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40th out of 300 books
—
46 voters
The Arctic Marauder
In its ongoing quest to showcase the wide range of Jacques Tardi’s bibliography,
Fantagraphics reaches all the way back to one of his earliest, and most distinctive
graphic novels: A satirical, Jules Vernes-esque “retro-sci-fi” yarn executed
on scratchboard in a stunningly detailed faux-woodcut style perfectly chosen to
render the Edwardian-era mechanical marvels on display. C...more
Fantagraphics reaches all the way back to one of his earliest, and most distinctive
graphic novels: A satirical, Jules Vernes-esque “retro-sci-fi” yarn executed
on scratchboard in a stunningly detailed faux-woodcut style perfectly chosen to
render the Edwardian-era mechanical marvels on display. C...more
Hardcover, 64 pages
Published
April 5th 2011
by Fantagraphics
(first published 1974)
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Let me preface by saying that the illustrations in this graphic novel are by far some of the best pieces of artwork that I have ever seen! When artwork this good is placed next to text, the story pales in comparison. Such is the case with this graphic novel.
A ship is sailing peacefully in the arctic when a crewman spots another ship perched atop an iceberg. The captain from the first ship sends a dinghy out to the stranded ship in hopes of saving the passengers or at least discovering how the sh...more
A ship is sailing peacefully in the arctic when a crewman spots another ship perched atop an iceberg. The captain from the first ship sends a dinghy out to the stranded ship in hopes of saving the passengers or at least discovering how the sh...more
May 15, 2011
Brenton Nichol
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Shelves:
comics-graphic-novels,
fantasy-and-adventure
I haven't done a great job of perusing graphic novels pre-Sandman and Watchmen, so I'm not familiar with Jacques Tardi or with comics in general from the 70s. This book struck me as indicative of the general vibe I have gotten from what little pre-80s comics work I have seen - it doesn't take itself very seriously. It's been pointed out that The Arctic Marauder can be read as a parody of its genre, but I didn't get that from my reading at all - the plot developments and devices seemed lazy and n...more
Being not yet 30, there exists an unending ocean of great comics created before I was born or before I cared, nevermind the constant river of new titles emptying into that ocean every day. I try not to make myself crazy trying to find every great title ever made. But I do enjoy picking up the occasional reissue and looking at what past generations had to offer. One of my favorite artists, who has also influenced several of my other favorite artists, is Jacques Tardi. And Fantagraphics recent rei...more
Ok here's the thing..the illustrations bring this up to 3 stars but really this is a disappointment for Tardi. I think the main thing that really perplexed and irritated me was how he failed to explain the huge change in character of one of the leads. He also sort of passes off the idea that he can take literary liberties because it's just a fiction anyways, right, trying to be playful but coming off as lazy in my opinion. Great graphic novelist but this is not the one to read if you're not look...more
Neste brilhante livro de Tardi tudo, desde a história à ilustração, funciona como uma profunda e respeitosa homenagem ao género de romance de aventuras com invenções mecânicas, percursor do que hoje chamamos ficção científica. Naufrágios misteriosos e um falecimento igualmente obscuro em Paris levam um jovem a descobrir o tenebroso segredo que se oculta dentro de um iceberg que cruza os mares do norte: uma instalação científica onde dois génios científicos unem esforços para piratear as embarcaç...more
"Icepunk" subgenre of Steampunk, written in graphic novel form and illustrated with Victorian-like black and white etchings and ink. Themes: steam power, mechanics, mad inventors, shipwrecks, Arctic expedition, flying machines.
A fast read - I finished it in one day while both kids were home. The narration is so fast-paced, it feels like barely skimming the surface of the story - reads more like a summary than the story itself. But because of this, it would be a good title for reluctant readers,...more
A fast read - I finished it in one day while both kids were home. The narration is so fast-paced, it feels like barely skimming the surface of the story - reads more like a summary than the story itself. But because of this, it would be a good title for reluctant readers,...more
What an interesting read! The Arctic Marauder is probably the most unique and humorous graphic novels I've ever read. The plot of this story is different from most other graphic novel because by the end of the book, evil prevails over all. I particularly enjoyed the sinister villains of the story. The villians were very cliche with their monlogues and creepy laughter. My favorite part of the story was when the villains are able to escape the Arctic for the jungle in the multipuropse vehicle they...more
I hate to give a low review to a graphic novel with art this gorgeous, but I'm afraid I have to. My advice - find a copy at a bookstore and flip through it slowly, because the artwork is breathtaking. Just be sure that when you do, you don't read any of the text boxes or dialog balloons, because the writing is so very, very awful.
If you pick up 50s and 60s American comics, you may notice that often the writers didn't trust the illustrators to tell their story, so they put enough description in t...more
If you pick up 50s and 60s American comics, you may notice that often the writers didn't trust the illustrators to tell their story, so they put enough description in t...more
An odd little comic by French Artist Jacques Tardi. A survivor of an Arctic expedition searches for clues to his uncle's death, which leads him to a secret Arctic base. Telling you more would give away the various twists and turns the story takes, which at certain point seems to throw out logic and motive altogether.
What's most notable is the art style Tardi uses for this comic. It looks extremely similar to wood engraving, particularly the backgrounds, but the characters appear to have the loos...more
What's most notable is the art style Tardi uses for this comic. It looks extremely similar to wood engraving, particularly the backgrounds, but the characters appear to have the loos...more
The drawings were amazing but the story was weak and structure-less. I admit that it was a page-turner until I got to the awful cliff-hanger end— it was so... horrible that I had to sit in silence for a while contemplating just how bad it was. The captions were overweitten and amateur-ish, trying to act as if they were in some fancy 19th century piece.I feel like the author just wrote a few random stories with the same character and then pieced them together. I would advise anyone who happens to...more
A quick, beautifully drawn read. There is an interesting dichotomy that occurs within the middle of this book that comes as a surprise, especially for me for whom the only other Tardi book I've read is You Are There. The protagonist The Arctic Marauder resembles Arthur There, the bewildered yet kind protagonist of You Are There, and it is hard not to attribute the qualities of one toward the other.
The conclusion is left open for further sequels, and I'd read 'em.
The conclusion is left open for further sequels, and I'd read 'em.
Originally created by Jacques Tardi in 1972, this 2011 re-issue of his satirical, proto-steampunk adventure comic is a fantastic addition to any comics/graphic novel collector's library. The Edwardian-inspired scratchboard artwork and page design are exquisite and inspirational. The translation(from the French) feels a bit spotty at times, and the story is a bit wonky in the way that such period adventure tales tend to be; you sort of need to commit yourself to enjoying the ride even if it doesn...more
This sums up exactly my thoughts:
Jules Vernes-esque “retro-sci-fi” yarn executed on scratchboard in a stunningly detailed faux-woodcut style perfectly chosen to render the Edwardian-era mechanical marvels on display. Created in 1972, The Arctic Marauder is a downright prescient example of proto-“steampunk” science fiction — or perhaps more accurately, and to coin a spinoff genre, “icepunk.”
Extremely reminiscent of a finely detailed woodcut print, of sailing ships! So pretty.
Jules Vernes-esque “retro-sci-fi” yarn executed on scratchboard in a stunningly detailed faux-woodcut style perfectly chosen to render the Edwardian-era mechanical marvels on display. Created in 1972, The Arctic Marauder is a downright prescient example of proto-“steampunk” science fiction — or perhaps more accurately, and to coin a spinoff genre, “icepunk.”
Extremely reminiscent of a finely detailed woodcut print, of sailing ships! So pretty.
This Verne-esque, 19th century techno-mystery provides all the exploration and incident a fan of the genre could hope for. Ships are sinking in the icy North Atlantic, the drowning sailors thrashing in the shadow of a towering ice berg. And what of the ghostly ship that rests atop the peak of the berg, its crew frozen at their posts? Tardi's stunning B&W illustration evokes Edward Gorey, while retaining his own singular style. The characterization may bob comfortably on the surface, but this...more
I feel like it would be cooler to give this book more stars, but I just liked it, not really liked it. The artwork merits 5 stars. It's incredible. But the story itself is not that gripping. I kind of like that the characters are mundane, but I had to fight to finish the book, and a few months after reading it, I question whether or not I actually reached the ending because I have no memory of it. Still, I want to read everything Tardi ever illustrated. Because it's cool.
I'm surprised at some of the low ratings this has gotten. First of all, it's totally "icepunk" as the blurb on the back states, but it was written in 1974. Predating LoEG, among others. I think some of the issue might be with the translation - in places it's a little clunky. But it's also supposed to be a pulp comic. Also, it was done with SCRATCHBOARD!! SCRATCHBOARD!! The scene where Jerome wakes up alone should give it an extra star for that.
Tardi fixes 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by taking out the tedious travelog, making the Nemo character much more aggressive and dangerous, adding in an equally aggressive and dangerous foil for him, and just plain amping up the coolness on the vehicles and gadgets by a factor of about nine-hundred.
The only downside is that it's not a complete story. Or if it is, the ending is hilarious, but abrupt.
The only downside is that it's not a complete story. Or if it is, the ending is hilarious, but abrupt.
amazing art, as always with Tardi. a fun Victorian adventure plot. there are loads of bizarre elements, somewhat like Adele Blanc-Sec. but once the octopus grabs Plumier, the story, um, jumps the shark. loved Simone Pouffiot, wish to see her again. since i don't believe there is a sequel, the ending is abrupt and lazy. definitely not the book to introduce people to Tardi.
As many others have said, read this for the artwork. The story is just odd as hell, and the protagonist's... fate, I suppose you could call it, surprised me. No real reasoning behind it, just a sudden and unexplained moment in the story when everything changed. I completed the story expecting an explanation - none was ever forthcoming. Still - gorgeous. Very gorgeous.
Absolutely exquisite artwork. The artist makes the very most of B&W illustration - they look like etchings or woodcuts, with incredible detail and drama. Story is a Jules Verne take-off - "icepunk", as they cleverly call it. Highly recommended.
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This is one of those books that you read even though your nose is all scrunched up in disbelief while you're reading it. It's a really unusual story told in an unusual way, which kept me going until the end. I was definitely surprised by the twists in the middle of the story, which doesn't happen to me that often. When a student told me about it, he warned me that the ending was very dissatisfying, but I actually didn't think it was. It really became a comment on how evil persists in the world...more
Good visuals, short even for a graphic novel, no emotional connection to any of the characters by the end of the book. I may read the second one if I ever stumbled across it due to the cliffhanger ending, but I won't actively search out the book.
Tardi's art is gorgeous in this oversized volume, and her perfectly captures the feel of an old pulp episodic adventure. Unfortunately, this includes the sudden, unsatisfying ending so common in pulp pieces.
Again, wonderful illustrations paired with subpar writing. I don't know if it's the actual story or the translator, but the images are so much better than the writing it's almost a joke.
Straight up the alleyway that leads into my heart. Many people don't know that my heart can only be accessed by alley (via SPOILER ALERT mechanical iceberg) but Jacques Tardi does.
Read my review as part of my 30 Graphic Novels in 30 Days project.
I love Jacques Tardi's art style and his sense of humor and The Artic Marauder is an awesome showcase of both. This whimsical steampunk sci fi graphic novel is absolutely stellar.
The art was magnificent, but the story was very weak and lacked structure. I think it might have been the translation and I hope it was, but as of right now, the book failed.
The art was superb (hence the four stars) but the story, which was full of potential at the beginning, got squeezed and squeezed until there was nothing left by the end.
This isn't a great story, but the the visuals are stunning. I own it, but probably would ahve been happy to get it from the library.
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Jacques Tardi is a French comics artist, born 30 August 1946 in Valence, Drôme. He is often credited solely as Tardi.
After graduating from the École nationale des Beaux-Arts de Lyon and the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs in Paris, he started writing comics in 1969, at the age of 23, in the comics magazine Pilote, initially illustrating short stories written by Jean Giraud and Serge...more
More about Jacques Tardi...
After graduating from the École nationale des Beaux-Arts de Lyon and the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs in Paris, he started writing comics in 1969, at the age of 23, in the comics magazine Pilote, initially illustrating short stories written by Jean Giraud and Serge...more
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I have a soooper book mark. Thank you so very much.
May 18, 2012 03:05am