Customer Reviews

Grendel Tales: Devils and Deaths (Grendel (Graphic Novels))

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is by far one of the best comic series that I have ever read. I borrowed a friend's original comic books and read them repeatedly. I was able to find the graphic novel and bought it just to have the stories around. Since I have bought it I have read it again at least 5 times.

The story is engrossing, action packed and emotionally charged. I would (and have) recommend this book to anyone who loves either a comic or just a great story.

This is one of the best graphic novels I've ever read in my life. It is actually the book that got me interested in graphic novels in the first place. I have read it many many times, and every time I read it I find something new that I love about it. The art and story work together perfectly. This is what a graphic novel is supposed to be. Amazing.

Grendel: Devils and Deaths is one of those great comic fictions (like Dark Knight and Watchmen) which reveal so much of the time and culture which produced them. The story takes place in an imagined distant future, but yet is so clearly about the hatreds and terror of the early 90s Balkan wars (its writer and artist are natives of Croatia).

I think what I love so much about this work is the constant mix of strength and weakness in the characters-- there are no supermen here. The boldest warriors are gripped with fear, the most murderous generals are not portrayed without sympathy, and even the most oppressed are not innocent. This is real life.

It is true to the Balkans, with its myriad factions, and also so true to Croatia-- the beautiful beaches Borna longs to see...

This work is sadly out of print, but hopefully not for long. Highly recommended.

Folks,just buy it.You wont be sorry.

Along with the "Dark Knight Returns" (written/illustrated by Frank Miller) and "Watchmen" (written by Alan Moore) this is the best story told in comic books history. But graphic art by late Edvin Biukovic outshines the art of the two graphic novels mentioned before.

Darko Macan's script revolves around "clan wars" (in some way equivalent to gang wars) in post-nuclear age on the same spaces where Croatia is today. Having said that, this is a note for people who don't know ancient latin (meaning a vaste majority of people): majority of the clan and geographical names are latin names for towns and places that exist today (and have existed during the Roman Empire). The names of the protagonists (Drago, Ivan, Borna...) are all Croatian names in use today.

Heroism, stupidity, unscrupulous ambitions, sacrifice, sense of duty, betrayal, political compromise and even hope... Everything you encounter in your everyday life is here. When you're done reading, don't be afraid to shed a tear. In fact, you'll have to be pretty unemotional creature not to (or in real denial with yourself). Some may say it is the reflection of the war in these parts, and it's hard to argue with it. It probably is.

Believe me, this is really THE BEST graphic novel that exists. And I'm not saying this because I'm from Agram, or because I knew Edvin (we went to high-school together). I'm saying it beacuse IT REALLY IS the best. Also, it's Edvin Biukovic's last work, his swan's song, that may be surpassed in the future, but I don't see that coming anytime soon.

To end up this on a slightly upbeat note, I'd like to mention one of few jokes Edvin incorporated in his art that could not be detected by anyone not knowing Croatian. Near the end, when Grendel Khan's troops (a parable for UN forces, you'll see) march through the village, you can see the word "JEBO" on the jeeps. Well, JEBO means "f..k" in Croatian. I found it extremely funny, though you may not. But then again, you didn't know Edvin...

"The force will be with you, Edvin. Always."

and ease with which late edi biukovic drew a story, at its best. one of the most beautifully written and drawn comic books i have ever seen - and i have seen many, as i used to date a comic book store owner for years. i also knew edi in person. he was obsessed with framing and composition, and he actully SAW the story unravel like a movie in his head. out of all his works i prefer grendel tales, to the level of purchasing 3 original tables. if you like art in any of its many forms and fashions, you'll love this.

The only excuse for you not to read this tale is for someone to say "oh heck, i'm not familiar with the characters and story behind Grendel". Well don't fret, neither am I. And that didn't effect me one bit in fully enjoying this moving, tour de force, graphic novel.
The story starts here and ends here. But your thoughts on it won't, atleast for another day or two. It's got everything to captivate you; a little bit of good humour, a lot action, and it's got it's share of dark moments.

It's about war, and properly portrayed too, i.e there really isn't any glory in it. How can it when lives are lost?
I have to admit this book is original and creative especially when you loook at 90% of all the other graphic novels put out in the comic market these days. This one rises high above the rest of all that trashy...and only few works of Alan Moore or Neil Gaiman can be compared to it.

...in 20th century. In this future situated book, there are clans who speak same language, have same religion but, however, keep backstabbing and shooting at each other.

The first story arc is about honorable warrior who is in quest of warrior's death because he is radiation poisoned.

The second part of the book is parable of what happened in ex Yugoslavia: they let people kill each other and then marched in as pacificators.

Although this is fictional book, you have all the tragedy of balkan people and their mentality.

This book is REALLY one of the best written, because it has no script: the script IS the truth that we witnessed.

First of all, most reviews on amazon are OK. I didn't wanna bother writing them, but after this I have to. I give this 3 stars (I only gave it 1 to balance other people's overrated grades). To the mo**n M. Vasiljevic. This is not a perfect explanation what happened to ex-Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia had 6 republics and Soviet Union had 12 or so. Soviet Union dissolved peacefully, but Yugoslavia didn't. The reason for that is that Serbia, who dominated the country politically and economically (just like Russia dominated ex Soviet Union) didn't want it to end, and started the war. After the 6 republics declared independency, Serbia attacked them. First Serbia attacked Slovenia, than Croatia and finally Bosnia. We didn't have the same language, plus 5 republics had roman letters, Serbs cyrillic, so M. Vasiljevic, you are an ignorant pr**k. The other thing is that people in Croatia are Catholics, Serbs are Orthodox, some people in Bosnia are muslims. Everybody didn't shoot at each other, Serbs shoot at everone.
Finally the story is for children, I'm sorry that I have to say, I'm from Zagreb, Croatia, and I wanted to give this 5, but I can't. The story is 1 star, illustrations are 4 stars. I can't rate this better. Most reviewers obviuosly grew up on fairy tales and claim this to be the best graphic novel ever like Borjan Komarica.
My advice for all of you - read Enki Bilal - the best one's are "The Hunting Party" and "The Beast Trilogy". Enki's stories and illustrations are 5 stars. His comic books are for mature readers. I'm 29, and I tought that most readers here are above 20, so I believed their reviews. After you are done with his comic books, then come back and review this again.