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geekwayne's review against another edition
2.0
'Beyonders Vol. 1: The Mapmakers' by Paul Jenkins with art by Wesley St. Claire is a graphic novel about a young boy obsessed with codes and the secret organization that wants to recruit him.
Jake lives in Alaska with his corgi and his aunt and uncle. He is in to conspiracies and codes like the Voynich Manuscript. What he doesn't know is that his life is about to change. Before he knows it, the things in his world aren't what they seem to be and he is off on worldwide adventures to use his codebreaking skills.
I liked parts of this. It started well, then kind of dived in to a ludicrous attempt to tie every weird thing on the planet together. I also didn't care for the art which had a really rushed feel about it. In some panels, the figures aren't completed and don't even have faces, like thumbnail sketches.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Aftershock Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Jake lives in Alaska with his corgi and his aunt and uncle. He is in to conspiracies and codes like the Voynich Manuscript. What he doesn't know is that his life is about to change. Before he knows it, the things in his world aren't what they seem to be and he is off on worldwide adventures to use his codebreaking skills.
I liked parts of this. It started well, then kind of dived in to a ludicrous attempt to tie every weird thing on the planet together. I also didn't care for the art which had a really rushed feel about it. In some panels, the figures aren't completed and don't even have faces, like thumbnail sketches.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Aftershock Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
jkenna1990's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for a free review copy of this book.
While I wasn't the biggest fan of this book, I do think it would make a good addition to a graphic novel section in any library. It was very interesting and I liked the concept. I just don't think that it was very well executed. The first 40 or so pages were great and then it went down hill from there. While I think that the story devolved into a convoluted mess, there was something to it and the artwork was gorgeous. I think that fans of X-Files, Indiana Jones, or the Delilah Dirk series would probably like this series as well.
While I wasn't the biggest fan of this book, I do think it would make a good addition to a graphic novel section in any library. It was very interesting and I liked the concept. I just don't think that it was very well executed. The first 40 or so pages were great and then it went down hill from there. While I think that the story devolved into a convoluted mess, there was something to it and the artwork was gorgeous. I think that fans of X-Files, Indiana Jones, or the Delilah Dirk series would probably like this series as well.
lyleblosser's review against another edition
4.0
This all-too-short series was a lot of fun and kept me laughing and scratching my head and thoroughly enjoying things all the way through. Has anyone deciphered the secret message contained in the page glyphs? Is there going to be a Beyonders Vol. 2? (I hope so).
ellelainey's review against another edition
5.0
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley
~
The Beyonders, Vol. 1, by Paul Jenkins
★★★★★
120 Pages
I'll be honest, my first reaction was that this was weird. It's a little cheesy, with a snarky POV, and I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not. But the more I read, the more I enjoyed it. I love nothing more than a good conspiracy theory, and this one was just full of it.
There were a lot of surprises, but I also really loved the way that it told the stories of the historical conspiracies, mixed in with the current storyline. It was original, clever, a really different style of story, with a captivating plot. The characters were interesting and fun. I loved the dog. I can't wait to read more.
Copy received through Netgalley
~
The Beyonders, Vol. 1, by Paul Jenkins
★★★★★
120 Pages
I'll be honest, my first reaction was that this was weird. It's a little cheesy, with a snarky POV, and I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not. But the more I read, the more I enjoyed it. I love nothing more than a good conspiracy theory, and this one was just full of it.
There were a lot of surprises, but I also really loved the way that it told the stories of the historical conspiracies, mixed in with the current storyline. It was original, clever, a really different style of story, with a captivating plot. The characters were interesting and fun. I loved the dog. I can't wait to read more.
starryeved's review against another edition
2.0
Excellent premise, mediocre execution with little to no character development/complexity, and extremely choppy pacing. All style, limited substance.
(An extra star for the premise.)
(An extra star for the premise.)
jkenna90's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for a free review copy of this book.
While I wasn't the biggest fan of this book, I do think it would make a good addition to a graphic novel section in any library. It was very interesting and I liked the concept. I just don't think that it was very well executed. The first 40 or so pages were great and then it went down hill from there. While I think that the story devolved into a convoluted mess, there was something to it and the artwork was gorgeous. I think that fans of X-Files, Indiana Jones, or the Delilah Dirk series would probably like this series as well.
While I wasn't the biggest fan of this book, I do think it would make a good addition to a graphic novel section in any library. It was very interesting and I liked the concept. I just don't think that it was very well executed. The first 40 or so pages were great and then it went down hill from there. While I think that the story devolved into a convoluted mess, there was something to it and the artwork was gorgeous. I think that fans of X-Files, Indiana Jones, or the Delilah Dirk series would probably like this series as well.
carroq's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the conspiracy theories angle of the book. There is a lot of room for the creators to play with different theories down the line. It was interesting to see how they pulled some of them together in this volume. Jake, the young man that is the center of this story, is kind of a boring character to me. He grew on me by the end of this volume, but not enough to really care about his story. His flatulent dog seemed to have more personality at times.
I'm torn on the art. Some of it is great. I particularly liked how there were symbols strewn throughout the book and am curious what importance they might end up having. At other times, the art seemed incomplete or rushed. That might just be a stylistic choice that didn't pay off for me though. I found this to be a decent enough story, but it didn't catch my attention enough to want to continue the series.
I liked the conspiracy theories angle of the book. There is a lot of room for the creators to play with different theories down the line. It was interesting to see how they pulled some of them together in this volume. Jake, the young man that is the center of this story, is kind of a boring character to me. He grew on me by the end of this volume, but not enough to really care about his story. His flatulent dog seemed to have more personality at times.
I'm torn on the art. Some of it is great. I particularly liked how there were symbols strewn throughout the book and am curious what importance they might end up having. At other times, the art seemed incomplete or rushed. That might just be a stylistic choice that didn't pay off for me though. I found this to be a decent enough story, but it didn't catch my attention enough to want to continue the series.
homosexual's review against another edition
3.0
I was given a copy from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
This series was very average. The idea of conspiracy theories all being connected is a very interesting premise, but I don't feel like it lands very well. At some parts it even feels hokey.
The art is beautiful and I mostly kept reading so I could say I gave it a fair shot, I probably won't continue with the series unless I hear rave things about later volumes.
This series was very average. The idea of conspiracy theories all being connected is a very interesting premise, but I don't feel like it lands very well. At some parts it even feels hokey.
The art is beautiful and I mostly kept reading so I could say I gave it a fair shot, I probably won't continue with the series unless I hear rave things about later volumes.
fixatedonfiction's review against another edition
4.0
This book was pretty amazing. I love these sort of mysteries and really cannot wait until I read Volume 2. It was a mixture of The Library, National Treasure, Indiana Jones, and so many of my other favourite shows and movies. I love anything that has clues and puzzles.
kenali_woods's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. I think it has a lot of potential and I love reading about mysteries and conspiracy theories even if I don’t believe them myself. Bonus star added for the corgi!