Customer Reviews

Bizenghast Volume 5

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

 

 

I've been a fan of this series since it's introduction and I must say, Legrow has really outdone herself here. After a jaw dropping ending in book 4, she tackles some issues that are really unpleasant to deal with involving death. Grief, disillusionment, sorrow, and anger...it really makes the book feel organic. Dinah, the main character, really grows as a person. This story is a bit of a downer compared to the rest, though there is plenty of offbeat humor that the Bizenghast series is known for. However, what really hooked me was the way these characters grow, not just Dinah, but all of her friends as well. Edaniel, the Cheshire cat wannabe and Edrear, the knightly warrior. They all seem like living, breathing, creatures that have a natural evolution. Plus, some brilliant foreshadowing makes me hungry for the next few volumes to see what Dinah has to deal with next.

This is a very bizarre story. It's got a strange gothic aesthetic that can turn off many, but the story tackles some very realistic issues, while keeping up the fantastical setting. And as the icing on the cake, we have more moments of offbeat humor mixed in with all the tragedy. It's a great read and hauntingly beautiful if you give it time to sink in.

I'd recommend this series to anyone fond of horror, fantasy, or quirky humor in a graphic novel series. But...start at the beginning, otherwise you may be a little lost with the story and some of the inside jokes.

Bizenghast continues to be a high quality graphic novel with the publication of it's fifth volume. The characters are all explored and likable. I cannot shake the feeling that this is somewhat of a guilty pleasure in terms of reading, but it also does the job of being a guilty pleasure with such gusto and commitment that it becomes all the more enjoyable.

The art is consistent and of high quality. There are not many books and stories of this type out there, and I appreciate Bizenghast for willing to stand out.

Bizenghast in this volume brings to the table what we've already seen. Choppy crosshatching, badly inserted screentones, messy sketches for actions, inconsistent character designs, and a plot that wants to be good but isn't. The book is hardly worth a sit and read at your local library, and definitely not worth 10 dollars.