Reviews

Ministry of Space by Warren Ellis, Chris Weston, Michael Heisler, Laura Martin

unladylike's review

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2.0

In the introduction, Mark Millar insists this is Warren Ellis' best creator-owned comic - including Transmetropolitan. He also insists it's Chris Weston, the penciler's best work ever. I don't see what the big deal is. Millar must just be abusive with superlatives. This is certainly right up Ellis' alley, and is an interesting brief alternative history, imagining what would have happened if England had been the winner in the race to space, but that's all it is. "Ministry of Space" contains almost no character development or action whatsoever, which made it a pretty weak read for me. Are we to just blindly assume that nationalism and the race to space is really worth the lives and dollars lost?

beingshort's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

2.75

otherashley's review

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4.0

Interesting. Would have liked to see it a bit longer and more developed but interesting "what if" concept.

sizrobe's review

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2.0

An alternate history where Britain scooped up the Nazi rocket scientists instead of the USA. An interesting concept but Ellis doesn't really do much interesting with it. The art is good but can't save it from being a rather bland read.

dja777's review

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5.0

Captivating and chilling perspective on how England might have gone into space after WWII. Highly recommended, even if you don't usually read graphic novels.

acrisalves's review

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4.0

https://osrascunhos.com/2018/02/03/ministry-of-space-ellis-weston-e-martin/

Eis um volume visualmente arrebatador! Que os enredos de Warren Ellis são megalómanos já o sabia – entre Planetary, Trees ou Normal, o autor costuma presentear-nos com ideias bem desenvolvidas que partem de boas premissas! Em Ministry of Space não é só a premissa que é boa, mas também os desenhos são detalhados e esplendorosos, com belíssimas imagens do espaço, num estilo que parece mais clássico e que acompanha bem a história.

Na realidade alternativa de Ministry of Space os segredos científicos dos alemães foram roubados pela Inglaterra, fazendo com que se tornasse uma das potências tecnologicas mais avançadas do mundo, a primeira a ir à Lua e a desenvolver um Império no espaço – a concretização de um novo Império Britânico!

Com energia barata graças a motores nucleares, viagens ao espaço e uma colónia em Marte, o Império parece estar em plena expansão e auge de glória – mas um segredo demasiado negro esconde-se na origem do dinheiro usado para financiar a evolução tecnológica, um segredo que corrompe toda a glória alcançada.

Alguns elementos de Ministry of Space reflectem as tradicionais referências militares, com soldados corajosos e focados nos feitos heróicos, que aqui levam as suas acções ao extremo num misto de loucura e génio que inspira receio nos que os rodeiam. O volume começa com uma cena típica de soldados que se vêem entalados num cenário pouco provável (mas que mesmo assim ocorre) numa tira irónica que marca bem o tom inicial.

A partir daqui assistimos a uma cena heróica, materialização de um sonho militar, que contraria as normas de segurança e que, sendo desnecessária, reflecte a necessidade de realização bélica levada ao extremo. Grande parte destes grandes cenários de concretização bélica ocorrem em paisagens de idílica saúde campestre, complemento do sentido de perfeição cultural que se sente em todo o volume.

Como é habitual nas obras de Warren Ellis, Ministry of Space possui elementos de crítica social, com a construção de impérios militares fundados em razões obscuras onde se perpetuam os ideais de separação racial, reflexo de uma sociedade que se habituou a enaltecer determinadas culturas e características físicas.

barryhaworth's review

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5.0

I hunted down a copy of this graphic novel after seeing it mentioned in passing in an article in The Space Review about alternative history space stories. In this one the British, rather than the Americans, capture Wernher von Braun and the rest of the German rocket scientists, and proceed to use their expertise to establish British supremacy in Space post war. Beautifully illustrated, the story (though short) is entertaining, and has a surprising twist or two.

mark_cc's review

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4.0

I liked this a lot, and really just wished there was more! It wasn't perfect, particularly because the central mystery barely had time to develop into anything at all (I know I complain about deconstructed stories a lot, but maybe there could have been a mostly separate thread for a further three issues). There was more to explore here, like how at the end
Spoilerthis utopia UK had American-style segregation
? Everything just seemed a little threadbare.

watchingpreacher's review

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5.0

Warren Ellis does it again! This comic is a tribute to space, a look down a road not taken and a love-letter to lost opportunities. It also features wonderful art, and great storytelling. Highly recommended!

ktaborn's review

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Pro: it's only three issues. Con: it's only three issues. Alt-history where Britain gets the Nazi scientists after WW2 and leads the planet into the space age. I was attracted to it because it was only three issues, but the story needs more than that. It ended too abruptly for my tastes. But it is still an interesting read.