exited with more understanding.
Highly recommended for fans of science fiction graphic novels who like some ambiguity, even if you don't listen to Jonathan Coulton.
crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
3.0
Matt Fraction and Jonathan Coulton's Solid State is a familiar feeling sci-fi adventure. Dystopianish future. Slang has become language. People are isolated and are slaves to their jobs. There are robots. Something goes wrong.
I was really interested in the beginning of this graphic novel. I was curious where the story was going, and [a:Albert Monteys|4819923|Albert Monteys|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s art is fantastic. This would have been a two star review, but his art is flawless, engaging, and the perfect pairing for what this story wants to be.
Unfortunately, just as I was starting to lose interest in the initial characters/scenario, we jump to a different time, with a similar story which will undoubtedly be related to the beginning of the book. I just couldn't invest myself with reading any more.
I love most of Coulton's music, and I'm a big fan of Fraction's work, so I was disappointed to not be into this. If you are a mega-Coulton fan, or you really like sci-fi tropery, this book might be for you. The story isn't challenging, so much as repetitive, and, again, the art is fantastic. Even though I didn't enjoy it, I'm glad I picked it up, so I know to look for more Albert Monteys art.
I was really interested in the beginning of this graphic novel. I was curious where the story was going, and [a:Albert Monteys|4819923|Albert Monteys|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s art is fantastic. This would have been a two star review, but his art is flawless, engaging, and the perfect pairing for what this story wants to be.
Unfortunately, just as I was starting to lose interest in the initial characters/scenario, we jump to a different time, with a similar story which will undoubtedly be related to the beginning of the book. I just couldn't invest myself with reading any more.
I love most of Coulton's music, and I'm a big fan of Fraction's work, so I was disappointed to not be into this. If you are a mega-Coulton fan, or you really like sci-fi tropery, this book might be for you. The story isn't challenging, so much as repetitive, and, again, the art is fantastic. Even though I didn't enjoy it, I'm glad I picked it up, so I know to look for more Albert Monteys art.
jonathonjones's review against another edition
3.0
I really did not get what was going on here. Thematically it was interesting, dealing with privacy and information and the way Google and other companies handle that information. But page to page i had a lot of trouble tracking the plot. Artwork was good, I think this just ended up being over my head.
teanahk's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not really sure what was going on with this one but I kind of loved it anyway. Does that make sense? It was weird but awesome. Awesomely weird.
How's that for a coherent review?
How's that for a coherent review?
elturko64's review against another edition
3.0
Man so conflicted. The art in this book is wonderful yet the story is a bit hard to follow. Too many ideas were crammed into one little book. By the time the ending came I was even more confused. Still it was enjoyable and their were some parts where I got a good chuckle.