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crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
4.0
Harry Dresden: The only openly practicing wizard in Chicago
If you've read the book of the same name, [b:Storm Front|47212|Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1)|Jim Butcher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345556917s/47212.jpg|1137060], you pretty much know what this is about. Here is my summary of the full-blown novel:
As with the novel, I really enjoyed the character of Harry (a good thing, as he is our protagonist!). He's your average wizard--obviously skilled, but not so omnipotent that the action scenes are boring. Harry has weaknesses (he's terrible with women, for one), he's grumpy, he overworks, he passes out when he's tired...all around, he's a pleasant guy to learn about.
Dresden's world is pretty interesting too. I loved learning how the magic works (in some ways, I feel this area was nicely "cleaned up" from the novel version, which had a tendency to be a bit unclear and almost too detailed, I felt), seeing the faeries, seeing Morgan, seeing the demons, seeing Bianca...and so on.
The story is very interesting. I like how Harry is working on two cases at the same time. Also, the story was well translated into graphic novel form, something that can have varying results, I've seen. I wasn't confused about what Harry was doing or why (though I have to wonder how much of that is because I've read the novel and knew what he was doing and why).
Specifically about the graphic novel, the art was pretty good. Harry Dresden wasn't quite what I expected, but I grew to like him regardless. Morgan was also very good. As I mentioned above, the vampires, demons, Bob, Toot-Too...all cool to see.
My big complaint here is towards the women. Every single woman looked the same, from Karrin Murphy to Susan Rodriquez to Bianca to Monica to Linda: they all had sharp chins (very similar to how Harry was drawn). I was particularly perturbed about Karrin Murphy because I got the impression she had almost a cutsey doll face (Drew Barrymore maybe??), not a sharp, pointy-chinned face. Susan Rodriguez did not look Mexican or Hispanic in the slightest, merely like a tanned Karrin. By the time I reached Bianca, a red-haired Karrin, I ceased to be surprised at all the pointy-chinned ladies (btw, I always imagine Bianca more like Angelina Jolie). I get that my image of the character will be different than the one in the actual graphic novel, but when the only difference between the women is the color of skin and hair, I think there's a slight problem.
One last graphic novel comment: the narration (Harry's internal dialogue) is well translated here. Perfect balance of exposition and letting the art speak for itself.
Overall, this was a good graphic novel. Sure some of the art is wonky (namely the women), but the story is the best. This novel was truly meant for this medium. The action sequences are well-rendered, the characters are like their book counterparts, and the story is intriguing--so much that even though I've already read the novel, I'll be checking out Volume 2. If you like Dresden, you definitely need to check these out.
If you've read the book of the same name, [b:Storm Front|47212|Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1)|Jim Butcher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345556917s/47212.jpg|1137060], you pretty much know what this is about. Here is my summary of the full-blown novel:
"Harry Dresden is the only practicing wizard in the Yellow Pages and often works with the police on their “paranormal” crimes. One day, Lieutenant Murphy calls him up and presents him with a crime scene: two dead bodies, killed in a most brutal and obviously unnatural method, which some are trying to blame on Harry. Meanwhile, Harry is also hired to find the missing husband of Monica Sells."
As with the novel, I really enjoyed the character of Harry (a good thing, as he is our protagonist!). He's your average wizard--obviously skilled, but not so omnipotent that the action scenes are boring. Harry has weaknesses (he's terrible with women, for one), he's grumpy, he overworks, he passes out when he's tired...all around, he's a pleasant guy to learn about.
Dresden's world is pretty interesting too. I loved learning how the magic works (in some ways, I feel this area was nicely "cleaned up" from the novel version, which had a tendency to be a bit unclear and almost too detailed, I felt), seeing the faeries, seeing Morgan, seeing the demons, seeing Bianca...and so on.
The story is very interesting. I like how Harry is working on two cases at the same time. Also, the story was well translated into graphic novel form, something that can have varying results, I've seen. I wasn't confused about what Harry was doing or why (though I have to wonder how much of that is because I've read the novel and knew what he was doing and why).
Specifically about the graphic novel, the art was pretty good. Harry Dresden wasn't quite what I expected, but I grew to like him regardless. Morgan was also very good. As I mentioned above, the vampires, demons, Bob, Toot-Too...all cool to see.
My big complaint here is towards the women. Every single woman looked the same, from Karrin Murphy to Susan Rodriquez to Bianca to Monica to Linda: they all had sharp chins (very similar to how Harry was drawn). I was particularly perturbed about Karrin Murphy because I got the impression she had almost a cutsey doll face (Drew Barrymore maybe??), not a sharp, pointy-chinned face. Susan Rodriguez did not look Mexican or Hispanic in the slightest, merely like a tanned Karrin. By the time I reached Bianca, a red-haired Karrin, I ceased to be surprised at all the pointy-chinned ladies (btw, I always imagine Bianca more like Angelina Jolie). I get that my image of the character will be different than the one in the actual graphic novel, but when the only difference between the women is the color of skin and hair, I think there's a slight problem.
One last graphic novel comment: the narration (Harry's internal dialogue) is well translated here. Perfect balance of exposition and letting the art speak for itself.
Overall, this was a good graphic novel. Sure some of the art is wonky (namely the women), but the story is the best. This novel was truly meant for this medium. The action sequences are well-rendered, the characters are like their book counterparts, and the story is intriguing--so much that even though I've already read the novel, I'll be checking out Volume 2. If you like Dresden, you definitely need to check these out.
sarahrheawerner's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the art! But I think I'll stick with the books. You just get so much more STORY that way. This graphic novel version was just highlights of the first book -- and not even in its entirety.
mayabel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Such a fun read!!! *Chefs kiss*
The banter is absolutely amazing and the characters, although a bit flawed, are so easily lovable. The stories are always interesting and the pacing is just right so that the reader doesn’t really have time to piece things together because a new challenge appeared. Personal secrets and mysteries are hinted at but not dwelled upon which I appreciate. I love a tense, gritty book but this story was just so fun and refreshing. This quickly became one of my favorites and I’m excited to go through the series.
The banter is absolutely amazing and the characters, although a bit flawed, are so easily lovable. The stories are always interesting and the pacing is just right so that the reader doesn’t really have time to piece things together because a new challenge appeared. Personal secrets and mysteries are hinted at but not dwelled upon which I appreciate. I love a tense, gritty book but this story was just so fun and refreshing. This quickly became one of my favorites and I’m excited to go through the series.
kirstensviews's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
calfaile's review against another edition
3.0
I've read both the book and the graphic novel. I thought the book was better. The graphic novel felt superficial.
erincataldi's review against another edition
4.0
Well I love the shit out of the original book and the audiobook; so it only makes sense that I would love this as well! Some of the characters are not how I imagined (as it always is in movies and pictures), but it was no biggie. I also thought the storytelling pace was perfect and didn't leave anything out; it was very faithful to the book! Overall a great adaptation and I definitely need to get the rest in this series so I can see how it progresses. Eventually I'll get around to watching the show!
lisawreading's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this graphic novel version of Storm Front, book one in the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. For those who've already read the novel, the plot will be completely familiar, but it was very entertaining to see the characters come to life on the page. The drawings are terrific, and I was surprised by how closely the images of Harry, Murphy, and Susan matched how I see them when I read the books. Clearly, a talented group of people were behind the creation of the graphic novel. Highly recommended for Dresden File fans.
erinld2005's review against another edition
5.0
I just love The Dresden Files! The artwork in this is pretty darn good. I would definitely recommend people read the actual book first though. :)
crzyarrow's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really good representation of the first half of the Storm Front book. Love the art style and the storytelling, it stays very true to the original.