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A review by deanlockiradall
Love Advice from the Great Duke of Hell: A Webtoon Unscrolled Graphic Novel by unfins
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Actual rating 2.0-2.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Webtoon for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. (Disclaimer: I have not read the original webcomic on Webtoon, so my perspective is that of a new reader in 2024.)
Love Advice from the Great Duke of Hell by unfins is a light urban fantasy rom-com webcomic (now in print form) about Paul, a young man who summons the demon Astaroth in order to learn how to woo a young woman whom he crushes on from afar. Hijinks quickly ensue, since Paul's crush doesn't know he exists and also has a secret identity of her own.
This comic is very much a product of the Internet Age. Many of its jokes and gags reference memes and commentary that were viral at the time of original publication. It feels like a debut work, in the sense that the creator is learning and growing with each new chapter. This is particularly clear in Volume 1 of this completed series. While the artwork and premise show promise, there is definite room for improvement. The dramatic scenes with flames are some of the best-executed art panels in the book, but the pacing and comedy--much of which are spoofs of common genre tropes--fall rather flat. While certain elements could still elicit a wry chuckle, others did not age well, such as Paul's methods of pining for his crush (which now more closely resemble borderline stalking). If you enjoy puns, however, this book is chock-full of them.
Perhaps I will one day try the full comic on Webtoon to see how the creator's style develops since unfins has another series out, but for now, I don't know that it will be high on my priority list. In the meantime, other, more successful spoof/satire Webtoons of interest include Not So Shoujo Love Story by Curryuku and My Brother's (Not So) Secret Boyfriend by metaromantic, both of which would be fantastic to see in print!
Thank you to NetGalley and Webtoon for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. (Disclaimer: I have not read the original webcomic on Webtoon, so my perspective is that of a new reader in 2024.)
Love Advice from the Great Duke of Hell by unfins is a light urban fantasy rom-com webcomic (now in print form) about Paul, a young man who summons the demon Astaroth in order to learn how to woo a young woman whom he crushes on from afar. Hijinks quickly ensue, since Paul's crush doesn't know he exists and also has a secret identity of her own.
This comic is very much a product of the Internet Age. Many of its jokes and gags reference memes and commentary that were viral at the time of original publication. It feels like a debut work, in the sense that the creator is learning and growing with each new chapter. This is particularly clear in Volume 1 of this completed series. While the artwork and premise show promise, there is definite room for improvement. The dramatic scenes with flames are some of the best-executed art panels in the book, but the pacing and comedy--much of which are spoofs of common genre tropes--fall rather flat. While certain elements could still elicit a wry chuckle, others did not age well, such as Paul's methods of pining for his crush (which now more closely resemble borderline stalking). If you enjoy puns, however, this book is chock-full of them.
Perhaps I will one day try the full comic on Webtoon to see how the creator's style develops since unfins has another series out, but for now, I don't know that it will be high on my priority list. In the meantime, other, more successful spoof/satire Webtoons of interest include Not So Shoujo Love Story by Curryuku and My Brother's (Not So) Secret Boyfriend by metaromantic, both of which would be fantastic to see in print!