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dipt_in_folly's review against another edition
1.0
Devoted 'Penny Dreadful' fan here. It's my favorite television show by far. Beautiful sets, amazing characters, superb acting, awesome setting, great plots, etc. The predecessor to this graphic novel, 'The Awaking', definitely did the television series justice. 'The Beauteous Evil', not so much. The drawings seem rushed and make it difficult to interpret what exactly is going on in each image. Surprising since the same artist illustrated 'The Awaking' and those were noticeably better. Maybe they were pressed for time with this one? Not sure. Besides the illustrations, I found 'Beauteous Evil' committed two egregious sins that I can't ignore.
*SPOILERS* .......
.......
Sin Number One:
Lily and Ethan. Um....first off...did Chris King forget all about Lily's personality and character development in the television show? She is fiercely independent and struggling to find herself in a world ruled by the patriarchy. She is reborn. The woman who loved Ethan (Brona) is for all intents and purposes, dead. She is no longer Brona. She is Lily. And I find it hard to believe that a woman who has been through all that Lily has would suddenly say to herself, "Oh guess what, I'm in love with Ethan."
.....Not to mention the fact that I ship Ethan and Vanessa together forever and anything that does not support that makes me bitter. Is Vanessa dead? Yes. Do I expect Ethan to live a life fighting paranormal foes and remaining devoted to her forever? Yes. Sorry not sorry.
Sin Number Two:
You. killed. Sir. Malcolm. I'm pretty pissed about it. You killed Vanessa in the show (which I'll obviously never recover from) and now you go and kill Sir Malcolm?! Why though?! I find him integral to the series, the lynch pin that brought all of the main players together, and you eliminate him?! No, thank you. As hard as it is to accept a 'Penny Dreadful' universe without Vanessa...it's impossible to accept one without Sir Malcolm. ....Plus I wanted him to be in a relationship with Cat, buuuuut I guess that's not happening now *angry face*.
There's no Vanessa, no Dorian, no Lyle, no Sir Malcolm, no Sembene, no creature. Who the heck are you leaving me with? Ethan, Lily, Victor, and Cat? Don't get me wrong, I think they're all great characters, but I feel like that lineup is a little lackluster.
In my opinion, if you're a devoted fan of the 'Penny Dreadful' show, I think you'll enjoy 'The Awaking', but won't be pleased by 'The Beauteous Evil'. I'm curious to see what other fans think.
*SPOILERS* .......
.......
Sin Number One:
Lily and Ethan. Um....first off...did Chris King forget all about Lily's personality and character development in the television show? She is fiercely independent and struggling to find herself in a world ruled by the patriarchy. She is reborn. The woman who loved Ethan (Brona) is for all intents and purposes, dead. She is no longer Brona. She is Lily. And I find it hard to believe that a woman who has been through all that Lily has would suddenly say to herself, "Oh guess what, I'm in love with Ethan."
.....Not to mention the fact that I ship Ethan and Vanessa together forever and anything that does not support that makes me bitter. Is Vanessa dead? Yes. Do I expect Ethan to live a life fighting paranormal foes and remaining devoted to her forever? Yes. Sorry not sorry.
Sin Number Two:
You. killed. Sir. Malcolm. I'm pretty pissed about it. You killed Vanessa in the show (which I'll obviously never recover from) and now you go and kill Sir Malcolm?! Why though?! I find him integral to the series, the lynch pin that brought all of the main players together, and you eliminate him?! No, thank you. As hard as it is to accept a 'Penny Dreadful' universe without Vanessa...it's impossible to accept one without Sir Malcolm. ....Plus I wanted him to be in a relationship with Cat, buuuuut I guess that's not happening now *angry face*.
There's no Vanessa, no Dorian, no Lyle, no Sir Malcolm, no Sembene, no creature. Who the heck are you leaving me with? Ethan, Lily, Victor, and Cat? Don't get me wrong, I think they're all great characters, but I feel like that lineup is a little lackluster.
In my opinion, if you're a devoted fan of the 'Penny Dreadful' show, I think you'll enjoy 'The Awaking', but won't be pleased by 'The Beauteous Evil'. I'm curious to see what other fans think.
em_jay's review against another edition
5.0
Volume 2 picks up where the series ended. If you loved the Showtime series, then the graphic novels will surely fill that longing for more Dreadfuls.
merricatct's review against another edition
4.0
I’m still not over this show being cancelled, but these graphic novels help a lot. Almost everything I wanted to happen, happened in this volume! I can’t wait to see what happens next. I’m so glad I get to spend more time in the Demimonde with these beautiful, broken characters.
otherwyrld's review against another edition
3.0
There was a hell of a lot to like in this sequel to the sadly departed TV series. The artwork was spectacular and not only captured the likenesses of the actors from the series, there was also a sense of momentum throughout that really carried the story. The characters felt very true to what we saw on the screen.
My only caveat about the plot is that it felt far too much like the 1999 film The Mummy, which is hardly surprising given that the TV series was based around the old Hammer Horror films. This plot line was also set up in the final episodes of the series, so it was a natural place for the story to go to.
However, my biggest issue was that we have two forces of darkness competing with each other to end the world, and I had a hard time distinguishing which was which. Is Lucifer, Set and Amunet on the same side or opposite sides? Whichever it is, the news is not good for humanity.
I hope that this series continues because there are still so many stories to tell.
My only caveat about the plot is that it felt far too much like the 1999 film The Mummy, which is hardly surprising given that the TV series was based around the old Hammer Horror films. This plot line was also set up in the final episodes of the series, so it was a natural place for the story to go to.
However, my biggest issue was that we have two forces of darkness competing with each other to end the world, and I had a hard time distinguishing which was which. Is Lucifer, Set and Amunet on the same side or opposite sides? Whichever it is, the news is not good for humanity.
I hope that this series continues because there are still so many stories to tell.
otherwyrld's review against another edition
2.0
A rather confusing continuation of the series. The artwork tried too hard to be horrifying and ended up being muddy.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
3.0
Yay. S4 of Penny Dreadful... or what it sorta could have been.
I love this show and I am thrilled to see this continuing on. I KNEW the Egyptian storyline had to do with Vanessa and it would segway into The Mummy character.
I love how this show handles all the horror characters and this comic is so far slaying in that aspect.
I want to destroy Dracula.
I love this show and I am thrilled to see this continuing on. I KNEW the Egyptian storyline had to do with Vanessa and it would segway into The Mummy character.
I love how this show handles all the horror characters and this comic is so far slaying in that aspect.
I want to destroy Dracula.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
4.0
HOLY SHIT THAT CLIFFHANGER.
I love where this is going. However I feel like this is moving super fast. But then again, it's in comic form... and I am a fast reader.
Nonetheless, I need Vol 3.
I love where this is going. However I feel like this is moving super fast. But then again, it's in comic form... and I am a fast reader.
Nonetheless, I need Vol 3.
spiritedstardust's review against another edition
2.0
I read this as I thought Vanessa would be in it - she's not.