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The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch
by
Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author),
Michael Zulli
Come, come and hear of the strange and terrible tale of Miss Finch, an exacting woman befallen by mystery and abduction deep under the streets of London New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman delivers another stunning hardcover graphic novel with longtime collaborator Michael Zulli (Creatures of the Night, The Sandman). This is the first comics adaptation of his po...more
Hardcover, 51 pages
Published
October 10th 2007
by Dark Horse Comics
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This book is a totally unnecessary and almost belittling graphic version of one of Gaiman's least affecting short stories. I picked it up from the library, because that is cheaper than shelling out the fifteen bucks for a hardcover version, and that is the only reason I'm not slapping this with one star. Maybe it's unfair, but how much money I waste on a waste of time has something to do with my enjoyment. That I could toss this into the book drop with no fines received makes it ok in my book. E...more
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This was a beautifully drawn graphic novel version of one of Gaiman's short stories. I remembered the story well from his short story collections, and it was a delight to see it brought to life visually. I wouldn't mind seeing him give more of his stories this treatment.
This graphic novel definitely left me wanting more. I loved the sense of delving into a seldom-seen underworld of London, only to find a circus. I understand that it was taken from the pages of author Neil Gaiman's Smoke and Mirrors, but it felt like watching the trailer for a film. I got all the flavor and the characters, but the greater story in which they reside eluded me. I hope to find more of this story in graphic novel form, and to learn more of what happened to Mrs. Finch after the end o...more
I just finished this graphic novel this morning, and I really liked it. I remember the story from one of Neil's collections vaguely (I've read too many of his stories to keep them all straight) and I really thought the premise was interesting and unique, and after reading some of the comments and seeing them comment on the artwork, I agree and disagree with their opinions. The artwork was gorgrous and a perfect match to Neil's writing style- dark, hauntingly harsh, and mysterious- so the artwo...more
Uuugggghh. Everything about this "graphic novel" is insulting and annoying. I'm a long time Neil Gaiman fan,and I was drawn by the cover art (an inky, softly rendered image of a wild woman caressing a sabretooth tiger), so naturally I was pretty excited to find this at the library. Unfortunately, The Facts In the Case of Blah Blah Blah was a ten minute waste of my brain space.
Disappointingly, Gaiman seems to be cashing in on his name with this book. I wonder if it would have be...more
Disappointingly, Gaiman seems to be cashing in on his name with this book. I wonder if it would have be...more
CROSSOVER SUNDAY
This is a graphic novel adaption of a short story by Neil Gaiman.This is one of those fourth wall stories where Neil himself is part of the story.
While in London,working on a script, the main character (never actually referred to as Neil but has an uncanny resemblance) gets a call from two friends asking him to join them as they entertain a friend.This event more from obligation than desire and they are hoping his addition to the party will make it more e...more
This is a graphic novel adaption of a short story by Neil Gaiman.This is one of those fourth wall stories where Neil himself is part of the story.
While in London,working on a script, the main character (never actually referred to as Neil but has an uncanny resemblance) gets a call from two friends asking him to join them as they entertain a friend.This event more from obligation than desire and they are hoping his addition to the party will make it more e...more
This is the story, as the title suggests, about the disappearance of a woman. It's not a mystery; the characters aren't trying to find her. It's simply the facts. The journey towards that end has a lot of interesting scenery, and the end is interesting. Nothing is explained, of course, and the reader and the characters both are left confused. But it's a good kind of confused.
Interesting story--but since it's adapted from a short story by Neil Gaiman, that's to be expected. Also since...more
Interesting story--but since it's adapted from a short story by Neil Gaiman, that's to be expected. Also since...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
The merits of this clever, witty, and slightly lurid and lascivious little short story are only enhanced by its presentation as a comic book. Much better, and far more brainy, than watching a half hour TV show. I'd somewhere gotten the impression that this was a children's book. Definitely not. It has furthered my desire, as did 'Mr. Punch,' to read more of Gaiman's adult fiction.
'Miss Finch' is an alibi for a priggish biogeologist teamed up with a Gaiman-like author on a blind d...more
'Miss Finch' is an alibi for a priggish biogeologist teamed up with a Gaiman-like author on a blind d...more
Well.
I adore Gaiman, will read or listen to nearly anything he's done, and in fact am still catching up on some of his smaller works and short stories. The version of this story that appeared in Smoke and Mirrors just seems more cohesive. In this graphic novel version, the story feels disjointed and scattered. The best thing about it is the art by Michael Zulli, and even that sometimes just feels like a series of circus drawings. I've had this little book on my Gaiman shelf for at l...more
I adore Gaiman, will read or listen to nearly anything he's done, and in fact am still catching up on some of his smaller works and short stories. The version of this story that appeared in Smoke and Mirrors just seems more cohesive. In this graphic novel version, the story feels disjointed and scattered. The best thing about it is the art by Michael Zulli, and even that sometimes just feels like a series of circus drawings. I've had this little book on my Gaiman shelf for at l...more
I loved this book! I was immediately captured by the story... luckily it was the perfect length to be able to read in one sitting. Oh... and the artwork was gorgeous!
In case you hadn't heard, I am a big fan of Neil Gaiman. After I read THE LAST TEMPTATION I was also a big fan of Michael Zulli. However, compared with their previous collaboration, THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF THE DEPARTURE OF MISS FINCH just didn't do it for me. Yes, the art was nice and the story was interesting, but I like resolution, and MISS FINCH just left too many things unsaid and unexplaiend for my liking. It was also very short (which is not necessarily a bad thing). My thoughts might imp...more
Having once read this in short story form, I was immensely gratified to see it appear as a graphic presentation. The artwork was interesting and muted – not the high gloss and crisp lines you’re used to seeing in modern-day comics. But it was necessary for this particular and served it well. I love that Gaiman tells it to us as if it happened to him personally. His touch for bringing the reader inside his world is incredible. The creepy circus, the disbelief and cynicism of the spectators and ca...more
I'd already read this when it was but one of many short stories in Gaiman's Fragile Things collection. Soooo, i felt slightly cheated to realize it wasn't a brand new comic. my fault. i suppose. The art was neat, but not a style i seek out (very messy/rough). While it is a charming little story, reminding me of clive barkers dark back alleys, and the illustrated man's story of lions eating a couple, with a dash of lovecraft "don't take my word for it" intro... it doesn't add up to some...more
THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF THE DEPARTURE OF MISS FINCH BY NEIL GAIMAN AND MICHAEL ZULLI: In this original story from Neil Gaiman and Michael Zulli, who have collaborated before on graphic novels, with see the story of Miss Finch and her enigmatic disappearance as recounted through the eyes and memories of those who witnessed it.
The tale begins with the narrator and his two friends, a couple, who wish him to join them and Miss Finch on a fun night out. The man grudging agrees and is s...more
The tale begins with the narrator and his two friends, a couple, who wish him to join them and Miss Finch on a fun night out. The man grudging agrees and is s...more
A bit of atmospheric trifle by Gaiman, abetted (though not as well as he could be) by Michael Zulli on the art. A Felliniesque "Twilight Zone" episode (albeit for premium cable), it's pretty enough and moody enough to enjoy, but probably not for $14 in hardcover.
Recommended (second-hand) to fans of Gaiman and urban fantasy.
(Postscript: Upon a bit of consideration, this may be one of those Gaiman tales that lends itself less well to visualization in a graphic n...more
Recommended (second-hand) to fans of Gaiman and urban fantasy.
(Postscript: Upon a bit of consideration, this may be one of those Gaiman tales that lends itself less well to visualization in a graphic n...more
Odd and interesting science fiction, graphic novel. The narrator meets a rather irritating woman who is only concerned with her job as a bioecologist. He goes with her and another couple to a (literally) underground circus where the acts appear to be rather mundane. But when "Miss Finch" is plucked from the audience and given her life's wish, to discover some of the world's long-lost animals, she mysteriously disappears with the rest of the circus.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Very weird...and yet I couldn't help myself but to keep reading. I also hated the artwork in the beginning but began to really love it along the way. I suppose that is what happens when we view something that is different from us...and then it grows on us. :) I realize that if I read the short story that this depicts I may enjoy it more. I didn't know, until I finished reading it, that it was based on one of Gaiman's short stories.
Really, Neil? I felt like I had already read this story several times (having read most of Neil Gaiman's other works) and was annoyed by the self-referential attempts at blurring the lines between fiction and personal history, and even more annoyed by one of the characters' attempts at cleverly justifying animal abuse by making a horrible heteronormative joke. The art was great but Gaiman's writing has rarely been this bad.
I found this book very disappointing. I love Neil Gaiman; this is the first thing I've stumbled across of his that didn't floor me.
Only a little intrigue was garnered with the start of the book; I hate to say, that had the book been written completely in sequence, I probably would not have finished it.
A few interesting ideas, but overall, completely underwhelming - which was incredibly disappointing.
Only a little intrigue was garnered with the start of the book; I hate to say, that had the book been written completely in sequence, I probably would not have finished it.
A few interesting ideas, but overall, completely underwhelming - which was incredibly disappointing.
This book was a long time coming, originally slated for release over a year ago, but this adaptation of a short story by Neil Gaiman is worth the wait. If you've liked Michael Zulli's adaptations of Mr Gaiman's writing in the past, then you're sure to like this.
The story, also available in Fragile Things, centers around a "true story", in so much as the characters are ostensibly Mr Gaiman and some of his friends. These friends are obliged to entertain an acquaintance, and a...more
The story, also available in Fragile Things, centers around a "true story", in so much as the characters are ostensibly Mr Gaiman and some of his friends. These friends are obliged to entertain an acquaintance, and a...more
Put Willy Wonka, Rocky Horror and Neil Gaiman in a blender, pulsate and this is what you get. An interesting tale in the sense that it just doesn't make sense, which is part of it's appeal. I think having the book not make much sense, bonds the reader to the characters, because the characters seem just as confused as the readers about the story they are in.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Had "read" this short story already in the Audio CD collection "Fragile Things," so reading the illustrated version was definitely different. Very interesting indeed, I enjoyed it! (I'll also say that I thought the narrator in the audio version conveyed the imagery shown in the illustrations very well through timing and tone of voice.)
It was interesting. Don't expect the richness of Gaiman's other works. This has more the quality of a strange dream that breaks suddenly into consciousness and departs with equal suddenness. If your local library has it, check it out. It's a good morsel for the graphic novel devotee, but I probably wouldn't buy a copy.
Sara
rated it
I just kinda grabbed this book last time I was in the library picking up the next few books in The Sandman series; This was next to it and the title grabbed me. This had a fun plot but what really got me was the artwork- it was amazing! I definitely wanted to keep reading and find out what happened to Miss Finch.
So... what the heck was the smoke monster? In other words, this was an enjoyable experience with a frustrating lack of answering questions. Not that this is surprising: if getting Joss'ed means a beloved character is killed off for no damn reason, Gaiman'ed is going "ooooh awesome...but WHY???".
First off, I'm not particularly enamoured with the art. Second, I remember first reading this story in Fragile Things and found it entertainin, fascinating. Now that I've read it again, I wonder what I was thinking. It was too much of a man's fantasy in the sense that here you have an uptight woman who lets her hair down, etc. I know that it meant more than that -- that what happened meant more to Miss Finch, but I think it was the illustrations that contributed to subtly making it less of that ...more
I didn't realize until I opened it up that this was a graphic version of a short story I had already read, but it was fun to see a visual interpretation of it. Now I just want to send him a list of my favorite short stories that need to be redistributed in graphic novel form!
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