Scan barcode
Reviews
Robert Bloch's That Hellbound Train by John L. Lansdale, Robert Bloch, Dave Wachter, Joe R. Lansdale
david_agranoff's review
4.0
This cool graphic novel is adapted from a classic Robert Bloch short story. I am assuming that Joe and John Lansdale are father and son, but not sure about that. I love Lansdale’s novels, but also like his comic books which have included some great Conan scripts. I read the original story many years ago so the comic did a great job of capturing the feeling of the story.
What a great tribute to a lesser known work by author most known for having written psycho. Even though Bloch was from the north- Wisconsin this story always felt southern. Lansdale captures a great vibe.
The art is fantastic. The train looks nasty and gives a vibe to the book overall. Quick read, but I loved it.
What a great tribute to a lesser known work by author most known for having written psycho. Even though Bloch was from the north- Wisconsin this story always felt southern. Lansdale captures a great vibe.
The art is fantastic. The train looks nasty and gives a vibe to the book overall. Quick read, but I loved it.
tobin_elliott's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This should have been a five-star for me. All the elements are there: Robert Bloch is a favourite author, and Joe R. Lansdale is as well. I'd go so far to say that Lansdale is one of a very small group of authors that I drop everything to read when he releases something new. Dave Wachter's art, while not a favourite, still manages to evoke both the day-to-day and the supernatural quite well.
As for the original story, I'm sure I've read it, as I've read virtually everything Bloch has written, but I'm guessing I read it so many years ago that I've forgotten it, which means I came into this story cold.
While there were nice touches throughout, both from brothers Lansdale and from Wachter, the whole story felt somewhat truncated. Martin's first meeting with the Conductor happened with seemingly little provocation—the Conductor just knew he wanted to meet—and Martin's subsequent rise in success was over in a few panels. And while I understand that this is not the main thrust of the story, I felt that Martin wasn't explored enough for me, as the reader, to truly care when he won or lost.
I love Bloch and Lansdale, and I love them because the two are both masters of both pacing and writing scenes that are rich and do so much. I haven't felt the same wonder when I've read Lansdale's comic work, which is a shame.
I'm sure there's a great Lansdale comic out there, but this isn't the one. It's okay, but it's not fantastic.
As for the original story, I'm sure I've read it, as I've read virtually everything Bloch has written, but I'm guessing I read it so many years ago that I've forgotten it, which means I came into this story cold.
While there were nice touches throughout, both from brothers Lansdale and from Wachter, the whole story felt somewhat truncated. Martin's first meeting with the Conductor happened with seemingly little provocation—the Conductor just knew he wanted to meet—and Martin's subsequent rise in success was over in a few panels. And while I understand that this is not the main thrust of the story, I felt that Martin wasn't explored enough for me, as the reader, to truly care when he won or lost.
I love Bloch and Lansdale, and I love them because the two are both masters of both pacing and writing scenes that are rich and do so much. I haven't felt the same wonder when I've read Lansdale's comic work, which is a shame.
I'm sure there's a great Lansdale comic out there, but this isn't the one. It's okay, but it's not fantastic.
More...