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lelandbuck's review
4.0
(The following is extracted from a review I wrote on my blog.)
In the Small is Michael Hague's first foray into the wold of Graphic Novels. Michael has been a successful illustrator for nearly thirty years and is one of the few (if not the only) illustrators I know of who has illustrated J.R.R. Tolkien without making a career out of Tolkien. (In fact almost all other available illustrated editions of Tolkien currently available are from Alan Lee and John Howe).
In The Small is an apocalyptic tale of survival in which a young man's sensitivity to premonitions give rise to his leadership in the post apocalypse. The story very compelling despite its being one of many post-apocalyptic tales. Also, the details of how the apocalypse comes is quite new in interesting. But what really made this book so enjoyable for me was Michael's unparalleled talent as an illustrator.
There is indeed something refreshing in seeing a "traditional" illustrator make the transition to a more modern form like Graphic Novels and do it so well. I ran into Michael and his son Devon (neither of whom do I know particularly well, but who I have met a few times) about 2 years ago in a bookshop, and they both mentioned that they were interested in graphic novels and starting to work on one. I am disappointed to say that my first thought was, "why?" (More a commentary on my past snobbery towards Graphic Novels than my opinion of Mr. Hague.) Well, Michael, I am now pleased to say, I feel foolish for even thinking it. I'll be one of the first to purchase the second installment and I'll openly encourage others to check out In the Small.
In the Small is Michael Hague's first foray into the wold of Graphic Novels. Michael has been a successful illustrator for nearly thirty years and is one of the few (if not the only) illustrators I know of who has illustrated J.R.R. Tolkien without making a career out of Tolkien. (In fact almost all other available illustrated editions of Tolkien currently available are from Alan Lee and John Howe).
In The Small is an apocalyptic tale of survival in which a young man's sensitivity to premonitions give rise to his leadership in the post apocalypse. The story very compelling despite its being one of many post-apocalyptic tales. Also, the details of how the apocalypse comes is quite new in interesting. But what really made this book so enjoyable for me was Michael's unparalleled talent as an illustrator.
There is indeed something refreshing in seeing a "traditional" illustrator make the transition to a more modern form like Graphic Novels and do it so well. I ran into Michael and his son Devon (neither of whom do I know particularly well, but who I have met a few times) about 2 years ago in a bookshop, and they both mentioned that they were interested in graphic novels and starting to work on one. I am disappointed to say that my first thought was, "why?" (More a commentary on my past snobbery towards Graphic Novels than my opinion of Mr. Hague.) Well, Michael, I am now pleased to say, I feel foolish for even thinking it. I'll be one of the first to purchase the second installment and I'll openly encourage others to check out In the Small.
pwbalto's review
1.0
Michael Hague may be a talented illustrator (although you'd never know from the scratchy adolescent-looking work in this book), but he does not have the graphic novel format down. Passage of time is particularly poorly managed, with no visual indication of whether hours, days, or even weeks have passed between panels.
The entire thing seems condensed. I kept checking to see whether this was originally a serial comic book, and things got chopped out when they made the graphic novel out of it. New plot elements and even characters appear, and are accorded a significance that is mystifying to the reader.
The entire thing seems condensed. I kept checking to see whether this was originally a serial comic book, and things got chopped out when they made the graphic novel out of it. New plot elements and even characters appear, and are accorded a significance that is mystifying to the reader.
curiouslibrarian's review
1.0
This is a pretty lousy graphic novel. The art is either gruesome or "pretty" with little soul in it. And the "strategic items" ploy in the beginning after the people shrink gets tiresome awfully fast.
The story was boring or incoherent in turns. I found very little redeeming in this book. And that is not something I say lightly.
I would love to know what other people seem to like so much about this book.
The story was boring or incoherent in turns. I found very little redeeming in this book. And that is not something I say lightly.
I would love to know what other people seem to like so much about this book.
bookbrig's review
1.0
The core idea of this book was sort of awesome. Weird blue flash, all of humanity shrinks down to a few inches in height, most technology is rendered useless by our new size, now what? But I just didn't enjoy the execution. The art is fine, but the panel transitions didn't always flow in ways that made sense. Plus, I felt like the text was too sparse and unimaginative to get me really involved with the characters. Add in some weirdly paternalistic and vague religious overtones, and I was really happy it didn't take me long to get through.
neekelf's review
2.0
It could have been better. The angel/demon thing was wierd and unneccesary, while there were many avenues that could have been covered for a better read. For my first graphic novel, it was disappoiting.
chwaters's review
3.0
what would you do if humanity suddenly became 6 inches tall while the rest of the earth remained the same size? here's a hint: it takes a really long time to get from place to place and doll clothes fit really well.
great illustrations, interesting story. i wish the connection between mouse and d-a-v had gone a bit further....alas.
great illustrations, interesting story. i wish the connection between mouse and d-a-v had gone a bit further....alas.
jesslower's review
2.0
2.5 stars
Honestly not impressed.
It was a super interesting concept. Honey I Shrunk the Kids: the Apocalypse. However, it was executed not super well.
First, the art style. It is rather sketchy and muddy. I prefer a cleaner style than this, and I know many others agree.
The story itself follows a family after this blue flash that shrinks everyone to 6 inches tall. As you could imagine causes a whole bunch of shit to go down. One weird thing is a boy in this family has visions, this is never explained particularly well, he has a vision that this will happened. Time passing also isn't done well, it is said some of these people have been traveling for weeks but other than stating that time has passed, there is no other indication.
Honestly not impressed.
It was a super interesting concept. Honey I Shrunk the Kids: the Apocalypse. However, it was executed not super well.
First, the art style. It is rather sketchy and muddy. I prefer a cleaner style than this, and I know many others agree.
The story itself follows a family after this blue flash that shrinks everyone to 6 inches tall. As you could imagine causes a whole bunch of shit to go down. One weird thing is a boy in this family has visions, this is never explained particularly well, he has a vision that this will happened. Time passing also isn't done well, it is said some of these people have been traveling for weeks but other than stating that time has passed, there is no other indication.
ninjamuse's review
1.0
This is all telling, no showing, and for a graphic novel, that's saying something. The story's really compressed and not at all original, and I finished it with regret that I'd read it at all.
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