Customer Reviews

In Odd We Trust (Graphic Novel)

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(22)
1 star:		(39)

 

 

Before you buy IN ODD WE TRUST, be aware of the following:

(1) This is not an ODD THOMAS novel, it's a black and white comic book, a graphic novel drawn in the style of Japanese Manga. If you don't enjoy this type of entertainment, then don't buy this product.

(2) This graphic novel is not entirely written by Dean Koontz, but is instead largely done by Queenie Chan, a very talented manga writer and artist. If you're looking for a writing style that is identical to the ODD THOMAS novels, you will be somewhat disappointed. But I think Chan comes very close to capturing the spirit of all the characters. I also thought her portraits of Odd Thomas and especially Stormy Llewellyn were right on the mark. Overall, I think Chan did a very good job here, given the creative constraints she was probably under.

(3) IN ODD WE TRUST is a prequel story, one that takes place before the original ODD THOMAS novel. As a result, I don't think it's the best place to start Odd's story. My advice is to read Dean Koontz's ODD THOMAS novel first, then read IN ODD WE TRUST afterward. I think doing this will probably maximize your enjoyment of the graphic novel.

All in all, I really liked IN ODD WE TRUST. It's a fun story, and I enjoyed being reunited with all the major characters in the first ODD THOMAS novel. The story definitely lacks the depth of Koontz's novels, but I think that's largely due to the constraints of the graphic novel format (the story, after all, is less than 150 pages long, and took me about a half an hour to read). But if you're a Koontz fan who also enjoys the manga format, this is well worth a try.

The thing about Koontz's Odd Thomas is that he is just so darned good. How can anyone not like him? He is truly a good person. But in the other meaning of a "good character," it is also true that Mr. Koontz has succeeded in deftly portraying a truly innocent, beautiful soul -- but one for whom innocence does not mean ignorance. Odd has seen it all! I really love these books. Having said that, this particular book is as light and fluffy as one of Odd's pancakes (recall that he is a fry cook). This book is a graphic novel that doesn't have a whole lot of depth or texture as a story. But as a graphic novel, it is just fine. The story is clear; the drawing is lovely and serves the story well. And it was nice to see Stormy in the story. All in all, I don't think this book is a good place to begin your acquaintance with Odd Thomas -- read the novels first. But as an addition to the overall Odd Thomas history, it is quit nice and I recommend it to fans of Mr. Koontz.

Odd Thomas is just your average nineteen-year-old. That is if by average you mean someone who can see the lingering dead. By trade Odd is a fry cook in his hometown, Pico Mundo. After seeing a new spirit in the form of a young boy, Odd begins to sense foul play. It seems that a child killer is on the loose, and this boy is his latest victim. When one of Odd's friends finds herself in the middle of the case, Odd and his girlfriend Stormy decided to do some snooping around. What they discover is far more dangerous then they could have imagined.

If fell in love with the Odd Thomas character through the four Koontz novels dedicated to the beloved fry cook. When I heard there were plans for an Odd Thomas graphic novel, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. In Odd We Trust is a new Odd Thomas story that actually serves as a prequel to the original novel. As always, Koontz's storytelling is second to none and thankfully we don't lose any of the charm and humility of Odd's character in the graphic novel format. This new story is a fun addition to the Odd Thomas canon, and it was a bittersweet experience to have Stormy back for a while.

Australia magna artist Queenie Chan also brings her masterful skill to the table. Her portrayal of Odd and company really fits the story and gives us another delightful dimension of the Odd one. This is a must read for Odd Thomas fans and another wonderful addition to Dean Koontz's stellar body of work.

It's good, I guess, for artists to take occasional chances. There is no doubt that Dean Koontz is an artist and that Odd Thomas is one of his most brilliant creations. However, I have my doubts about Queenie Chan.

If you're not already among the converted, Odd Thomas is the young Pico Mundo, California short order cook, famed for his pancakes. He has other unusual talents as well. Attracting those departed from this life who haven't made the transition to the afterlife. Folks like Elvis, Frank Sinatra and the lesser known, particularly those who have been murdered.

Without guns, knives or even great courage, Odd comes up against some major violent criminals and always prevails. Odd is a genius in his own right and the creation of a genius.

Queenie Chan is a Manga (Japanese graphic novel) writer and artist. Somehow she and Koontz teamed up to produce an Odd Thomas Manga, more or less a comic book for adults.

There's nothing really awful about it, but I don't think it does Odd Thomas justice. The Manga format is simply not well suited for conveying the subtlety that makes Odd Thomas such an appealing character. My understanding is that Queenie Chan also wrote much of this. Since it lacks the dry, ironic wit so typical of Dean Koontz, I don't doubt that.

Anyway, it isn't awful and I suppose if you are a Manga fan, it has its virtues. But if you are an Odd Thomas fan, you mat find it disappointing. And if you have never known the pleasure of an introduction to Odd Thomas, don't start with this.

Jerry

Dean Koontz's thoroughly enjoyable and readable Odd Thomas series gets the graphic novel treatment in the paperback In Odd We Trust. The series has been a best-seller for Koontz for years, and here he fills in some of the missing details of Odd's life. In Odd We Trust is a prequel, an original story that begins before the first book in the series.

The premise of Odd's life is that he sees dead people. Or at least their left-behind spirits. These spirits are sometimes looking for justice or resolution to their lives, and Odd is enlisted to help, along with his tough-as-nails, gun-toting girlfriend, named Stormy (yes, Stormy is more than a bit of a cliché at this point; luckily, she's rescued by being a fresh and genuine character, and she has enough heart to stand on her own).

In Odd We Trust may introduce some new readers to Koontz's work, but more likely, it will introduce some Koontz readers to manga (the book isn't true manga; it reads left to right). It's a great format for Odd, since he's a bit of a superpowered guy anyway, and it's nice to have a visual representation of Odd's native Pico Mundo, California, and the restaurant where he makes the tastiest pancakes in town.

Odd and Stormy are determined to find the killer of a recently murdered young boy (the book's creepy opening shows the boy's spirit reading a newspaper account of his own murder). They work at solving the crime while, somewhere outside, the killer plots again. It's not exactly groundbreaking fare, but Koontz has always had a unique eye for the suspenseful. He's having fun here, too, using the format to great effect and creating an atmosphere of chilling and eerie effectiveness.

Koontz has enlisted the help of noted manga artist Queenie Chan (the Australian artist is probably best known for her great work on Tokyopop's The Dreaming series). Chan also helps with the writing here, so the graphic novel doesn't have the same feel as Koontz's prose series, but it's a nice changeup here.

The series gets some new life, and additional insight, from this work. Koontz includes an essay at the end that explains how he created the character of Odd Thomas and how he draws his inspiration for the work. Koontz promises that ultimately there will be six books in the Odd Thomas series and that "His end will prove to be there in his beginning, and his beginning in his end." Fittingly, the book then segues into the first chapter of Odd Thomas, so readers can see exactly what that beginning was. Chan's sketchbook work is also included, a nice behind-the-scenes touch for readers.

Despite its fictional timing set before the opening of the first novel in the series, In Odd We Trust is not the best introduction to the characters of Pico Mundo. New readers will want to check out Odd Thomas first before checking back here. The experience will be more rewarding that way.

-- John Hogan

Unlike others, I knew this was a manga comic in advance. However, this was an absolute waste of time and money. The story was boring and pointless. With all the exciting past adventures that have been mentioned throughout all the novels, this is all they could come up with? Where's the cross-eyed ferret, or starved alligator? No appearance by Little Ozzie, Chief Porter seems more like a yes man constantly hoping that Odd will save the day so he won't have to put in any effort, and Stormy and Odd talk about his secrets right next to people yet no one over hears them. Sure, it is only a comic, but I really expected at least some level of Koontz amazing ability to create a suspenseful story filled with exciting and deep characters. This comic absolutely failed to capture even a thimble full of character that so many love in the Odd series.

"In Odd We Trust" is another great addition to the "Odd Thomas" series. For those of you that are new to the series, I can only suggest reading the four novels first. For those of you that have already read the novels, here is where you need to pick up. This is more of the Odd that you know and love, but, seeing as how it IS a graphic novel, it is a much shorter read. As a result, it has an understandably faster pace. What helps to make up for the fast pace and lack of details (such as Odd's thoughts to himself) is the knowledge you already have of Odd, and the strange things he knows, does and thinks.

Overall, I enjoyed this because it helps to give you a little bit of the relationship between Odd and Stormy, while also giving you pieces of Odd's past that are mentioned and hinted at in the novels.

If you love the rest of the Odd Series, invest in this as well (you'll be happy you did). If you have read the Odd Thomas novels and enjoyed them, but aren't wowed by them, you should probably wander into a book store, and read it there.

To recap; Big fans must buy this. Not a big fan? Bum it off of someone that is.

Why would you begin a great series of novels, build a certain fan base around it, and then jump into the series midstream and change it all up for a totally different audience?! Was soooo looking forward to Odd's next adventure. This is BEYOND disappointment. You need to FIRE whoever talked you into this blunder, Dean. Go ahead and start a new series with new characters for comic lovers if you must, but finish Odd's story with traditional novels for those of us who've come to love Odd and still prefer to READ. Again...HUGELY disappointing.

Wow, people sure love to gripe about being ripped off and blah, blah, blah... This was a quick and enjoyable read by the pool while on vacaition. The creativity is a breath of fresh air, it was great to see an artists rendition of Odd and Stormy. You know people, it's not all about you! Maybe, just maybe the venue might reach someone who does not like to read long novels or who like this approach! Maybe it's time to start thinking outside the box and learn to appreaciate other forms of story telling. If you are so bent out of shape on being ripped off, why not give the book away on book mooch or donate it to your local library!

This is not worth the time. Odd is too a great character to be treated like this.