The Archers: Thorgal 4 (Thorgal (Cinebook)) (v. 4) [Paperback]

Van Jean Hamme (Author), Grzegorz Rosinski (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 2008 | Series: Thorgal (Cinebook) (Book 4)

Jolan has become a robust kid who is interested in everything. The strange signs he draws without knowing their meaning thoroughly intrigue his parents. During one escapade, he makes friends with a boy his age. The child seems to be lost and is terrified of adults. Along with being deaf and mute, he cannot answer questions raised by his mysterious presence. Surprised by a storm, Thorgal has been taken in by an old couple. Without boat or money, he can't return to his village. Perhaps an archery competition will allow him to buy a new boat. Of all the competitors, the beautiful Kriss de Valnor is without a doubt the most formidable...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jean Van Hamme signed his first scenarios in 1968. He then increased his collaborations and quickly became one of the best-known European scenario writers. Among his most popular successes, one can name Thorgal with Rosinski, XIII (illustrated by Vance and published by Dargaud), and Largo Winch (illustrated by Francq and published by Dupuis). In 2003, during the French graphic novel festival of Vaison-la-Romaine, the jury for young readers awarded the prize for best scenario to Jean Van Hamme for The Barbarian (a volume of the Thorgal series). In 2005, the French Minister of Culture decorated him with the rank of "Officier des Arts et des Lettres." As for Grzegorz Rosinski, he published his first drawings very early, at 16 years old. In 1977, in collaboration with Jean Van Hamme, he launched the saga of Thorgal in Tintin magazine. Rosinski has received two lifetime achievement awards for his outstanding work; the first was in 2004 during the graphic novel festival of Belgium, and then he received the "Grand Prix Albert Uderzo" in 2005, during the graphic novel festival of Nimes (France).

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Cinebook, Ltd (October 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1905460678
• ISBN-13: 978-1905460670
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,256,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars WARNING: CENSORED, May 19, 2009

By 

Lars Kingbeard (Galipoli) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Archers: Thorgal 4 (Thorgal (Cinebook)) (v. 4) (Paperback)

Cinebooks should be commended for publishing an English version of this classic Belgian comic series. Its a wonderful story, and a totally different approach to the medium than seen in america, with art that is head and shoulders beyond what you get in your average superhero book. Unfortuneately, this release is marred by censored nudity. There is a brief attempted rape scene in this volume and the publishers have added some cloth to cover the exposed nipples of the original. This was totally unnecessary as the original version was very tastefully done and the nudity was brief. Incidentally, a guy gets shot clean through the ears with an arrow on the same page; apparently the publisher had no problem with that.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Classic, August 23, 2009

By 

Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Archers: Thorgal 4 (Thorgal (Cinebook)) (v. 4) (Paperback)

Gregorz Rosinski and Jean Van Hamme are geniuses. This, being my first exposure to Thorgal, has been a lesson in illustrated fiction. Thorgal captures the essense of true adventure, much the way Foster and Raymond did with their strips.

The Archer combines two tales, a Jolan mystery and a Thorgal-Robin Hood scenario. The first, a supernatural visitor haunts Jolan while Thorgal is away. This is true horror mystery, one that would fit in Creepy, or Tales From the Crypt. The Archer asks the question, exactly what would Thorgal do to get back home IF his ship was destroyed. There are elements of Robin Hood/the Blck Arrow, and a deserate quest for honor. Archer is truly remarkable in its' scope of character development and artistic achievment.

To give North American readers a reference point, Hammes' artistry is a cross between Dan Spiegle, Joe Kubert, and John Totleben. I can truly say that this book puts Marvel Comics 'new' crop to shame! Another reference might be Arak (from Ernie Colon), or Conan (by Thomas/Buscema).

After volume 4 and 5, I am hooked on Throgal and highly recommend it to readers with a sophisticated sense of literature.

Tim Lasiuta

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Memories, November 22, 2008

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Erik L. Dellblad - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Archers: Thorgal 4 (Thorgal (Cinebook)) (v. 4) (Paperback)

I was first introduced to Thorgal when I was seven years old. This particular adventure (as well as the other adventures) appeared in a popular Swedish comics magazine called 'The Phantom'. The action (relating to an archery contest) is brilliantly executed. Drama is built up effectively with the pacing and their is much depth in the plot. The backgrounds are beautiful and the people are realistically rendered, but in the unique style that only Rosiniski can draw. I recommend this to everyone, whether you have read the previous Thorgal stories or if you've never read any of them. I am so glad to see these being printed independently in book form in English (I unfortunately do not read French). Cinebook is doing a great job of releasing quality translations of classic French language comics. If you love action, mythology, history and original fantasy stories this is for you!