Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem

Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem #1-3

by Steve Niles, Matt Santoro, Dave Wachter (Illustrator)

Reprinting the 3-issue Dark Horse mini-series that is loosely based on the legends of the Golem of Prague.

During the events of WWII, an allied plane crashes near a village populated predominately with Jewish citizens. This spawns an investigation by Nazi forces to find the pilot. The villagers hide the survivor and use river mud and clay to build a golem to battle the invaders in an attempt to safeguard their own lives as well as that of the pilot.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, War, Historical

80 pages, Hardcover

First published March 11, 2014

About the author

STEVE NILES is one of the writers responsible for bringing horror comics back to prominence, and was recently named by Fangoria magazine as one of it's "13 rising talents who promise to keep us terrified for the next 25 years."

Niles is currently working for the four top American comic publishers - Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse. He got his start in the industry when he formed his own publishing company called Arcane Comix, where he published, edited and adapted several comics and anthologies for Eclipse Comics. His adaptations include works by Clive Barker, Richard Matheson and Harlan Ellison.

Steve resides in Los Angeles in his bachelor pad with one cat. While there's no crawlspace, there is a questionable closet in one corner and no one is quite sure what is hidden in there...but we have an idea.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is not much more I can really add just that the combination of story and artwork is a perfect match. The story has an impressive impact which is reflected in the accolades it has collected. This is an author I think I will try and find more on.

Well I have done it again - when it comes to moving my books around I get drawn in to another book. Do not get my wrong I love re-discovering books I have read and then shelved in the past. I guess I should just plan my time a little better then again who can tell when the urge to pick up and old book and give it another run around the block.

I think the original comments still stand just I get the enjoy the read all over again - its as if I do not need to buy any more books - nah that wont happen any time soon. Just have to go and apologise to my TBR pile ... again.



I will admit that I am not sure if this should be a 3 or a 4 star so I will give it the benefit of the doubt and set at 4.

Without giving too much away (come on its in the title and cover artwork) the story is basically the re-telling of the Jewish Golem story now set during the Second World war. It is a very short book but is quite emotive and bittersweet in its pace and content.

However how did I find this title- well as with so many of my books I am not entirely sure. I would love to get more in to graphic novels and comics but I really do not like getting in to stories which span 100s of books and titles (think DC and Marvel) but rather the one offs and specials. And this is where I suspect I stumbled on to this title.

Anyway I am glad that I did as even though the storyline is pretty predictable the artwork is pretty impressive and very reminiscent of other titles I have read. I suspect I need to look up both the artist as well as the writer of these titles to follow their work? Anyway I did enjoy a re-imaging of a classic tale.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A British plane crashes near a small Jewish village and draws the attention of the Germans during World War II. A young boy and his grandfather make a golem to protect the villagers. This was pretty bare bones with an odd framing sequence. The boy was also shown as a late teen fighting in World War II. The timing seems off but I guess is possible if the main story happened in the very early days of the war. I did like Wachter's black and white art.

Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of a 3 mini-comic series based loosely on the Golem of Prague. Feels like a pretty straightforward story where the golem meets the Nazis. Can the remaining folks in a town, with all the adult men gone, save the town from this evil that rolled over the world for a time? It's 1944 and Germany is just leveling cities and villages. The tale centers on a boy and his grandfather, and an emerging relationship between the grandfather and the golem I won't spoil for you. Something to do with the not quite great but substantially right title.

The book is oversized, carefully done as a production, and features solidly accomplished art work by Niles, if a bit dark for what I assume is a younger audience. It's pen and ink with a gray wash. There's a confusing problem with the chronology where the boy, maybe ten, hears about the Allied invasion and then is fighting as an adult teen. Not sure what was intended by that… a fantasy sequence? But it's worth a look.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting graphic novel, well-drawn, with perhaps a bit too simplistic a tale. A small village in an unnamed country has lost all it's fighting age men to the war. The Nazis are on the march. It's some time in 1944. A plane has crashed, leading the enemy to this small village. Who can help them against overwhelming odds?

The golem is a creature from Jewish mystical tales (not being Jewish I may not describe this creature correctly). There is a whole mythos around "him" which this story would have benefited from fleshing out a bit more. Since I've heard of the Golem before, I'm bringing that knowledge with me to the reading. Others may be a bit confused.

The graphics are well done and the appeal to young and, probably older, boys and men will be there given the war subject. Personally I would also like to see just a bit more about the traditions and beliefs behind it all.


An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for the purpose of review.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem' reprints the 3-issue mini-series. It takes place in a quiet village during WWII. A young boy lives with his grandfather waiting for his father to come home. His father is off fighting the war, and the grandfather knows he won't be coming home.

An allied plane crash lands outside the village and the disabled pilot seeks refuge. The village is reluctant to harbor a fugitive, fearing reprisals from the Nazis. The grandfather has a plan for that eventuality. He has the children gather mud and build a figure on the ground. It is a golem. Can this golem save the village from the tanks heading it's way?

There isn't much to the story, but I think that only adds to the realism of the tale being told (minus the golem, of course). The story feels mythic, with a slow build. The art is black and white and very well done. I really enjoyed this one.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this fine graphic novel.

[Zedsdead · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the waning days of WW2, as Nazis threaten a small Jewish village, a young boy summons a mighty golem to defend his people.

There's not a lot of golem in this golem story. It's a thin volume and the legendary creature only appears for the climax. There's a lot of unrealized potential here.

Still, it's pretty and the plot holds together well enough for a short story.
--------------------------
SECOND READ:
This reads like a trailer for the actual book.

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this small graphic novel focusing on a young boy, his grandfather, a crashed allied invasion pilot, and a golem. I love how the boy is the one that saves the town through his faith in the golem, and felt his loss at the end when the golem dies having served his purpose. I hope this author writes some more stories.

I received an e-ARC of this book by the publishers Dark Horse Books and Random House via Edelweiss. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Donald Armfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And sometimes good sits right there, in our hands, just waiting to be molded"

This was a different approach from other comics I read by Steve Niles. Usually following blood and gore, but I believe he has others like this graphic novel.

When a family emblem is passed down to a little boy the grandfather tells the tale. "With strength comes the Golem" and that he does.

The Germans' came and then they were battered and scared off, a tale of courage, strength and a folklore brought to life. Great read!

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

WWII and a Golem....okay read. All Black and white, and a very short read.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossposted at Booklikes


“And sometimes good sits right there in our hands, waiting to be molded”



The use of graphic novels to tell stories serious stories does have a long tradition. Today, however, most readers tend to think of the idea as starting with Maus, a groundbreaking graphic novel about a family’s experience both during and after the Holocaust. Breath of Bones follows in this tradition though the point is different.


Breath of Bones might not attract some readers because of the lack of color, but the like Spielberg’s Schinlder’s List, the lack of color lends poignancy to the story. It fits the story. The use of color would cheapen the story.



Unlike many stories where the length of the Second World War is compressed, the length of the war for Europe is brought to the front of the story here. The story opens with a soldier, Noah, who finds himself in dire situation, somewhat similar to one that he faced near the start of the war when he was a boy. His small village saved a British pilot and the Germans come a calling.



And all students of history, even the most hap hazard know what means.

On the surface, the story is about Noah and his struggle to not only understand the war that affects and effects his life in tragic ways, but it is also about the struggle, small as an act can be, to resist. It is Noah’s grandfather who takes the lead and who create Golem portrayed on the cover. A figure of service and protection, the Golem is perhaps the most well known figure in Jewish folklore, though the creature doesn’t seem to attract the attention and favor of vampires and werewolves. This is somewhat disappointing because in one of the more basic aspects a golem is about love for family and for friends.



And that is the purpose of this golem, to protect those little people who so often in war need protection but do not get it. Mostly, if we continue with the ideas expressed in this graphic novel, it seems this lack of protection is because of a lack of knowledge or desire to mold good.



The story in this graphic novel is simple and yet, like the golem, therein lays the power of it.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I admit it I'm a sucker for a good Golem story and this is one of the better one come to my attention in recent years. I'm also a fan of Dark Horse Comics and I love graphic novels. We're talking a trifecta here. And it was pretty much win, win, win. Execellent story, well structured and gorgeously drawn. The entire creative and production team was firing on all pistons with this one. In fact I don't think there was single aspect that I didn't enjoy. Well, yeah, there was one thing that kind of pissed me off: it was long enough. Don't get me wrong the story is perefectly proportioned for the tale that was being told. Had it been longer it might have fallen into the trap that so many authors these days who structure their stories for the trades fall I to and take something that should a one or two issue story and drag it excruciatingly out into six issues for the sole purpose of having that filling a volume for a series. Sure I would have liked more of these characters and more with the Golem, but Niles & company reframed and kept the story tight, well-structured and emotionally impactful. Still, the fact that it's short was a bit of a disappointment.

[Tarmia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more, but it had far too simple a story line to allow me to become invested in the characters and circumstances. It was its simplicity that let it down, for its art was phenomenal and stunning. I wanted to feel more while reading this, but was unable to. It was a lovely, simple story that should have been longer to allow the reader to really create a connection with the characters.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed it, the message, the writing and the art were all superb, however for the it just wasn't enough.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a golem double-feature today - the other was Brik Collected Edition - and this was the less worse of the two by a sliver. Breath of Bones' main drawback is it is just dull as a lot of time is wasted waiting for a golem to be made. And then it fights Nazis. The end.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a few pages to get into this and get into the story (the pace doesn't exactly move here until the very end. Once I was into it, I loved this version of the classic golem protection story.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nicely illustrated and presented graphic novel would make a fantastic choice for YA readers, especially those who may be more difficult to reach with bland material.

[Ben Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this graphic novel at the library and decided to check it out just based on the cover and the fact that Steve Niles was involved.

I’m a little torn on this one. On one hand it has all the right beats of conflict and emotion, relatable characters, and cool black and white illustrations.

On the other hand, it’s pretty straightforward and simplistic. You read it, it does what you expect, and then it ends. Not a bad experience, but not what the hype online and from pull quotes would have led me to believe.

It’s one of those that people are either going to say is heartbreaking and deep…and others will say it’s kind of boring. You know those kinds of books I’m talking about? Normally I side with the critics, but on this one not so much.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely stunning graphic novel. It recalls Maus or Swamp Thing or The Arrival (by Shaun Tan) in its art and evocative emotion. Every comics fan (and even those who aren't) should read this.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would have been amazing if this graphic novel had been longer, but is still a beautiful story and graphic novel.

[Jonathan Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good - an interesting feel to the golem, really gives it an interesting feel. I recommend this to anyone - very good!

[Casey Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. The Golem was pretty cool looking. I liked its craggy back; its from the Earth and nit molded to perfection. The story is relatively basic, though. Would've liked to see the Golem smash some more Nazis.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stands as one of the most uplifting things that people can see. It certainly has that Rule of Cool feel but only because it demonstrates power and helplessness in a war. Nazis are always a threat to people and their transgressions against the Jewish is ingrained in this mini-series. So what better way to show a power fantasy with a price than the Jewish folklore icon, the Golem?

The Golem is a flexible symbol about war, community, isolation, hope, and despair. All of those describe what people facing evil and a war are in confrontation with. People need faith in times of hopelessness, especially considering that families are torn apart by war. Trying to preserve the innocence of children and the willingness to do good is what keeps these people going. The golem's appearance is something both hopeful and tragic. It's a symbol of Jewish faith going against its oppressors, but it always comes with a price, a price that needs a guiding hand.

That's just the writing, the monochromatic art is like seeing an old war documentary to recall this event. It's all presented in such a way to display hope and despair occupying the same space.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nazis come to terrorize a Jewish town. A boy and his grandfather deploy an age old weapon - a golem. Gripping and moving.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breath of Bones is a golem story set in Poland. This graphic novel, which contains parts 1, 2, and 3 of a series, introduces us to a boy named Noah whose father has gone away to join the allied forces. Noah’s grandfather, who is his mentor and best friend, does not expect to see Noah’s father return alive.

One day, Noah and his father are set at odds when a British plane crashes nearby and Noah insists that they take the injured pilot in and help him get better. Noah’s grandfather fears this will bring the scrutiny of the German forces, and of course, he is correct. The grandfather gifts Noah with a family heirloom, a small figure made of clay and mud.

This graphic novel isn’t just an epic fight scene between Nazis and a traditional Jewish superhero: it is also an examination of the love between Noah and his grandfather. Both beautifully and powerfully drawn, this book could be enjoyed by ages 9 and up, but could particularly be useful as a supplement to a unit on MAUS, or in a religious studies context. Perfect for superhero-crazed middle schoolers, and more substantial.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem
by Steve niles During world war two a small town has lost all of its men, the village is left to women, children and the elderly. A young boy is left without hope. His father gone,and the German army was coming. A pilot crashing outside of the town has brought the Germans quickly to the town. The young boys grandfather is attacked by the German soldiers gathering information about the crash. His last act is to create a Golem to protect his family and neighbors. The Golem could defend the people his grandfather loved, and save the child. This is an expansion of the Jewish traditional story to a heroic and inspirational change to some of the hardest times in the modern era. the drawings are dark and show the horrors of the time and place of the story.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel was beautifully drawn in black and white, but I found the story a bit too simple and anticlimactic. Set during WWII, a small village is in danger of being taken over by the Nazis when a grandfather teaches his grandson to create a large golum capable of warding off the oncoming war. However, the first two thirds of the story were just war background and info on the town to set up the plot, and only in the last section did the golum get built - and just as soon as he did, it was over. I wanted him to go to the front lines and win the war or something! Not just quietly defend this town for an hour.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far I've only read Niles' "Cal MacDonald" series, which I love, so "A Tale of the Golem" appealed to me. Niles incorporates the Jewish folktale of the Golem into a WWII Jewish town invaded by the Nazis. It's a fairly straightforward tale with no unexpected plot devices. It is however, still quite an emotionally charged story and one I enjoyed reading. The art is black and white and beautiful, though violent images are aplenty; this is a story of war and cruelty. Something a little different, Not my favourite Niles by a far shot but I certainly enjoyed it.

[Dean Simons · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fantastic art and the story has nice emotional beats however it inaccurately adapts the legend of the Golem create to suit its own purposes.

The jewish mystical aspect has been largely neutered and no reference is made to the original legend. No direct reference is made to the village being jewish (we are left to assume), which risks erasing the origins of the creature and making it a generic European village. A massive shame as the golem legend is a fascinating one.

Very disappointing and not well researched (or maybe it was "simplified" to make it less ethnic?)

[Saretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione su: http://wp.me/p3X6aw-9W
Review at: http://wp.me/p3X6aw-9W

[Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty predicable if you know what golems are but still good. It's a quick read.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written graphic. WW2 is approaching and a boy and his grandfather must help defend his village with the help of the ancient golem.