The Amazing Ointment

Les Feux d'Askell #1

by Christophe Arleston, Jean-Louis Mourier (Illustrator)

Cybil, danseuse érotique, Dao X’ian, mercenaire, Brumaire, voleur et lanceur de couteaux, Keresquin, poète et Title, mousse se retrouvent réunis par le plus grand des hasards. Cet équipage hétéroclite est poursuivi par les prêtres articuleurs. Le premier épisode de cette saga fantasy est plaisant avec un scénario vivant.

Genres: Comics, Bande Dessinée, Graphic Novels, Sequential Art

44 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1993

About the author

Christophe Arleston is the common pen name of French comic book writer and editor Christophe Pelinq. He is best known for creating the Lanfeust of Troy series and its many sequels and prequels.

He also worked as "Scotch Arleston".

Reviews

[Ollectro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is pherhaps one of the better graphic novels that I have read. Sublime artwork and great storytelling. FinalFantasy, waterworld, Conan, Seamonsters, ultra violence, subtle pornography,Temples,humor, friendship,characteristics, thieves,barbarians,strippers,performers,artists, corruption, ohmygod and so much more..
Awesome..! Since I have read it the characters remained in my mind.. I am wondering still how they fare right now since the story abruptley ended with the third album.
Definetly MUST read.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Currently available on Kindle Unlimited, this is the first part of a two part adventure. These comments cover both parts.

This is a straightforward, competently done heroic fantasy. Set in a well realised Earthsea-type world of exotic islands, this violent, erotic (or even borderline pornographic), and humorous story follows a chance-met group of immoral rogues as they try to avoid the trouble they inevitably attract just by being themselves. The central character is a stripper who inevitably stirs up the worst male behaviour, another is a warrior who can’t help but intervene out of love of fighting, and then we have an irrepressible thief whose heist of a secret formula causes most of the trouble, a comedic poet who happens to own a boat, and a precocious smart Alec who brings the smarts. They face down corrupt merchants, corrupt priests, slavers, monsters, and a plague in a series of well realised escapades. The writing is dynamic and fluid and the art is imaginative and cinematic. All of it is well done, but not particularly original. It’s just the sort of stuff you get in fantasy movies. Good popcorn stuff, but forgettable.

On the one hand, the hyper-sexualised lone female character is a bit cringey to say the least. This is not a book for kids! The story is driven by her exposing herself time and again, and has a rape scene. On the other hand, she has far more competence and agency than most female characters in heroic fantasy stories whatever the medium, and she uses her body as a weapon very effectively albeit rather exploitatively. I had considered a “something bothered me” score of two out of five on this account, but relented as the character is not a helpless victim as so often presented. Perhaps I’m being over generous.

I don’t think this is a classic to revisit, but it’s an entertaining example of the genre, done well. Hence three stars in the end.

[Francelino De · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma obra-prima dos quadrinhos fantásticos. O duo de Arleston e Mourier traz tudo que se pode querer, com o domínio completo de ação, humor, personalidade e criatividade, tudo nas proporções certas. A escrita tem todas as características tarimbadas de Arleston: o cinismo, as intrigas, os personagens moralmente ambíguos mas tudo com o tempero crucial de uma só pitada de idealismo, que pelo contexto parece brilhar mais forte. Os personagens são imediatamente icônicos, especialmente o elenco principal, composto pelo o poeta presunçoso Keresquin, o garoto trabalhador Tittle, a gaiata dançarina exó- e erótica Cybil, o mercenário sisudo Dao'Xian e o sorrateiro ladrão Brumaire Adaga-Curta. Todos parecem cumprir um papel manjado à primeira vista, mas imediatamente a caracterização rompe os trejeitos típicos e cada um deles demonstra naturalmente traços inesperados. Acima de tudo a interação entre eles é de uma química maravilhosa, que inclusive dá sinais de só melhorar, até o fim tão precoce da série. A arte de Mourier então, é algo divino! O domínio que ele tem de todos os aspectos é algo que choca mesmo ao rever pela milésima ver as páginas. Os rostos de cada personagem não são somente únicos mas também demonstram toda uma gama de emoções, com diferenças sutis. Os designs do mundo, com as roupas, as culturas, as criaturas, são de uma criatividade invejável, além de uma coerência que dá vida ao mundo de Askell. E a pintura?! Coisa de outro mundo, com o sol refletido nas águas de um mar tão realista que só falta se mexer! Esta série só ter três edições é por um lado uma tragédia, mas também às vezes me parece que algo de tanta qualidade não pode existir por tanto tempo no mundo. Certamente não com essa pintura tão elaborada! A dupla depois migrou para o excelente Trolls de Troy (embora não tanto), desta vez com cores mais típicas dos quadrinhos franceses, o que acredito que seja um pouco mais autossustentável. Sou grato pelo que tivemos, e recomendo a todos fortemente!

[Geert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent graphics but the story is so-so

[Spaboulecteur · Rating 1 out of 5]

la couverture laissait penser à une oeuvre peu reluisante pour son personnage féminin, mais c'était pire que ça. on dirait le fantasme malsain de deux cochons