"Completely fascinating." -Warren Ellis(Transmetropolitan, Red)Loseyourself in a world beyond your wildestdreams...Since 1996, Finder has setthe ba...
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reviews
Feb 16, 2012
Marissa
rated it: 
I picked up The Finder kind of randomly, without really knowing anything about it besides that it was a nice, thick graphic novel by a lady. I haven't really been a big reader of sci-fi or fantasy genre stuff since I was a pre-teen, not including a lot of the comic books I read, although even my comic book tastes tend to be more within the horror/crime/action and serious fiction genres than sci-fi and fantasy most of the time.
This graphic novel is very solidly within the sci-fi/fantas More...
This graphic novel is very solidly within the sci-fi/fantas More...
Sep 11, 2011
Jason
rated it: 
Complex, dense and utterly fascinating. I can't remember the last time I was so taken aback by a graphic novel.
The Finder Library: Volume 1 collects the first three books of the series Finder, originally self-published by author Carla Speed McNeil. The series has been running since 1996, but somehow I managed to go all this time without ever hearing of it.
Finder is science fiction, but it's not of the spaceships and aliens type. It's not even any kind of high-concept sci- More...
The Finder Library: Volume 1 collects the first three books of the series Finder, originally self-published by author Carla Speed McNeil. The series has been running since 1996, but somehow I managed to go all this time without ever hearing of it.
Finder is science fiction, but it's not of the spaceships and aliens type. It's not even any kind of high-concept sci- More...
Aug 04, 2011
Beth
rated it:
Humbling and yet annoying. Her figure drawing is lovely and always 100% accurate no matter how small the panel or scene. Her characters have unique faces that stay consistant from begining to end. As an artist, I still struggle with this, and I've read many comics where the illustrators have thrown in the towel and given up on one of these two goals. I love the illustrations, and I would love to see her collaborate with an author.
Why? Because her story has no plot. I stopped rea More...
Why? Because her story has no plot. I stopped rea More...
Jun 13, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
If Samuel Delany, Alfred Bester, Bruce Sterling and James Tiptree, jr. had somehow managed to contribute their DNA strands to create one baby, and that baby could somehow draw, I think that baby would create something like Finder.
I'm a big fan of world-building, and that's a big part of this series (at least in this big volume). Be prepared for long--but still entertaining---introductions with each city, town or flashback. As an outsider who is still oddly involved in the world, Jae More...
I'm a big fan of world-building, and that's a big part of this series (at least in this big volume). Be prepared for long--but still entertaining---introductions with each city, town or flashback. As an outsider who is still oddly involved in the world, Jae More...
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Sep 03, 2011
Alex
rated it:
I have to do something to express my gratitude to this book for its existence.
Delany was namedropped in a previous review, and for me the comparison is inescapable. I've read Dhalgren twice, and to read that book is, to me, a vacation.
Sometimes a story captures and prolongs that cherished moment of discovery, the instant when one finds themselves in a new place, a new city that is boundless in its unfamiliarity. Instead of the discoverer possessing the object, the object swallows t More...
Delany was namedropped in a previous review, and for me the comparison is inescapable. I've read Dhalgren twice, and to read that book is, to me, a vacation.
Sometimes a story captures and prolongs that cherished moment of discovery, the instant when one finds themselves in a new place, a new city that is boundless in its unfamiliarity. Instead of the discoverer possessing the object, the object swallows t More...
Jan 24, 2012
Dan
rated it: 
I came to reading Finder because one my favorite comic series' (Digger by Ursula Vernon) had been compared to it numerous times. I can see where those comparisons were coming from, but I find that they are very different experiences. Where Digger is an epic adventure, Finder is more of a dense and convoluted daydream.
The bulk of this volume is comprised of the "Sin Eater" narrative. Where I found parts of it really interesting, I found other parts extremely boring. Half of More...
The bulk of this volume is comprised of the "Sin Eater" narrative. Where I found parts of it really interesting, I found other parts extremely boring. Half of More...
Jul 09, 2011
Matt
rated it:
The Finder Library puts the word "novel" into the phrase graphic novel for a couple of reasons. For one, it's unlike any other story I've read; it's a fascinating example of world-building, and I couldn't tell you if it's a post-apocalyptic setting or an alien world with some Earth-like tendencies. It's also novel because it requires the attention and time that a good substantial novel does. There's so much subtext that McNeil provides footnotes for pages and various panels, and to be
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Oct 11, 2011
Kirsten
rated it: 
I'd vaguely heard of "Finder" prior to seeing this at my library, but I'd never had an opportunity to read any of McNeil's work. I'm so glad I found this!
McNeil has created a fascinating, complex world full of messed up people, joy, and magic. It's exceedingly hard to describe. I was grateful for the author's notes at the back of this volume, because they clarify some of the details that I otherwise would have had to feel out on my own. It turns out that nine times out of ten More...
McNeil has created a fascinating, complex world full of messed up people, joy, and magic. It's exceedingly hard to describe. I was grateful for the author's notes at the back of this volume, because they clarify some of the details that I otherwise would have had to feel out on my own. It turns out that nine times out of ten More...
Sep 04, 2011
Albert
rated it:
Picked up the "Finder" anthology based on the review by Glen Weldon and it definitely lived up to the expectation. Very imaginative writing, strong characters, and a unique world. The artwork is quite detailed and even though it is black-and-white, it seems to shine on the page. "Sin Eater", the longest of the stories, is just a bit too episodic and unfocused, but this is a very minor complaint because any content that doesn't directly contribute to the main plot line still
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Feb 11, 2012
Kevin
rated it:
Whatever I can say about this book will not do it justice. Finder is one of those sci fi sagas that every sci fi fan should read. McNeil's lettering (which shares many characteristics with Dave Sim's) is worth the read. She treats the letters like a work of art in and of themselves. But what is most impressive is how much McNeil does with so little. It is a huge epic spanning over a thousand+ pages, but it is the characters that will carry you through the pages. Do yourself a favor and pic
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Apr 26, 2011
Matt
rated it:
Totally compelling read! McNeil's a wildly skillful cartoonist and a fascinating writer. She wraps an intimate and heartbreaking family drama inside a sprawling yet intricately detailed fantasy world. This volume contains Sin-Eater, The King of the Cats and Talisman. Enjoyed King of Cats quite a bit, but I was completely engrossed by McNeil's cannonball into the world of Finder that is Sin-Eater and dug the enchantment of Talisman to close out the book. Beautiful work. Recommended for damn near
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Nov 28, 2011
May
rated it:
I didn't hate this book per say but I certainly didn't like it. Normally I'm up for sci-fi/fantasy but the story never appealed to me. After reading 100 pages, I still couldn't tell you what the plot was about or why the reader should care. Artwork was distracting and the text was hard to read at times making me more annoyed. Oh well, I can't like all of the graphic novels that grace my library's doorstep.
May 21, 2011
Patty
rated it:
I picked this one up on a whim...trying to read as many Eisner winners as I can find, lately. This is definitely a series within my genre and it reminds me of other independent comics I've enjoyed in the past. It's pretty complex to read and I'm sure I'll need to read this again, but the characters and art style are very solid and alive.
Jan 03, 2012
Laura
rated it:
One of the best comics I've ever read. The last story in this compilation is perfect- like something between Gaiman and Alan Moore, and the larger world has notes of the dystopian future of Transmetropolitan.
Smart, dense, lots of historical and mythological references. Will keep an eye on this author and series.
Smart, dense, lots of historical and mythological references. Will keep an eye on this author and series.
Sep 02, 2011
Esteve
rated it:
While reading this book, I was astonished by Carla Speed McNeil's strong and amazing world building, as well as by the multilayered characters I met, such as Jaeger Ayers, Emma, Brig, the kids or the different clan leaders.
Full of (not only) pop culture references and social criticism, this book went far beyond the usual comic book, and became a demanding reading that brought magic to my brain and fuel to my exhausted body.
http://thecommuterblog.tumblr.com/post/9...
More...
Full of (not only) pop culture references and social criticism, this book went far beyond the usual comic book, and became a demanding reading that brought magic to my brain and fuel to my exhausted body.
http://thecommuterblog.tumblr.com/post/9...
More...
May 08, 2011
Shaun
rated it:
Finder is one of those rare science fiction works that manages to bring the world-building and the humanity of the characters both into clear focus. The 4th storyline in this collection, Talisman, has to be one of the most important comics to me personally, that I've ever read. I can read it again and again and it still resonates.
May 21, 2011
Jeff
rated it:
I suppose I should preface this by saying I liked this. How much I liked this does not necessarily match up with how much I appreciated it as a work of literature and art, but I liked it. It's a science fiction tale, but it's also one about current and past issues in that future context, and it's one that usually works.
With that said, I don't exactly know what to say about it. There's a lot of deep philosophy here that I may be missing, and the sheer brilliance of the Talisman a More...
With that said, I don't exactly know what to say about it. There's a lot of deep philosophy here that I may be missing, and the sheer brilliance of the Talisman a More...
Feb 01, 2012
In der Hoffnung auf ein self-published Meisterwerk zwischen "Bone" und "Cerebus".
http://chorchillsmagazin.blogspot.com/20...
http://chorchillsmagazin.blogspot.com/20...
Nov 27, 2011
ingenue
rated it:
I require a T-shirt/print/icon reading "I've got the moves like Jaeger."
Yes, I'm sorry, I'll see myself out.
Yes, I'm sorry, I'll see myself out.
Sep 14, 2011
Michael
rated it:
Too damn lazy to dig out my boxed-up issues, so I borrowed this from the local library.. :)
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Feb 13, 2012
Aharon
rated it:
Almost 5 stars. +2 for talking lions and general brilliance; -1 for slight noodling.
Nov 10, 2011
Kristin
rated it:
Here is how to figure out if this comic is for you. Go to a comic shop or library. Pick up the collection of the story Finder: Talisman. Start to read. If you're not engaged, put it down and move along. If you are, finish reading Talisman, then buy this lovely edition of the first 22 issues of the series to find out more (and, tantalizingly, never all) about this wondrous cast of characters. Aboriginal science fiction that's sometimes scary, sexy, satiric but always interesting.
Feb 20, 2012
Rachel
rated it:
I actually read all the stories in here several years ago, but lost my copies, and I'm looking forward to replacing them when this comes out. This was the second comic book series I read, after finishing Sandman, and I loved it.
Carla Speed McNeil's artwork is lovely, and filled with strange and charming details. The stories are all set in a semi-modern world of city-states, populated by human clans that breed themselves for appearance and temperament, like purebred dogs, human-anima More...
Carla Speed McNeil's artwork is lovely, and filled with strange and charming details. The stories are all set in a semi-modern world of city-states, populated by human clans that breed themselves for appearance and temperament, like purebred dogs, human-anima More...
Aug 14, 2011
saint frances
rated it:
made it to page 341. normally i would force myself to finish it, but i just don't have the time or energy. adding it to my re-read shelf and maybe one day i'll come back to it.
Aug 24, 2011
Tyler
rated it:
The plot was pretty hard to follow (especially in the first story), but the book was still pretty good. Interesting world, good characters and good art help get past the confusing storylines and similar looking characters.
