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Madame Xanadu Vol. 1: Disenchanted (Madame Xanadu #1; issues 1-10)
Legendary creator Matt Wagner (MAGE, GRENDEL, SUPERMAN/BATMAN/WONDER WOMAN: TRINITY) and rising star artist Amy Reeder Hadley, present Vertigo's newest ongoing fantasy epic MADAM XANADU.
Centuries long and around the far reaches of the globe, her tale winds before the ageless fortuneteller, whose powers of sight can change the course of human events.
As the mysterious past o...more
Centuries long and around the far reaches of the globe, her tale winds before the ageless fortuneteller, whose powers of sight can change the course of human events.
As the mysterious past o...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
July 21st 2009
by Vertigo
(first published July 7th 2009)
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Madame Xanadu follows Nimue, a sorceress of the woods outside Camelot, as she outlives Arthur and watches human history develop. The chapters check in at various periods in our history, threaded together by the Phantom Stranger, a man not merely immortal, but so detached from time that he no longer even has emotion regarding the course of human events. We read and wonder if the fall of enough civilizations will do the same to her, or if her character can persist like her body.
Pencile...more
Pencile...more
History is what motivates so many different people. They want to know what has come before them. Madame Xanadu has history seeping out of it's pages. This first collected trade gives you the first ten issues of the series. The story starts of slow. I wasn't sure if I even wanted to read the entire book. I thought the book took place during the Noir time period, which is the 40's. Yet when the book starts it's during the time of Camelot. I was not excepting that at all. The comic picks u...more
I did enjoy reading this, and it inspired me to write fiction and create characters of my own... Partly because I found the series wanting. I found myself thinking, ok, THIS has been done, what can I do that would be better?
That said, if I saw the second volume in a shop, I would no doubt buy it and read it! I do want to know what happens next. (Also, since I am not very involved with the worlds of DC heroes etc., I have no idea why the ending of this is significant, and I want t...more
That said, if I saw the second volume in a shop, I would no doubt buy it and read it! I do want to know what happens next. (Also, since I am not very involved with the worlds of DC heroes etc., I have no idea why the ending of this is significant, and I want t...more
I had very high expectations. Someone whose opinion I value highly loved it. It's by Matt Wagner. The art is breathtaking.
So what did I think?
Well... the art is breathtaking. The writing was just okay, sadly. The only other Wagner I've read was much better (Trinity). The over-usage of this sentence structure "the blah of blah..." really started to annoy me. It really wouldn't kill anyone to use contractions once in a while. "Her magic's power" ...more
So what did I think?
Well... the art is breathtaking. The writing was just okay, sadly. The only other Wagner I've read was much better (Trinity). The over-usage of this sentence structure "the blah of blah..." really started to annoy me. It really wouldn't kill anyone to use contractions once in a while. "Her magic's power" ...more
This trade paperback collects the first ten issues of Vertigo's excellent MADAME XANADU ongoing series, a book that's always hovering at the top of my "READ IMMEDIATELY!!!" stack of monthly books, and I recommend it to anyone out there who enjoys quality fantasy for grownups. I've sung this series' praises since issue number one and continue to do so now that it's just finished its first year, and again I say it's the best thing to come out of Vertigo in at least five years.
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This first volume of a series amounts as an origin story for Madame Xanadu, from her original identity as Nimue, to her final resolution to help people with her powers of foresight.
Art-wise, very interesting, some lovely pieces.
Plot-wise, I hated it. Nimue/Xanadu is a seer of immense naivety, ineffectually butting up against history's events but apparently without any ability to understand the participants. She has an opponent of sorts, The Phantom Stranger, who occasio...more
Art-wise, very interesting, some lovely pieces.
Plot-wise, I hated it. Nimue/Xanadu is a seer of immense naivety, ineffectually butting up against history's events but apparently without any ability to understand the participants. She has an opponent of sorts, The Phantom Stranger, who occasio...more
Posted on my book blog.
Lovely artwork from Amy Reeder Hadley. The story was interesting, but Madame Xanadu, as a character, fell a little short of my expectations. I felt that she had the potential to be a lot more interesting, not to mention likable. The Phantom Stranger was simply annoying and had a serious lack of communication skills, but then again, I've never been a fan of these brooding, mysterious character types. Still, the story was good and I enjoyed reading about how the ...more
Lovely artwork from Amy Reeder Hadley. The story was interesting, but Madame Xanadu, as a character, fell a little short of my expectations. I felt that she had the potential to be a lot more interesting, not to mention likable. The Phantom Stranger was simply annoying and had a serious lack of communication skills, but then again, I've never been a fan of these brooding, mysterious character types. Still, the story was good and I enjoyed reading about how the ...more
Federiken Masters
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Vertiginosos relativos
Recommended to Federiken by:
Guionista y portadas.
Al principio lo arranqué lento y me aburrÃa un poquito. Después se pone vertiginoso (pero no vertiguesco) y se deja leer mejor. El resultado: una serie muy llevadera que podrÃa haber dado más de sÃ. El contexto histórico es bastante abarcativo y está bueno que cada capÃtulo se desarrolle en un siglo distinto. Pero lo que podrÃa ir más allá se queda en simple escenario. La dibujante quizás no sea de lo más expresiva y detallista pero logra una ambientación bastante adecuada y unas caripelas al me...more
Nimue tries in vain to prevent her sister from using Mordred to destroy Camelot. Then she tries in vain to help her friend in Kublai Khan's court (though she succeeds in making Marco Polo look like a hero). Then she tries in vain to help her friend Marie Antoinette. And then, she tries in vain to help her friends the whores stay safe from Jack the Ripper. Nimue, aka Madame Xanadu, just happens to be bff with every easily-recognizable historical figure ever. She is unfailingly morally perfec...more
Covering the first 10 issues of the comic by Matt Wagner (writer) and Amy Reeder Hadley (Artist). This winner of 4 Eisner Awards finally explains the past on the enigmatic Madam Xanadu who's been a fixture in the DC Vertigo line (and before that in the 80s) but who's always been overshadowed by other characters and was reduced to momentary cameos and 'walk-ons' in many titles.
The art is excellent, the colors vivid, and the story spans centuries giving an excellent feel for details that...more
The art is excellent, the colors vivid, and the story spans centuries giving an excellent feel for details that...more
Thumbs up :
- Gambarnya rapi, enak dilihat.
- Dialog Matt Wagner mudah dimengerti bagi pembaca yang awam dengan dunia magic.
- Harga bandrol cuma $13, padahal isinya 10 chapter ($30 kalau beli pretelannya)
Thumbs down :
- Cerita ini akan menimbulkan banyak pertanyaan bagi pembaca yang tidak kenal siapa itu the Demon, Alan Scott, Dr. Fate, Jason Blood dan the Spectre.
Selama bertahun-tahun pembaca DC Comics bertanya-tanya mengapa Madame Xanadu begitu benc...more
- Gambarnya rapi, enak dilihat.
- Dialog Matt Wagner mudah dimengerti bagi pembaca yang awam dengan dunia magic.
- Harga bandrol cuma $13, padahal isinya 10 chapter ($30 kalau beli pretelannya)
Thumbs down :
- Cerita ini akan menimbulkan banyak pertanyaan bagi pembaca yang tidak kenal siapa itu the Demon, Alan Scott, Dr. Fate, Jason Blood dan the Spectre.
Selama bertahun-tahun pembaca DC Comics bertanya-tanya mengapa Madame Xanadu begitu benc...more
From the Witchy Books Network review blog.
Madame Xanadu is a character with a long history in the DC Universe who has been given a fresh start with this new series from the Vertigo imprint (home of Sandman and Fables). This first volume takes you on a wild journey throughout history, from her origin in Camelot when she was Nimue, sister of Morgan le Fay, to the palace of Kublai Khan from whence she took her name--Xanadu, to the French Revolution, the streets of Whitechapel during th...more
Madame Xanadu is a character with a long history in the DC Universe who has been given a fresh start with this new series from the Vertigo imprint (home of Sandman and Fables). This first volume takes you on a wild journey throughout history, from her origin in Camelot when she was Nimue, sister of Morgan le Fay, to the palace of Kublai Khan from whence she took her name--Xanadu, to the French Revolution, the streets of Whitechapel during th...more
Madame Xanadu was one of my favorite new Vertigo series. It sort of foreshadowed the reintegration of the Vertigo characters with the DC universe as it featured appearances of by numerous DC characters (Entrigan, the Spectre, Zatara, Martian Manhunter) and referenced even more. I enjoyed the overarching plot of the first 10 issues featuring the love/hate relationship of Xanadu and the Phantom Stranger as they encounter each other in various time periods and Xanadu rebels against the Stranger's...more
Wow. The first volume of Madame Xanadu really enchanted me. As she moved through the ages from King Arthur's Camelot, to the palace of Xanadu, to Victorian London and the modern world she continually crossed paths with the Stranger. The purpose of these meetings and events have a grand, cosmic scale. But more importantly they take on a personal meaning for Madame Xanadu. You feel her sadness and growth. Great writing. And the artwork! Every panel is beautiful and engaging. A magical story.
I didn't really know who Madame Xanadu was although the back cover says she appears in all sorts of DC stories. But I have to say that I got quite interested in the story of her and I liked the artwork quite a bit. Also the cameos seem to be all of the great but underrated DC characters. I really like the Phantom Stranger, the Spectre and Etrigan the Demon and they all made appearances in interesting and surprising ways. I am certainly going to read the next volume.
Good Vertigo fantasy. The troubled love life of an ancient fortune telling enchantress. It's interesting to see how blinded the character becomes to her own moral weakness, that this Seer who can predict the fortunes of others cannot see her own predicament. Amy Reeder Hadley's artwork is gorgeous throughout, despite Matt Wagner's writing seeming lazy or rushed at times. The Camelot and Marco Polo chapters got me curious enough to look up specific details. I did have some problems with cert...more
I wanted to like this. I really did. I just couldn't. There was no overall arc to the book. It was just a collection of five team-ups, really. Those were okay, but Vertigo is known for having a cohesive story throughout their series. The lead characters are on a journey that has a beginning, middle and end. This was just a series of snippets in Madame Xanadu's life.
I'll try volume 2, but if that doesn't do anything for me, I think I'm done with this series.
I'll try volume 2, but if that doesn't do anything for me, I think I'm done with this series.
Gorgeous artwork, compelling and imaginative characters and plot. My favorite part was the variety of the time periods, how all encompassing and ornate each one was and how effortlessly the leading lady skipped through centuries and across continents. I would have completely loved it if I wasn't so pissed off/annoyed all the time by all of the Madame's efforts being so completely and obviously in vain due to the Phantom Stranger. Looking forward to Vol. 2.
I didn't know anything about this character before, and new little more about The Phantom Stranger, with whom she interacts a great deal, but I still enjoyed this - probably helped that it's an origin story. At the conclusion of this volume I wasn't really itching for more (it doesn't end on a cliffhanger or leave much unresolved) but may pick up further volumes at the library sometime. Perhaps if the artwork were more evocative I'd find things more compelling.
Rosalia
rated it
This was such a great graphic novel. Madame Xanadu is really Nimue the woman that put Merlin into sleep for thousands of years. It goes from time period to time period, hitting some of the most famous incidences in history. You also get an Etrigan/Jason Blood origin story, and a visit with Death from the Eternals. Madame Xanadu's frustration in dealing with the Stranger that keep reappearing is practically tangible in the illustrations.
Purplycookie
rated it
She is comics' most mysterious magician, playing a part in countless stories yet having no chance to tell her own. Wagner has written from Madame Xanadu's story as it spans centuries from the time of Camelot to the court of Kublai Khan to 1940s New York City and beyond.
Always, Madame Xanadu's powers of sight can change the course of human history, but her vision is clouded when she looks into herself. Time and again, she encounters the Phantom Stranger who prods and guides her actio...more
Always, Madame Xanadu's powers of sight can change the course of human history, but her vision is clouded when she looks into herself. Time and again, she encounters the Phantom Stranger who prods and guides her actio...more
Although I am more a Marvel fan then DC, this book forced itself into my library bag. I was absolutely drawn into the story with the added delight of beautiful artwork. Leaping through time was fun, seeing what role Mdm Xanadu would place herself in, and I was surprised many, many times. When I finished, I was hungry to find the links in her story that lead to other DC characters.
I'm shocked that this series isn't more popular. Its got a Sandman flair (and in fact Destiny and Death are important characters) and it blends magic and fantasy with DC comics mythology. It is a real page turner that shows how great Vertigo books can be. Highly recommended for adult graphic novel readers who are looking for something new and old at the same time.
Wagner writes quite a good book, where Madame Xanadu walks through the history growing up as a human being; at the same time, we see her special relationship with the Phantom Stranger as well as some other of the most powerful DCU's mystics.
Maybe the plot is quite simple but it's good enough, despite it's quite long being an introduction to the character of Madame Xanadu as it is.
Problem is that the art, being very good as it is, doesn't fit with this sort of book; in my ...more
Maybe the plot is quite simple but it's good enough, despite it's quite long being an introduction to the character of Madame Xanadu as it is.
Problem is that the art, being very good as it is, doesn't fit with this sort of book; in my ...more
Jennifer
rated it
Recommends it for:
graphic novel fans and short story fans
Recommended to Jennifer by:
Steve Smock
Beautiful! However, the story is scattered because of the time travel aspect. Madame Xanadu lives a long long time playing a role in important events throughout history. I only wish the author would have spent more time covering one setting. If you're a graphic novel lover who also enjoys short stories this would be a good fit.
The alternate walk through time concept is always fun. You take known events and then show what "really" happened. The struggle remains the same, that is always true. I like the main character, who in classic greeck myth fashion makes happen what they want to prevent. Seeing the future does not mean you are prepared for it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this volume. Matt Wagner has smoothed out his writing style since he wrote Mage, which I found to be a little jumpy but still very well written for a B&W independent in the 80s. I look forward to the next several volumes in the series before its untimely demise to make room for yet another DC reboot.
Bonnie
rated it
Shelves:
comic-book,
graphic-novel,
arthurian-legend,
death,
destiny,
endless,
fairies,
fantasy,
fiction,
history,
wizard,
wishlist,
strong-heroine,
magic,
superhero
I'll be honest - I picked this up because I saw that Death from the Sandman series was featured in an issue. But this story was awesome on its own. The artwork is beautiful and now I'm a fan of Amy Reeder Hadley - it reminds me a bit of the artwork for Runaways (early on). Anyways, I was not familiar with Madame Xanadu or the Phantom Stranger before picking this collection up. Now I'm all set to continue following the series.
My sister did the art! I'm so happy it's on goodreads! Well, it got nominated for 4 Eisners, so I guess it's not very surprising :)
Well, obviously, I think the art is fantastic :) The story is interesting, too, but definitely PG-13 or R rated.
Well, obviously, I think the art is fantastic :) The story is interesting, too, but definitely PG-13 or R rated.
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Not exactly Sandman, and some of the "gothic romance" bits were rather cheesy, but definitely enjoyable. What I loved most was the art! Amy Reeder Hadley's style combined with the colorist was just gorgeous.
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Matt Wagner is an American comic book writer and artist. In addition to his creator-owned series' Mage and Grendel, he has also worked on comics featuring The Demon and Batman as well as such titles as Sandman Mystery Theatre and Trinity, a DC Comics limited series featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
More about Matt Wagner...
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