Customer Reviews

Piranese: The Prison Planet

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

 

 

A fine draftsman, watercolourist and storyteller, Milo Manara is best known, in the US at least, for his (1) sex comedies, the Click series, Butterscotch, etc. which range from light and breezy to downright raunchy (regardless they are always fun), and (2) illustrated historically-based collaborations with the late Hugo Pratt (creator of "Corto Maltese"), "Indian Summer" and "El Gaucho." and the filmmaker Alejandro Jodoworsky ("Santa Sangre," "El Topo"), "Borgia."

"Piranese: the Prison Planet" falls into neither category: rather "Piranese" represents a disappointingly weak opening chapter in a sci-fi epic, the kind of which is serialized in the US in "Heavy Metal" Magazine (usually beautifully illustrated, though often meandering and often inconclusive). Ensuing chapters might get better, once Manara hits his stride with this particular story, but as far as opening chapters go... this really isn't his best work.

Based on amazing primary sources drawn from Pratt's research into colonial times in the Americas, Manara's collaborations with Hugo Pratt are highly recommended. If you are into 'raunch and roll' comedy, check out "Butterscotch," and the "Click" books. Check those out instead.

Brief nudity. This is supposed to be the opening chapter in a sci-fi epic, but no others have materialized as yet. The artwork is fantastic; Milo Manara never disappoints there. The story is interesting, and funny at times, but short. 52 pages in comic format is not much of a story. Still, it is worth a look. As far as I know, it is out of print, and never published in softcover, so it is something of a collector's item now.

This was a fun little first chapter with brief references to Greek and Hindu mythology, a giant Aztec pyramid looming over the city, and little jabs at western commercialism--nice costumes. Nothing profound, just a fun little read. Despite the link to violence and death, the brief nudity is more funny than erotic, and the characters cracked me up. One guy's raison d'etre was simply to be tortured twice and then blown up (you can see him lying on the cover). Was Manara exaggerating a racial/filmic stereotype when he did that? Beauty will get you far. I look forward to reading more silliness.

una estupenda obra del gran maestro Manara. 100% recomendable. Además el envío perfecto, en tiempo y calidad. GRACIAS

This is an excellent graphic book,very far above average in writing, and a total work of art in graphics.