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peachani's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Murder, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, and Medical content
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, and Confinement
bookishrealm's review
4.0
I used to work with a patron at the library who loved the TV show The Strain. I never understood her obsession with it; however, when I saw that this was available on Hoopla I thought I would give it a try considering it's the spooky season.
WTF....
This was not what I was expecting. I mean I've read vampire stories, but not like this. I think that it's hard to continue to re-create a well known paranormal entity; however, The Strain does an excellent job recreating "our traditional" vampire lore. Its begins with a missing airplane returns to JFK airport and every single person on the plain appears to be dead, but there's no sign of struggle, toxicity in the blood, wounds, bruises...absolutely nothing. What starts off as a supposed terrorist attack spirals into something much darker and grittier.
One of my absolute favorite aspects of this comic book was the creativity and the "realness" of the characters. While I don't think that anyone would willing accept the reality of the situation as quickly as a our main character Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, I do like that we see him struggle to balance between his professional career, remaining sober, and being a good father. It made his character feel more three dimensional. While I don't want to delve too much into what this comic explores, it is told from two varying perspectives. It is gruesome and does not shy away from gore, blood, and violence. It sets up the world and plot for future volumes and ended in a cliff hanger that had me instantly checking out the second volume.
In terms of artwork, I thought that the penciling was interesting. The panels that were done to illustrate the past of one of the characters were a little bit more on the grittier side which I had to adjust too (I also think that this could have been related to the content of this particular storyline). It definitely was enjoyable and I'm looking forward to seeing more of it in the second volume.
If you want a different take on vampires I would definitely recommend checking this out. I also plan on checking out the TV show.
WTF....
This was not what I was expecting. I mean I've read vampire stories, but not like this. I think that it's hard to continue to re-create a well known paranormal entity; however, The Strain does an excellent job recreating "our traditional" vampire lore. Its begins with a missing airplane returns to JFK airport and every single person on the plain appears to be dead, but there's no sign of struggle, toxicity in the blood, wounds, bruises...absolutely nothing. What starts off as a supposed terrorist attack spirals into something much darker and grittier.
One of my absolute favorite aspects of this comic book was the creativity and the "realness" of the characters. While I don't think that anyone would willing accept the reality of the situation as quickly as a our main character Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, I do like that we see him struggle to balance between his professional career, remaining sober, and being a good father. It made his character feel more three dimensional. While I don't want to delve too much into what this comic explores, it is told from two varying perspectives. It is gruesome and does not shy away from gore, blood, and violence. It sets up the world and plot for future volumes and ended in a cliff hanger that had me instantly checking out the second volume.
In terms of artwork, I thought that the penciling was interesting. The panels that were done to illustrate the past of one of the characters were a little bit more on the grittier side which I had to adjust too (I also think that this could have been related to the content of this particular storyline). It definitely was enjoyable and I'm looking forward to seeing more of it in the second volume.
If you want a different take on vampires I would definitely recommend checking this out. I also plan on checking out the TV show.
whatsheread's review
Having read the entire series when the books were first released, this reading of the graphic novel was nothing more than an opportunity to see the story in pictures, as Guillermo Del Toro imagined it to be as he was writing the novels. Anyone else looking to do the same will not be disappointed. Similarly, fans of horror will find much to love about the graphic rendering of this creepy story.
It must be stated that while Del Toro himself calls this a vampire story, the illustrations prove without a doubt that these nasty creatures are not vampires. The tentacles protruding from their mouths are all the visual proof one needs to realize this. Then there is the method by which the creatures reproduce. Again, this has nothing to do with the vampire mythology but more with the zombie myths. If anything, to call this series a vampire story does the series a disservice because the creatures are much nastier than any of the vampire iterations established throughout the years.
One other thing to strike readers perusing the graphic novel is the characters themselves. There is an otherworldly aspect about all of the illustrations that hints at the darkness to come, both literally as the story progresses and figuratively in the characters’ actions. All of the characters appear larger than life, more cartoonish than realistic, but rather than making them clownish, these details help showcase the stakes each character faces and the huge leaps of faith and development they must make if they stand a chance of survival.
The graphic novel version of The Strain is a faithful rendering of the original story with the added bonus of terrifying images sanctioned by the authors. These illustrations drive home the point that these things are no longer human and a true scourge on society. Having the visual cues to coincide with the written ones makes The Strain one of the scarier novels to read. In other words, it is something true horror fans should not miss.
It must be stated that while Del Toro himself calls this a vampire story, the illustrations prove without a doubt that these nasty creatures are not vampires. The tentacles protruding from their mouths are all the visual proof one needs to realize this. Then there is the method by which the creatures reproduce. Again, this has nothing to do with the vampire mythology but more with the zombie myths. If anything, to call this series a vampire story does the series a disservice because the creatures are much nastier than any of the vampire iterations established throughout the years.
One other thing to strike readers perusing the graphic novel is the characters themselves. There is an otherworldly aspect about all of the illustrations that hints at the darkness to come, both literally as the story progresses and figuratively in the characters’ actions. All of the characters appear larger than life, more cartoonish than realistic, but rather than making them clownish, these details help showcase the stakes each character faces and the huge leaps of faith and development they must make if they stand a chance of survival.
The graphic novel version of The Strain is a faithful rendering of the original story with the added bonus of terrifying images sanctioned by the authors. These illustrations drive home the point that these things are no longer human and a true scourge on society. Having the visual cues to coincide with the written ones makes The Strain one of the scarier novels to read. In other words, it is something true horror fans should not miss.
aoutramafalda's review
5.0
Creepy and Gory covers. Volume 1 has the 1st to the 11th issue of this comic. I started reading it knowing that was about vampires and some sort of pandemic virus. I was also curious because the original book is written by [a:Guillermo del Toro|167605|Guillermo del Toro|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1244751075p2/167605.jpg] (and Chuck Hogan's - [b:The Strain|6065215|The Strain (The Strain Trilogy, #1)|Guillermo del Toro|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1326225354s/6065215.jpg|6241525] ). Before finishing the volume 1 I've also saw the first episode of the TV-show/series.
I love the artwork. One issue I have with many comics and graphic novels is beautiful covers and not so pleasing artwork on the inside. But this is one is spot on. The colours and the contrast really help setting the tone of creepiness of the story. The mixture of dark colours really help to deliver a brutal and violent story. Some scenes look like nightmare material!
It all starts with an air-plane full of dead people. Mysterious dead people. Nobody knows why they are dead. Upon this the main character is presented.Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (what a name!) working for the Center for Disease Control.
He is the chief investigator of this operation, but he's life is quite a turmoil. Eph is an ex-alcoholic juggling between his job and family (mainly his son).
In the second issue a coffin is found in the air-plane cargo. There are a few survivors from this mysterious situation whom are released and sent home.
There is this morgue scene where you discover that the death people have tiny and strange marks in their necks, almost invisible to the naked eye. All bodies are drain from blood and, oddly, despite they are death for hours, the bodies are still warm and without rigor mortis.
Another extremely important character is an old men named Abraham Setrakian. Jew from Romania, Holocaust survivor, owner of a little pawnshop is the only one who knows what is going on and have some hints how to stop this pandemic infection of vampires. (I actually enjoyed a lot the parts about Abraham life, they are scattered through the different issues and give helpful hints about what's going on and how he knows so much about everything).
One of the best and scariest parts is when the death came to life in the morgue. (I actually saw this scene in the first episode of the tv show and sh*t is awesome too!). They come to life and they first urge is to find their love ones... and feed upon them. When they finish feeding on the blood they infect the people.
By the forth issue of this comics they decide to assume that it's a parasite - in the comics it's not very clear, but in the tv show you can see worms, white worms - the parasites - on the dead/vampires.
In issue 6 you learn that are 7 original vampires called The Ancients. Three are in the old world (Europe), Three in the new (USA - where the action happens) and the 7th is the one whom is Abraham arch-enemy. Is also the only one whom doesn't hide from the humans. These vampires (as usual) don't get a long, that's why they are divided - I suppose. It's not very clear why these vampires don't get a long and white they have a truce. Or even why the fact that this 7th vampire - the master, come to USA will begin a war between vampires.
It was only possible for this 7th vampire come to USA because there is an economic group called The Stoneheart Group led by Mr Eldritch Palmer that make a deal with the vampire. Mr Eldritch thinks he can control the vampires. However his goals are not very clear.
There are a few questions that are not answered during this volume, that got me questioning what's going on. I will be for sure reading the rest of the comics and also keep an eye on the tv show. I'm already looking for the original trilogy to add to my tbr list.
I totally recommend these comics for anyone who likes scary vampires and horror stories.
Can also be read in my blog
jameseckman's review
2.0
I was hoping Del Toro did the artwork, no such luck. Just another vampire apocalypse graphic novel.
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