Reviews

Tartarus Volume 1 by Johnnie Christmas

meetyouineveryplace's review

adventurous challenging funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

sucreslibrary's review

3.0

gorgeous art + an exciting setting but simply has too much going on for how short it is. there's a lot of characters brought in with very little introduction and they aren't given time to properly develop. by the end of this volume i was pretty confused on who several key players were, where the plot was going or what the main character was even trying to achieve. it makes me sad because if it was given enough time i know i would love this world and i could spend so much time just enjoying the art. the twist at the end was also super cool! i just don't think i can go onto the second volume with such a shaky understanding of this world, the characters or the plot.

mlaaker's review

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0

obnorthrup's review

3.0

An interesting world and I agree with the Moebius comparisons, but the plot is a bit thin.

ratgrrrl's review

adventurous inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Visually stunning with eclectic aesthetics in the glorious science fantasy sphere, evoking all manner of historical and fictional wonders, particularly Jodorowksky and Moebius' brilliant Incal, and so confident and cool in its rich worldbuilding and weighty narrative peppered with ludicrous action and sprinkled with levity. This is a rainbow chrome fist to the brain pan.

This is genuinely one of my favourite comics I've ever read! I can't belive I only came across it by searching on random on Libby with my library card! I'm so very excited to dive into further volumes of this epic!

There are old and new conflicts and relationships from the immediate and personal to the historic and galactic in scale and intensity, all handled with style and then self-assuredness that comes from knowing what you want to do and absolutely pulling it off spectacularly.

Don't get me wrong, I love The Incal, but it's humour and storytelling have certainly aged. This in some ways feels like a spiritual successor for the Incal with The Expanse's quality and follow through.

Day one of the new year and I already know this is going to remain one of, if not my favourite comic of the year! 

doddyaboutbooks's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sooseiji's review

4.0

3.5 stars rounded up. Very cool graphics and colors. Expansive world building. Unfortunately, the break-neck speed makes it hard to follow. At times I wanted to shout SLOW DOWN. Need more time for information absorption and character development. If you like cool Sci-fi graphic novels, and are willing to go 100 miles an hour, worth the read.

lucie_b's review

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

keishasliterarylabyrinth's review

5.0

I. LOVED. IT. hen need more badass moms.

trike's review

2.0

This is some weird mash-up of European comics and the 60s New Wave sci-fi. It’s very much in the vein of [b:The Incal|10842223|The Incal|Alejandro Jodorowsky|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500033240l/10842223._SX50_.jpg|15756581] and other wacky Jodorowsky epics, or something like [b:The Empire of a Thousand Planets|11347727|The Empire of a Thousand Planets (Valérian and Laureline, #2)|Pierre Christin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347433904l/11347727._SX50_.jpg|44456467] (Valerian and Laureline), except a lot less coherent, with a messy cast of dozens that rotate through constantly. Ultimately unsatisfying for me on the story level, and the art is quite a mess, too, never clearly conveying what is happening. I kind of admire its ambition, but I just didn’t enjoy it when all is said and done.