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A review by versmonesprit
Brynmore (TPB) by Steve Niles
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
0.25
Reading another graphic series by IDW for work, I came upon a promotion for Brynmore, and immediately ran to the publisher’s website to see if I could find an ebook. So when I happened upon it on NetGalley, I excitedly jumped on the opportunity.
I don’t know why, but I thought this would be a vampire tale (inclined to say it’s the cover art). Instead it’s a golem story. But that doesn’t matter, because the disappointment stemmed not from the story, but from its execution.
The illustrations (as well as the colouring) were initially gorgeous. Their grain and texture created a feeling of found footage, which immediately set a thrilling atmosphere for the story. Things went downhill immediately after.
Right off the bat, it’s all tell and no show, which is baffling considering graphic novels incorporate literal visuals. Everything moves at an unbelievable pace, preventing all suspense. As such, there is no inner conflict to justify Mark’s alcohol relapse either.
The abruptness extends to the ending as well, which makes the volume feel all the more like the storyboard to build upon rather than the actual story.
It doesn’t help that everyone accepts the emergence of a golem and zombies as perfectly normal, with no disbelief or panic or at least a brief reaction. The rather comical depiction of the action sequence is yet another unfavourable aspect of this graphic novel.
I am sorry to say this should have stayed in the development stage much longer.
[DRC provided by NetGalley and IDW Publishing.]
I don’t know why, but I thought this would be a vampire tale (inclined to say it’s the cover art). Instead it’s a golem story. But that doesn’t matter, because the disappointment stemmed not from the story, but from its execution.
The illustrations (as well as the colouring) were initially gorgeous. Their grain and texture created a feeling of found footage, which immediately set a thrilling atmosphere for the story. Things went downhill immediately after.
Right off the bat, it’s all tell and no show, which is baffling considering graphic novels incorporate literal visuals. Everything moves at an unbelievable pace, preventing all suspense. As such, there is no inner conflict to justify Mark’s alcohol relapse either.
The abruptness extends to the ending as well, which makes the volume feel all the more like the storyboard to build upon rather than the actual story.
It doesn’t help that everyone accepts the emergence of a golem and zombies as perfectly normal, with no disbelief or panic or at least a brief reaction. The rather comical depiction of the action sequence is yet another unfavourable aspect of this graphic novel.
I am sorry to say this should have stayed in the development stage much longer.
[DRC provided by NetGalley and IDW Publishing.]