By Jean-David Morvan and Philippe Bouchet
Every once in a while you’ll pick up a random comic at the local comic shop that blindsides you, leaving you saying, “where did that come from?” Well,
Wolverine: Saudade was originally intended for a European audience and was written back in 2006. Written by two of “
Europe’s top creators,” it certainly was worth the wait.
The art looks unique and exciting, similar to something that might come out of Seth Fisher or Paul Pope’s bag of tricks. Wolverine has an animal look to him with some of his features exaggerated especially when he growls or snarls. His claws look like giant machetes even though he comments they are, “less than a millimeter thick.” Bouchet really plays up their slicing ability as he cuts through guns, trucks, and limbs. Another success of the art is when it takes a step back and shows really detailed scenic panels. It gives you a great sense of the atmosphere of the area.
Even better is the treatment of Wolverine’s character. He does unbelievable violent things to his enemies, the reason for the giant mature content warning on the cover, but is also shown as a caring mentor for the kids in the story and with a really good sense of humor. The final page shows his true compassion as he reflects on the really heavy events of the story and wonders what could have been.
By Jean-David Morvan and Philippe Bouchet
The art looks unique and exciting, similar to something that might come out of Seth Fisher or Paul Pope’s bag of tricks. Wolverine has an animal look to him with some of his features exaggerated especially when he growls or snarls. His claws look like giant machetes even though he comments they are, “less than a millimeter thick.” Bouchet really plays up their slicing ability as he cuts through guns, trucks, and limbs. Another success of the art is when it takes a step back and shows really detailed scenic panels. It gives you a great sense of the atmosphere of the area.
Even better is the treatment of Wolverine’s character. He does unbelievable violent things to his enemies, the reason for the giant mature content warning on the cover, but is also shown as a caring mentor for the kids in the story and with a really good sense of humor. The final page shows his true compassion as he reflects on the really heavy events of the story and wonders what could have been.
2 comments:
jesse-
thanks to you (and sammy) i read saudade today and i really think it is a great book and is another example of my contention that superhero comics can be the most exciting and fulfilling things going. one thing i noticed in terms of the art is that in panels depicting violence done to inanimate objects--primarily automobiles--the level of detail brings to mind many of darrow's panels from hard boiled. i also found that the choice of setting the story in brazil allowed the writers to make subtle comments about the living situation of the millions living in grinding poverty in brazil's favelas--most particularly the plight of children--and the still relevant legacy of colonialism in many countries and particularly in latin america where you have populations that are divided amongst indigenous peoples, the descendants of europeans and those of varying degrees of mixed heritage and their respective positions in terms of economics and power. lastly, on that note, i would call to attention logan/wolverine's insistence upon his identification as a 'canuck' every time he was referred to as an american. clearly i think much of this is present due to the fact that it is a 'european' comic and i think it ultimately makes it a very interesting and rewarding book.
well here come the real Canadian bad-ass, only a few readers know the truly story behind wolverine and all his enemies and friends,first a public enemy, later a weapon and finally a hero.
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