Customer Reviews

The Archers: Thorgal 4 (Thorgal (Cinebook)) (v. 4)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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

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!