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A review by museoffire
The Ruby Throne by Julien Blondel
4.0
I admit I've never quite "gotten" Michael Moorcock. I think I was first drawn to the tragic albino sorcerer Elric and his demonic sword Stormbringer when I saw those amazing covers with his shocked white face and those strange hooded red eyes. His stories were equally dark and dreamy as he traveled the world having been the instrument of destruction for the very kingdom he'd once ruled over as emperor, the decadent and powerful empire of Melnibone.
Elric fascinated because he was the master of a world he felt no kinship for. Unlike his people who treated average humans as little better than animals Elric could feel sympathy and even disgust for actions his subjects took for granted.
Elric was damaged, perpetually weak from the poisoned blood that ran through his veins, and riddled with scars from the loss of all those he'd ever held dear and he wandered the world like a more eloquent Conan wielding the soul hungry Stormbringer for good or ill.
But I never quite understood his world. I could never really see it in my mind. I was always left feeling a little bit empty.
Fortunately Julien Blondel has solved that with this deeply beautiful, deeply disturbing graphic novel that perfectly captures the depravity, blood lust, and just plain lust that is the cancerous heart of Melnibone and its people. Its absolutely the story you remember rendered in stunning detail. Echoes of David Lynch and "Hellraiser" abound and the book is all the richer for them.
This is a stunner of a graphic novel well deserving of the praise Moorcock himself has given it. I look forward to revisiting this fantastical horror show in volume 2!!!!
Elric fascinated because he was the master of a world he felt no kinship for. Unlike his people who treated average humans as little better than animals Elric could feel sympathy and even disgust for actions his subjects took for granted.
Elric was damaged, perpetually weak from the poisoned blood that ran through his veins, and riddled with scars from the loss of all those he'd ever held dear and he wandered the world like a more eloquent Conan wielding the soul hungry Stormbringer for good or ill.
But I never quite understood his world. I could never really see it in my mind. I was always left feeling a little bit empty.
Fortunately Julien Blondel has solved that with this deeply beautiful, deeply disturbing graphic novel that perfectly captures the depravity, blood lust, and just plain lust that is the cancerous heart of Melnibone and its people. Its absolutely the story you remember rendered in stunning detail. Echoes of David Lynch and "Hellraiser" abound and the book is all the richer for them.
This is a stunner of a graphic novel well deserving of the praise Moorcock himself has given it. I look forward to revisiting this fantastical horror show in volume 2!!!!