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jasmeaniethebookish's review against another edition
4.0
A Legacy of Violence was pretty interesting to me. I’ll read the next volume for sure, as I’m curious how everything is going to play out. However, the art pulled me out of the story trying to figure out who everyone was. That’s my only gripe.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
hanxue's review against another edition
1.0
Thank you Netgalley for offering me an ARC of a legacy of violence.
This did not seem to be the right read for me, I'm an avid horror reader and enjoyer of the genre however this comic came off a bit exploitative especially as it was based on the very real Unit 731 which existed during WWII. It seems disrespectful to the survivors and families of the victims who suffered the inhuman tortures in that place.
Apart from that, the killer of this comic was a very random person who came off quite laughably corny and did not relate at all to the story somehow and just seemed there for the shock value, just as the inhuman tortures of real life victims were used for shock value in this comic.
This is not at all what horror readers are looking for in a comic, it could have been done well and respectfully but it ended up to be a waste of time and effort.
This did not seem to be the right read for me, I'm an avid horror reader and enjoyer of the genre however this comic came off a bit exploitative especially as it was based on the very real Unit 731 which existed during WWII. It seems disrespectful to the survivors and families of the victims who suffered the inhuman tortures in that place.
Apart from that, the killer of this comic was a very random person who came off quite laughably corny and did not relate at all to the story somehow and just seemed there for the shock value, just as the inhuman tortures of real life victims were used for shock value in this comic.
This is not at all what horror readers are looking for in a comic, it could have been done well and respectfully but it ended up to be a waste of time and effort.
jkenna1990's review against another edition
5.0
Would you like to read a fantastic horror graphic novel! Then look no further! In this we follow our main character, Dr. Nicholas Shaw, who is traveling with a group of doctors to Honduras. He's trying to outrun a traumatic experience but it seems that it's followed him. Or maybe it's something more sinister? Hopefully we'll get some more answers in volume 2!
bookishtrina's review against another edition
I really enjoyed A Legacy of Violence, Vol. 1. The image style and word-image relationships and references were superb! The storyline was so intriguing I consumed it in one sitting.
I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
jhstack's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
confettichloe's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked Cullen Bunn’s A Legacy of Violence, and am excited to read further installments in the series! Bunn builds suspense artfully throughout the story, and his pacing is perfect. I was easily drawn into the plot from the very first page. The visual aesthetic of the artwork pairs wonderfully with the dark mystery confronted by the characters, and the composition of different scenes throughout the story was amazing.
Going into the book, I was a little nervous about reading it due to the gore implied by the cover. Many graphic novels I have read that included horror themes seemed to rely a little too much on the gore itself instead of fully developing the plot and crafting an interesting world. However, this is definitely not the case in A Legacy of Violence. The gore included in the story never felt like too much, and each moment of violence added to the storyline in concrete ways. I loved the overall plot, and am already looking forward to the next volume’s release!
Going into the book, I was a little nervous about reading it due to the gore implied by the cover. Many graphic novels I have read that included horror themes seemed to rely a little too much on the gore itself instead of fully developing the plot and crafting an interesting world. However, this is definitely not the case in A Legacy of Violence. The gore included in the story never felt like too much, and each moment of violence added to the storyline in concrete ways. I loved the overall plot, and am already looking forward to the next volume’s release!
reads_vicariously's review against another edition
2.0
The kills are gory and the art is fine, but overall the story is kind of boring. Someone is killing people to get the doctor's attention. One doctor has a traumatic past and may know more about what's happening than he realizes. It also hinges around the elusive "unit 731", a fact that is repeated ad nauseam throughout the volume. None of the characters are really developed and I'm not invested enough to uncover the mystery. Definitely not Cullen Bunn's best writing.
hngisreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
sal_tinajero's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios!
CW: blood and gore
This graphic novel was a fun mix of slasher and whodunnit on a larger scale than I was expecting. Given the book being short, I was at first concerned pacing would be an issue. Thankfully, it wasn’t at all. I was able to linger in strange, uncomfortable moments for just the right amount of time. I also thought we would’ve faced one or two murders max, but this kill count is already getting pretty high after the first installment.
The art was perfect for this book. The illustrations and coloring left just enough to the imagination for you to fill in the blanks, and I particularly am a sucker for black-and-white flashbacks. I still have a few questions after reading this, but nothing that will stop me reaching for the second volume.
Overall, if you’re looking for a macabre read with some stand out gruesome moments, this is the book for you.
CW: blood and gore
This graphic novel was a fun mix of slasher and whodunnit on a larger scale than I was expecting. Given the book being short, I was at first concerned pacing would be an issue. Thankfully, it wasn’t at all. I was able to linger in strange, uncomfortable moments for just the right amount of time. I also thought we would’ve faced one or two murders max, but this kill count is already getting pretty high after the first installment.
The art was perfect for this book. The illustrations and coloring left just enough to the imagination for you to fill in the blanks, and I particularly am a sucker for black-and-white flashbacks. I still have a few questions after reading this, but nothing that will stop me reaching for the second volume.
Overall, if you’re looking for a macabre read with some stand out gruesome moments, this is the book for you.
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Cullen Bunn's works tend to be a bit hit-and-miss for me, and sadly, this one was a miss. It felt like I was getting the middle of a story that was missing the beginning and never effectively worked its way back to explain what was happening, or why. I did get a bit more interested in the backstory by the end of this volume, but it ended so abruptly that my interest fizzled out and I probably won't continue the series.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Child abuse