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Jan 29, 2012

Tony rated it:

Eh, for 4 issues I figured that there would be more story. The art is great and the story is original, but I was expecting more...

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Dec 21, 2011

Norman rated it:

Wizard Harry Dresden is hired as a police consultant in a bizarre murder at the Lincoln Zoo in Chicago. This is part of the ongoing Dresden Files series, taking place prior to the events of the first novel. I found Welcome to the Jungle to be a fast paced, exciting adventure. The format limits the amount of subplots and details that a novel contains, but nevertheless the characterizations seem to be a little more fleshed out than in other graphic novels of this length. The artwork is a good, More...

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Feb 19, 2009

Patricia rated it:

This could be either a teen or adult graphic novel, since the Dresden Files fiction titles are considered to be adult titles. But if you are a fan, you will want to read this first graphic novel of the Dresden Files, particularly since it's an original story that takes place before his first title Storm Front.

Although there is a lot of violence, it is not very explicit, which makes it more acceptable for teen readers. Since I am an avid fan of the series, I enjoyed it, and particu More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Feb 14, 2009

John rated it:

Though I am not a connoisseur of graphic novels (more commonly called comic books when I was a child) I picked this up on the strength of the author's reputation. I was not dissappointed. Once again Mr. Butcher provides a witty, fast-paced, spell-binding (no pun intended) story that grips the reader and won't let him go. Butcher collaborated with an up-and-coming artist on the actual flavor of the books, so we got a good look at what Dresden looks like in Butcher's mind. The only surprise th More...

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Nov 29, 2008

Dianna rated it:

My first graphic novel to actually get through, let alone really enjoy. I'd attribute it to already really liking the characters, but that didn't get me through the Odd Thomas graphic novel. I think attribution really goes to good writing and graphics. In the introduction to the graphic novel, the author notes that he's always pictured the Dresden Files in his head as a comic book anyway, so he was pleased to get this going.

This graphic novel totally stands alone as enjoyable to peop More...

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Jul 06, 2011

Sara rated it:

I actually read 2 of these graphic novels - Welcome to the Jungle and Storm Front Vol 1. I had read Storm Front in paperback a year or so ago and had not found myself really wanting to read more. It's funny how a graphic novel can change that. I now find myself wanting to read another Dresden File book. I can't remember what I didn't like about Storm Front but it could have been more about my mood than the book it's self.
Welcome to the Jungle is a pre-quel that Jim Butcher wrote exclusivel More...

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Dec 22, 2010

Erin rated it:

Not bad, but not really as engaging to me as the rest of the series. The story is good, the portrayal of the characters is acceptable- i.e. nothing wrong but tough to compare with the images in my head- and the art decent. I like my version of Murphy a litle better- a little rounder in the face, smaller, more compact, with shorter hair- which makes the contrast with some of her attitudes greater and thus more fun. But in all cases, none of the characters are blatantly wrong, such as sticking More...

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Jul 09, 2009

Shaun rated it:

I'm familiar with Butcher's Dresden Files, but I've never read any of the books. Reading the graphic novel, thus, became my first Dresden experience, and it's a bit of a mixed bag.

Welcome to the Jungle follows none other than the infamous Harry Dresden, sorcerer extraordinaire turned mystical detective, as he takes on yet another case: a brutal murder at the Chicago zoo with too many unanswered questions for the poor Chicago PD to handle; that's why they've called Dresden, because hi More...

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May 02, 2009

lynne rated it:

Jim Butcher admits in the introduction that in his head, Harry Dresden plays out in comic book / graphic novel form, and so he's really excited about the opportunity to "translate" his books into this medium. "Welcome to the Jungle" is a made-for-graphic-novel prequel to Storm Front, in celebration -- and anticipation of -- the books ebing converted into graphic novel form.

I don't appreciate this medium as much as I do a regular, good old book, I admit. Howev More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 04, 2008

Icats rated it:

Welcome to the Jungle takes place before Jim Butcher’s first book, Storm Front. Here our favorite paranormal detective and wizard, Harry Dresden, is called upon by the Chicago police to help investigate a brutal animal attack at the zoo that has left a security guard dead. But as you can probably guess, there appears to be something more of a supernatural nature behind this mauling. Once again, Harry finds himself the target of some pretty wicked dark forces as he tries to figure out who or what More...

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Nov 04, 2011

Craig rated it:

I was really weary of this graphic novel. I know the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” but Harry Dresden looks nothing like I pictured him. Still, I was intrigued by Welcome to the Jungle since it is a prequel written 2008 after the series finished its growing pains. I hoped it would be a good introduction to the series without the clunky writing in Storm Front and for the most part it is. I was also really pleased that Harry Dresden looks nothing like he does on the cover inside the boo More...

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Sep 04, 2011

Slayermel rated it:

This is the prequel to the “Dresden File” book series, which seem to be getting all sorts of fantastic reviews.
We meet Harry Dresden a local Chicago wizard and Private Investigator that the Chicago police call in for the cases that they are not fully equipped to handle.

Harry is called in to help handle a murder of a guard at the local zoo. The body appears to be mauled and the locals want to blame it on Moe the Male Gorilla as there is a trail of blood that leads to the More...

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May 09, 2010

The Flooze (Michelle M.) rated it:

Welcome to the Jungle is a prequel story to the Dresden Files, showing one of Harry’s earlier cases for Murph. The story is a little thin, but interesting nonetheless. The illustrations of Harry and the other characters are in line with my own imaginings, although the wizard is a little sterner-looking than he might be. There were also a few continuity issues (a missing staff here, missing glasses there).

What I found most distracting were the boxes detailing Harry’s inner monologue. More...

2 comments like (4 people liked it)

Dec 23, 2009

Nicholas added it

"http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1254921.html[return][return]This is a graphic novel based on a series of books by Jim Butcher which had a TV show as well; but it was all new to me, and I only got it because it is on the Hugo shortlist.[return][return]It's actually very good. Our hero, Harry Dresden, is a hardboiled private investigator who also happens to be a wizard, and is routinely called in to help solve mysterious cases in Chicago. The plot here, involving odd goings-on and strange deat More...

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Jan 15, 2009

Michele rated it:

A trademark blend of magic, noir and sarcasm Welcome to the Jungle is a full color example of why Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden is so popular.

A special consultant to the Chicago police, Harry is called in when a man is found dead at the zoo under mysterious circumstances. The brass wants to blame Moe the gorilla, put him down and be done with it. Special Investigations lead Karrin Murphy knows the evidence isn't adding up so she leaves the legwork that she can't explain to her bosses t More...

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Jun 25, 2010

Giovanni rated it:

Right off the bat I want to say how much I enjoyed this graphic novel. It opened a door for me that I didn’t expect to go through. I have heard of Jim Butcher and seen his novels on the NYT Bestseller Lists but had not given any of them a chance. What a big mistake. The graphic novel straightened all misconceptions of his characters and his writing style out for me. I am now a huge fan. Ardian Syaf did the artwork and is an awesome collaboration.
The main character, for the uninitiated like More...

2 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 20, 2011

Bookmom rated it:

Prequel to Storm Front, this is an original Harry Dresden story done in a graphic novel containing four chapters. The graphic stories from Storm Front are to be released soon.

This story centers around the killing of a guard at the zoo and the attempt to lead police to believe that a gorilla escaped from it's cage, killed the guard, and locked itself back in. Harry is given twenty-four hours to find out what really happened.

The graphics are well done, very close to what I imag More...

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Apr 22, 2009

Christopher rated it:

This pretty much a Butcher short-story in graphic novel form. The setting is before the first novel Storm Front. The story itself is a bit on the weak side - it doesn't seem to cover the humor that is in so important to the Dresden books. I guess Harry feels a little more ragged-edged and younger than the more competant Harry of say Turn Coat.

There are a few character sketch/concept art in the back of this volume that I think provides some extra insight into how the author sees the More...

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Oct 20, 2008

Sammy rated it:

Timeline wise, this would fit in to the earlier part of the Dresden Files series. Dresden is called in to investigate an odd murder at a zoo, and of course, things go downhill as only they can when he is involved. More murder, mayhem and magic ensue.

Well illustrated - I thought the graphics were spot on for the characters - and a good story. Well worth the read.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jan 17, 2010

Angel rated it:

I will open by saying that I have not read any of the Dresden Files novels, but I have heard of them enough. I do enjoy graphic novels, so this seemed like a good chance to read a tale of Harry Dresden in a format I enjoy. I was not disappointed. It was a good whodunit with plenty of action and the feel of a private detective story. If nothing else, Dresden stories seem a lot better than some of the crap that is passing for urban fantasy these days. The art was pretty good. It is a very fast pac More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 09, 2009

Rebecca rated it:

Aside from inconsistencies with Storm Front (and the series in general), it was a good read. I'm not sure I like the images, though. Syaf doesn't really seem to know how to draw women, and Harry's dealing with Murphy, a female zookeeper, and a bunch of hags. It was a recipe for disaster graphically.

Having read most, if not all, of the Dresden Files novels, I found that my mental image of most things didn't really match up. I'd complain, but Butcher says up front that he has always s More...

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May 27, 2009

Eric rated it:

This is a good introduction into the world of Harry Dresden, a wizard working as a police consultant in Chicago. The Dresden Files are a series of suspense/mystery/crime solving stories set in modern-day Chicago, with a supernatural twist - consider it an adult, American version of Harry Potter doing the grungy private detective routine.

I have really enjoyed the books I have come across so far - written in a 1st-person style with good humor and suspense.

This graphic nove More...

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Feb 18, 2011

Anthony rated it:

This is a wonderful prequel to the Dresden Files. It's not often that authors of novels get to write the comic books based on their books (although it seems to be happening a little more frequently now with Marvel's adaptations of King, Hamilton and Card books that the authors at least have a hand in), so I was glad to see Butcher not only approved of the prequel but wrote it himself.

Because it's a prequel, the only on-going characters we get to see in action are Harry, Bob the Skull, More...

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Mar 22, 2009

Theresa rated it:

This is a graphic novel that takes place before the first book in the Dresden Files. I enjoyed both the story and the illustrations.

Something is loose at the Lincoln Park Zoo that has mauled and killed a security guard. Everyone wants to blame the ape but when Harry is called in by Murphy (head of Special Investigations) he discovers that something much more sinister is afoot. What with more killings and now being hunted himself, Harry must find out what supernatural presence is l More...

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Apr 27, 2009

Mandy rated it:

The graphic novel takes place before Storm Front, the first book in the series.

I'm impressed with it for the most part. There were a few small things that I didn't think quite matched the book, but not enough to make a fuss about and to ruin the enjoyment of it.

The characters look pretty much like I expected them to. Of course, being a prequel of sorts, there were only five characters(if you count Mister and Bob) that come back in the novels.

I also felt tha More...

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Aug 14, 2010

Anne rated it:

This story was written exclusively for comics and is a good read. I like the fact that these are in full colour throughout. It's the same artist as the other graphic novel in the same series and he does a good job capturing the tone and mood of the storyline. It moves fast, and is a very easy read, a good introduction to the series if you haven't read any of the books as yet, which I haven't. Both of the original covers for each single issue are included - I prefer the alternative covers by Chri More...

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Jan 27, 2011

Music_lover3 rated it:

This was pretty good, and I liked the plot. A little goofy, but still sound and realistic enough for the suspension of disbelief. I liked how they drew Dresden, not so much Murphy, I don't think they were quite accurate with her. But still, the artwork was pretty consistent throughout, which was a plus. I think it's funny though that they show pictures of blood and gore and yet they put symbols in place of a curse word. Interesting to see exactly where people's priorities lie. And of course Dres More...

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Oct 23, 2008

Alesia rated it:

I've missed Harry Dresden. This was a great read, and the artwork is gorgeous. Looking forward to more graphic novel adventures with Chicago's Own Wizard.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 30, 2011

Sarah rated it:

When I saw that this was a prequel to the Dresden files, I was hoping that I would get to see Harry as a teenager (and you do, briefly). Unfortunately, for me , this takes place not long before the events of Storm Front and gives you an idea of how Harry and Murphy got used to working together (even though it still isn't about their first case together). There story is well designed both graphically and in respects to plot. It was a bit too short for my tastes, but it did have to fit in a limite More...

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Sep 15, 2010

Mo rated it:

It was a fast read, considering it's mostly imagery. The storyline wasn't very gripping, but the author's intro about how he originally envisioned The Dresden Files in his head as a graphic novel/comic book was interesting. I don't know why this is being touted as a prequel to Storm Front (book 1) since it's not an origin story of how Harry and detective Murphy first met and why the Chicago police department decided to add a wizard to its SI payroll. Plus, the glimpse you get of Harry's youth/b More...

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