Joan, Volume 1

Joan #1

by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko

Set in Medieval France during the Hundred Years War, Joan is the story of Emil, a young woman raised as a man by Baudricourt, the same man who took Joan of Arc under his wing. Guided by visions of La Pucelle (the name given to Joan by followers), Emil seeks to unite France under the divine rule of the King. Emil travels through many of the same landmark battlefields as Joan, and gains her own followers in the process. However, Emil is opposed by the dauphin Louis, a brute enforcer who fears no divine power and is making his own bid to rule the country

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Comics, Historical Fiction, Historical, Japan, Fiction

181 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Yoshikazu Yasuhiko (安彦良和) is a Japanese manga artist, animator, character designer, anime director, illustrator, and novelist. He was born in Engaru Town, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido, and currently resides in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture.

Reviews

[Noran Miss Pumkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a colored and colorful manga-English style, for it is read front to back. I thought I was going to be about Joan of Arc, since I scored it on Ebay with a couple of other Joan books.
Well, I was wrong, and right. It is about Emil-actually Emily-she is raised as a male, to protect her from the murderous attentions of her father's widow. Yeah, Emil had a different mother. Emil is now the age that Joan was, when she went on her quest. The hundred year war is still going strong, and sets off to take the place of her guardian in battle. She along the way-visits sites of Joan, and sees visions of the Sainted girl. She passes on advice for Emil.

The art is great, and love the colors used. The book is just gorgeous! Only distraction is when characters are in almost profile, the far eye looks like they are wearing a patch-weird! I liked the history at the end-I finally get the English/French relationship at the time. It is like China today-they own a lot of US land, Back in the 1400'S, England-thanks to William the Conqueror-ended up with a lot of French land. France was divided between separation vs unification.

I just do not know if Emil/Emily really existed in history-I feel he/she if fiction for the storyline.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a graphic novel about Joan of Arc's life, but also not really about Joan of Arc's life. The colours were brilliant, but the style of the character illustrations was not appealing to me. (No biggie: it's a personal preference thing.) I am curious why the author/illustrator decided to tell Joan's story through Emil, a young woman whose life has parallels to Joan's, instead of just through the eyes of la pucelle herself. I think I would have preferred it without Emil, but as I already borrowed all three books from the library I am going to finish the series.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art in this manga is really beautiful and the writing is well done. I enjoyed this volume.

[Elisabet Johansson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story, the art is really nice and I found it to be an accessable way of learning a little more of the medieval history.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

About a young woman inspired by joan of arc- this book does a lot to clue the reader in on intra-country competition in Europe.

Set in 1400's France.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manga with a historical twist.

[Saffron Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully drawn rendition of the story of a girl who's story parallels Jehanne's.