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34th out of 92 books
—
9 voters
Grandville (Grandville #1)
by
Bryan Talbot
Two hundred years ago, Britain lost the Napoleonic War and fell under the thumb of French domination. Gaining independence after decades of civil disobedience and anarchist bombings, the Socialist Republic of Britain is now a small, unimportant backwater connected by a railway bridge, steam-powered dirigible, and mutual suspicion to France. When a British diplomat is murde...more
Hardcover, 108 pages
Published
October 7th 2009
by Dark Horse Comics
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Times Online: In a twisty, gripping plot, mined with deep danger, LeBrock uncovers a nasty conspiracy in high places. The contemporary political resonances are sharp and pointed: as an amoral arms dealer remarks, “An empire needs to be at war ... it’s its engine, its driving force ... and ... we need Britain’s oil”. It’s a playful, allusive book in which there’s a witty touch or deliciously knowing in-joke on almost every page: the French press whipping up Anglophobia; LeBrock’s Holmes-like unpa...more
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Jan 10, 2013
Otherwyrld
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
graphic-novel,
fantasy
I've long been a fan of Bryan Talbot's work, and it was a real pleasure to find something new of his to read.The story is set in an alternative universe where Britain lost the Napoleonic wars, where steam-punk machines abound at every junction, and where nearly all the characters are anthropomorphised animals (or at least human bodies with animal heads).
It's a clever and witty detective story, with delightful little nods to all sorts of things hidden away on every page. I particularly liked the...more
It's a clever and witty detective story, with delightful little nods to all sorts of things hidden away on every page. I particularly liked the...more
This is a beautifully presented read. Visually it is a rich and exciting experience. Care has been taken by the author to consistently stick closely to his own chosen style drawing heavily from J J Grandville and Robida. This was entirely intentional and attributed.
For me the story is in the style of a Victorian adventure. Here once again the author attributes an obvious influence on this work; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I felt that Jules Verne also could have been an influence too, however, that w...more
For me the story is in the style of a Victorian adventure. Here once again the author attributes an obvious influence on this work; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I felt that Jules Verne also could have been an influence too, however, that w...more
"Grandville" is the name of the French city where two detectives go to investigate the murder of a British Ambassador. They dodge street gangs, save a damsel in distress, uncover yet more murders while picking up clues, and avoid being corpses themselves. In short, your usual detective story.
What makes this so much more than average is the stunning artwork Talbot's created. Motorised carriages, robots, airships, antiquated yet futuristic weaponry, panoramic views of Victorian streets populated...more
What makes this so much more than average is the stunning artwork Talbot's created. Motorised carriages, robots, airships, antiquated yet futuristic weaponry, panoramic views of Victorian streets populated...more
Jul 11, 2010
E DB
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who likes steampunk and/or British mysteries.
This is a clever, self-contained graphic novel, a steampunk mystery rife with references to external works and events including Sherlock Holmes, Tin-Tin, 9/11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and all things noir. Above all, it's fast-paced, entertaining and well-illustrated.
Grandville is set in a world of automatons, airships, and bowler hats, where sentient life has evolved into various animals (essentially humans with animal heads). Humans exist as no-class citizens (they aren't legally reco...more
Grandville is set in a world of automatons, airships, and bowler hats, where sentient life has evolved into various animals (essentially humans with animal heads). Humans exist as no-class citizens (they aren't legally reco...more
Uma intrigante ucronia que mistura o antropomorfismo com a estética steampunk. Dois séculos após a capitulação perante Napoleão a Inglaterra recupera a sua independência como república popular socialista, mas será sempre o alvo favorito dos ódios oficiais do todo-poderoso império francês. A investigação da morte violenta de um obscuro funcionário da embaixada inglesa leva um inspector da Scotland Yard a atravessar de comboio a ponte que une as ilhas britânicas ao continente. É em Grandville, cap...more
This was my very first graphic novel of any kind. I am a fantasy/distopian/historical fiction/classics reader. I chose Grandeville for my first adventure through a new genre and read it in one sitting thoroughly intrigued and entertained. The only reason I did not give four stars is because I wasn't exactly running to the store to see if there was a sequel. Also, while I do like LeBrock a lot, I was a little confused about how though he is trying to stop the bad guys and clearly thinks they are...more
Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard is investigating the death of a diplomat, a mystery that takes him to Paris, known as Grandville, the greatest city in the world, and what he finds could shake the French empire to the core.
I loved this steampunk alt-history with anthropomorphic animals. The basic back-story is that Britain lost the Napoleonic wars and became part of the French empire for 200 years. But about 20 years ago, following a campaign of guerilla warfare and civil disobedienc...more
I loved this steampunk alt-history with anthropomorphic animals. The basic back-story is that Britain lost the Napoleonic wars and became part of the French empire for 200 years. But about 20 years ago, following a campaign of guerilla warfare and civil disobedienc...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Englantilaisen Bryan Talbotin sarjakuvat eivät liene näillä tantereilla järin tunnettuja, vaikka joskus vuosituhannen taitteessa ilmestyikin suomeksi insestistä toipumista kuvannut ""Tuhman rotan tarina"". Se on sääli, sillä miehen lahjat ovat kiistattomat - sen todistaa omalta osaltaan myös vaihtoehtohistoriaa, cyberpunkkia ja rikostarinaa yhdistelevä albumi "Grandville" (Jonathan Cape, 2009).
Sarjakuvan lähtöasetelma on mielenkiintoinen. Napoleonin sodissa tappion kärsinyt Englanti on itsenäist...more
Sarjakuvan lähtöasetelma on mielenkiintoinen. Napoleonin sodissa tappion kärsinyt Englanti on itsenäist...more
Bryan Talbot is famous for one of the first steampunk comics, the Adventures of Luther Arkwright. This book mixes art deco with a an alternate World War I history. There are no people, just animals, the animals are modeled after the famous 19th century French caricaturist drawings by J.J. Grandville.
The drawing is superb. It has elements from Arthur Conan Doyle, and the early penny dreadfuls. There is a lot of action. It opens with a murder and progresses to a full conspiracy.
In this setting,...more
The drawing is superb. It has elements from Arthur Conan Doyle, and the early penny dreadfuls. There is a lot of action. It opens with a murder and progresses to a full conspiracy.
In this setting,...more
Sep 29, 2012
Thom Foolery
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of alternate history, steampunk, Sherlock Holmes, and talking animals
What a neat graphic novel in so many ways. Talbot presents an alternate history scenario in which Napoleon conquered most of Europe, including England, and created a French empire. Near the end of the 19th century, the English rebelled and, with the help of anarchists, established the Socialist Republic of Britain. Airships, automatons, and a trans-Channel railway provide elements of steampunk, while the primary protagonist, the (sub)titular Detective-Inspector Archibald LeBrock of Scotland Yard...more
One of my favourite graphic novels of all time is Talbot's harrowing tale of homelessness, child abuse and Beatrix Potter, One Bad Rat. Grandville doesn't disappoint, an amazing tale of a future with reference ton the works of French charicaturist JJ Gerard, science fiction illustrator Robida, Conan Doyle, Rupert the Bear, Tarantino and Herge. In this dystopia Napoleon won, the French rule Britain as a backwater annex and the 'people' have mostly animal heads, with the exception of a few humans,...more
I really enjoyed this. Inspector LeBrock is a great character, and there are so many clever allusions in the background of the story - politically, there is Anglophobia after some English anarchists blew up a huge tower in the middle of Paris (the Grandville of the title). I loved the scene where LeBrock tries to order a full English breakfast in a posh French hotel. It also amused me that the French prime minister is called Jean-Marie Lapin, and that he previously led a far-right wing party (he...more
LeBrock is a mixture of the best of Sherlock Holmes and the worst of James Bond, and his teeth (and strangely human pecs) are epic. I fell for LeBrock about as quickly as the Sarah in the novel did. *grin*
I really enjoyed both this alternate history and its steampunk aspects, and while Talbot's current political commentary was bloody obvious, it worked well as part of the plot of this story. I love that Talbot actually has humans in this animal-face world (they're described as some barely evolve...more
I really enjoyed both this alternate history and its steampunk aspects, and while Talbot's current political commentary was bloody obvious, it worked well as part of the plot of this story. I love that Talbot actually has humans in this animal-face world (they're described as some barely evolve...more
I'd been putting this one off because, as much as I like Talbot, I hate the coloring in these books. Yeah, I'm that shallow. I like the guy's art, but the smokey CG coloring just isn't my thing. Speaking of Talbot's things, if I were to make a list of things I do not associate with Bran Talbot, it would go like this:
1. Comedy
2. Funny animals
...So where the hell did this come from?
Anyways, I have no idea what his deal is, but these books are great. Basically, steampunk anthro noir with tons of re...more
1. Comedy
2. Funny animals
...So where the hell did this come from?
Anyways, I have no idea what his deal is, but these books are great. Basically, steampunk anthro noir with tons of re...more
Bryan Talbot's reputation is built off the his Michael Moorcock inspired Adventures of Luther Arkwright and the excellent Tale of One Bad Rat. While this is what some would call this a "furry" tale, and it is, it is so much more.
Inspector LeBrock and his partner Ratzi are sent to France to investigate the apparent suicide of a British diplomat. Did I mention Britain has recently won its independence from France, as it lost the Napoleonic Wars? Of course this is not a suicide, nor is is a simple...more
Inspector LeBrock and his partner Ratzi are sent to France to investigate the apparent suicide of a British diplomat. Did I mention Britain has recently won its independence from France, as it lost the Napoleonic Wars? Of course this is not a suicide, nor is is a simple...more
I'd heard of, but not actually read any steampunk fiction before, and hadn't been sure whether it would interest me or not. This graphic novel turned out to be a great introduction. Set in an alternate universe where Britain lost the Napoleonic war, and with all the characters anthropomorphized animals, this is a mystery that's pure fun to read. A huge badger who's a Scotland Yard inspector (but somehow more reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes than of LeStrade) sets out to solve the apparent suicide...more
This was an interesting graphic novel in that it features talking animals as the main characters (humans are non-rights holding animals who perform menial labor), an alternate history where Napoleon won the war and use of steampunk technology.
Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard heads off to France to investigate a suicide he doesn't believe is a suicide and uncovers a number of other staged suicides during the course of his investigation into what actually happened to Raymond Leigh-Ott...more
Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard heads off to France to investigate a suicide he doesn't believe is a suicide and uncovers a number of other staged suicides during the course of his investigation into what actually happened to Raymond Leigh-Ott...more
A fun steampunkish story set in the late 1800's with anthropromorphized animals for all the characters. Detective Inspector LeBrock is a Badger and inspector for Scotland Yard investigating a murder of a British Diplomat. Clues lead him to France, and he uncovers a conspiracy by the French elite that fabricated an act of terrorism to lead popular opinion. This is very violent, almost suprsisingly so. There is a moment in which LeBrock questions a suspect and beats him to death that still sticks...more
I love this book. Ok its not your normal book to read but there are times when you find something just so totally different and amazing you just cannot read enough of it (you get to the end hoping here is another chapter or a sequel out there). I was aware of the author from my Uni days when as part of the unofficial reading list of my friends "The Adventures of Luther Arkwright" was required reading. The story is face paced and unpredictable, while the penmanship and artwork is fascinating (alw...more
In a world where animals rule, two hundred years ago Britain lost the Napoleonic War and like other European countries it's royal family were gillotined. 23 years before England got her independence but there are still issues.
Not least of which is the sudden death of Raymond Leigh-Otter, a death that looks like suicide but Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard isn't convinced and his investigation brings him to Grandville, or Paris as we would know it. Dragging him into conspiracy and more dead bod...more
Not least of which is the sudden death of Raymond Leigh-Otter, a death that looks like suicide but Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard isn't convinced and his investigation brings him to Grandville, or Paris as we would know it. Dragging him into conspiracy and more dead bod...more
Full-color steampunk graphic novel.
Alternate history where France won the Napoleonic war, so that Britain only won it's independence recently in an anarchist revolution and is now a socialist state.
Sherlock Holmes-style character who solves a mystery involving a government conspiracy.
Tarantino-style violence.
Cameo appearance by Snowy, Tintin's dog.
9/11 allegory.
And every character, besides a few minor servants, have animal heads. Great and famous works of art appear in the background of several...more
Alternate history where France won the Napoleonic war, so that Britain only won it's independence recently in an anarchist revolution and is now a socialist state.
Sherlock Holmes-style character who solves a mystery involving a government conspiracy.
Tarantino-style violence.
Cameo appearance by Snowy, Tintin's dog.
9/11 allegory.
And every character, besides a few minor servants, have animal heads. Great and famous works of art appear in the background of several...more
1 like · like · see review
The author and artist, BryanTablot, was inspired by a 19th century illustrator, who drew anthropomorphized characters in contemporary costumes of the period and used the pen name J J Grandville. The story takes place in an alternate world where the British lost the Napoleonic War and a British Inspector, a badger, investigates the murder of a British diplomat. The events of 911 and a conspiracy theory are woven in to the plot. The cast is made up of animals garbed in Victorian clothing, there ar...more
I purchased this at a Bryan Talbot signing at the ICA, much as I bought Alice in Sunderland last year when he signed at my shop. I've never quite got around to reading that one, though, so I was determined to get to this one quickly! His fascinating talk on the traditions of anthropomorphic tradition in British comics helped convince me as well, although having been given a few hints of the complexity of his artwork, I know I'm missing some of the finer details here. Very enjoyable, though, if y...more
I picked this graphic novel up at A-Kon. It's a steampunk detective story about Detective Inspector Lebrock of Scotland Yard, a badger. Part alternate history, part social commentary, part Quentin Tarentino film, part Sherlock Holmes. In other words, pretty much right up my alley. The art is fantastic, both beautiful and detailed. The panels are fun to examine to see all the little steampunky world building details. The story is mostly action and political intrigue, but it's well written. This i...more
One of the downright coolest graphic novels I've read. LeBrock, a kind of barrel-chested badger version of Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes, is a British detective inspector investigating a murder in a future where humans are simple servile creatures, English is a quaint nearly forgotten language, and Anglophobia is chic in a France-controlled world. Talbot's illustrations are sharp and colorful, as are his character's quips. It's immensely satisfying to watch LeBrock and his rat assistant Ra...more
This was, by far, last years best Christmas present to myself. Anthropomorphic crime noir mixed with steampunk and some history rewrites, what more can you ask for. Talbot is an excellent storyteller and provides very compelling artwork as well. In the middle of all this he manages to say something about terrorism and government based on peoples fear. What more can I say, strongly recommended reading.
I read on www.bryan-talbot.com that we can expect a sequel late 2010 or early 2011, I'm certain...more
I read on www.bryan-talbot.com that we can expect a sequel late 2010 or early 2011, I'm certain...more
In a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals and where France wins the Napoleonic War, Britain falls under French rule until after decades of civil unrest, Britain frees itself from France and becomes the Socialist Republic of Britain. After the murder of a British diplomat that is made to look like a suicide, Detective-Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard and his assistant Detective Ratzi go on a mission to discover the real culprit and uncover a conspiracy that lies far deeper in the French g...more
Bryan Talbot's Grandville is absolutely visually stunning! There I said it. Inspired by the 19th century French illustrator Gerard (whose pseudonym was J.J. Grandville) and science fiction illustrator Robida, Talbot weaves a fun and fascinating steampunk fable, albeit not overly complex. The ghost of 9/11 hangs over the work in a rather obvious fashion, and I know some people finds it somewhat annoying. For my own part, while I agree that it is a very obvious reference, I see that alongside (vis...more
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Talbot began his comics work in the underground comix scene of the late 1960s. In 1969 his first work appeared as illustrations in Mallorn, the British Tolkien Society magazine, followed in 1972 by a weekly strip in his college newspaper.
He continued in the scene after leaving college, producing Brainstorm Comix, the first three of which formed The Chester P. Hackenbush Trilogy (a character rework...more
More about Bryan Talbot...
He continued in the scene after leaving college, producing Brainstorm Comix, the first three of which formed The Chester P. Hackenbush Trilogy (a character rework...more
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1 trivia question
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“Listen, boy, just ask the chef to make me a proper Full English Breakfast.
You know, bacon, fried eggs, sausages, liver, grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, black pudding, kidneys, baked beans, fried bread, toast and served with strong English mustard, mind - none of this effete French muck - and a large mug of hot, strong Indian tea.”
—
3 people liked it
More quotes…
You know, bacon, fried eggs, sausages, liver, grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, black pudding, kidneys, baked beans, fried bread, toast and served with strong English mustard, mind - none of this effete French muck - and a large mug of hot, strong Indian tea.”
