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Borgia #1
Blood for the Pope
The Borgias have always been fascinating. Famous for giving us some of Rome's most distinguished dignitaries in the 16th Century, but also for their Machiavellian cunning and their skills with poisons, the Borgias are a symbol of Renaissance decadence. Jodorowsky and Manara have made the story of that diabolical dynasty their own, to bring us a forceful saga that combines power, betrayal, death and sacrilege
56 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
7 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
About the author
Alejandro Jodorowsky
693 books1,943 followersAlso credited as Alexandro Jodorowsky
Better known for his surreal films El Topo and The Holy Mountain filmed in the early 1970s, Alejandro Jodorowsky is also an accomplished writer of graphic novels and a psychotherapist. He developed Psychomagic, a combination of psychotherapy and shamanic magic. His fans have included John Lennon and Marilyn Manson.
Better known for his surreal films El Topo and The Holy Mountain filmed in the early 1970s, Alejandro Jodorowsky is also an accomplished writer of graphic novels and a psychotherapist. He developed Psychomagic, a combination of psychotherapy and shamanic magic. His fans have included John Lennon and Marilyn Manson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 18, 2015
This series is just so terrible! If anyone wants to know, just think of this: take all the most salacious rumours, and I mean the truly over-the-top salacious ones that would make the idlest gossiper blush, and add a few more completely over-the-top plot points of your own elevated to the Nth potency. Presto, you have this . . . stuff.
Seriously, we all know the Borgias are a very understandably (in)famous family, and the titillating tales of their corrupt history make for great fiction, entertaining TV shows. But there should be a line in the sand not to be crossed when it comes to them, or the storyline simply becomes unrealistic, unreadable and defamatory. As an example of points this contains, a button: the Cesare/Lucrezia incest has long been a major plotline in all fiction about the Borgias, depicted variously as either unhealthy or as a tragic impossible love. Yet here it's just disturbing because And that's just scratching the surface of this problematic characterisation.
If you want a historically accurate graphic novel, forget about reading this. If you want a historically inaccurate yet compellingly narrated graphic novel, forget about reading this too. What's more, I heartily recommend you to forget all about this, unless you are into hentai.
Seriously, we all know the Borgias are a very understandably (in)famous family, and the titillating tales of their corrupt history make for great fiction, entertaining TV shows. But there should be a line in the sand not to be crossed when it comes to them, or the storyline simply becomes unrealistic, unreadable and defamatory. As an example of points this contains, a button: the Cesare/Lucrezia incest has long been a major plotline in all fiction about the Borgias, depicted variously as either unhealthy or as a tragic impossible love. Yet here it's just disturbing because And that's just scratching the surface of this problematic characterisation.
If you want a historically accurate graphic novel, forget about reading this. If you want a historically inaccurate yet compellingly narrated graphic novel, forget about reading this too. What's more, I heartily recommend you to forget all about this, unless you are into hentai.
December 14, 2014
A set of four albums illustrated by pin-up artist Milo Manara that excells in the graphic art department but I'm not so sure it captures the history of the Borgia family accurately. I believe Jodorowsky and Manara insist too much on the graphic nudity and explicit violence and not enough on the political games and the whole Renaissance movement. interesting cameos from Machiavelli and Savonarola. More Heavy Metal than historical fiction.
Warnig : Adult Material!
Warnig : Adult Material!
June 19, 2015
Skandal im vatikanischen Sperrbezirk
Man nehme alles, was sich an skandalösen, verruchten, bizarren, fetischistischen und perversen Anekdoten über Päpste und Kardinäle finden lässt, vermische das mit einem guten Schuss Sensationsgeilheit, einer üppigen Dosis nackter Haut und zur Schau gestelltem Sex und ein paar Abartigen Lebensverlängerungsmaßnahmen, garniere das ganze dann mit völliger Plot- und Zusammenhangslosigkeit und Hintergründen, die mit den wippenden nackten Tatsachen nicht mithalten können, und voila! Man hat den ersten Band von "Borgia" gelesen.
Immerhin gibts haufenweise Titten.
Man nehme alles, was sich an skandalösen, verruchten, bizarren, fetischistischen und perversen Anekdoten über Päpste und Kardinäle finden lässt, vermische das mit einem guten Schuss Sensationsgeilheit, einer üppigen Dosis nackter Haut und zur Schau gestelltem Sex und ein paar Abartigen Lebensverlängerungsmaßnahmen, garniere das ganze dann mit völliger Plot- und Zusammenhangslosigkeit und Hintergründen, die mit den wippenden nackten Tatsachen nicht mithalten können, und voila! Man hat den ersten Band von "Borgia" gelesen.
Immerhin gibts haufenweise Titten.
August 16, 2012
Manara's art is indeed beautiful yet crude, but that wasn't enough in this book.
Although the story is more than interesting, the way it was told was just not subtle. We had dialogues that were nothing more than exposition and scenes that just happened too fast, too uncoordinated, for it to be truly enjoyed.
I just didn't like how this was told, despite the interesting theme and the gorgeous art. On the other hand the crudeness didn't bother me that much (although at times this was tested).
I don't think I'll be reading the remaining of the series.
Although the story is more than interesting, the way it was told was just not subtle. We had dialogues that were nothing more than exposition and scenes that just happened too fast, too uncoordinated, for it to be truly enjoyed.
I just didn't like how this was told, despite the interesting theme and the gorgeous art. On the other hand the crudeness didn't bother me that much (although at times this was tested).
I don't think I'll be reading the remaining of the series.
April 5, 2015
There's no page for the complete series hardback, so that's what I'm reviewing here. As you might expect from the creator of "Holy Mountain" (Jodorowsky) and "Click" (Manara) "The Borgias" is a relentlessly lurid affair, with every page containing pornography or gore, both together when we're lucky. The biography of the Borgias shown here is a combination of every illicit rumor about them, so expect three way incest, famous medieval figures whoring, butchering of enemies, etc etc. There's an introductory blurb which frames this as the nature the powered, sex and humiliation used to express complete dominance, and there certainly is a 120 days of sodom element to it. For me, I viewed it more in the context of the time, that your average medieval peasant was probably quite open to believing these sort of stories about the pope, providing he lived in a kingdom that opposed his rule. Not to say that the Borgias weren't awful people, they were, but historical realism is definitely in the back seat here. And its this hyper stimulation of sex and violence that is both the draw of the book, and the weakness of it. By the time the book is finishing up, and the scenes have moved more from the erotic into sexual dominance and war, the plot feels increasingly shallow, existing only to provide the backdrop for more and more intense images. For the curious, its a worthwhile and vivid read, just not one that will leave you with much to reflect on after you've closed the cover.
November 28, 2012
Manara's art is beautiful amazing even, but the story... there's no rhythm, no pacing, no real depth to any character. The whole thing seems to be a 13 year old's idea of how to shock his grandma.
November 2, 2018
Rating:1 Star
The only thing I liked about this was the artwork.
This is just the worst of the rumors surrounding the Borgias at the level. There is some things that are somewhat accurate but not enough.
The only thing I liked about this was the artwork.
This is just the worst of the rumors surrounding the Borgias at the level. There is some things that are somewhat accurate but not enough.
April 24, 2009
The Borgias or Borjas were an Italian noble family of Spanish origin remembered today for their corrupt rule of the Papacy during the Renaissance. They are in fact thought to be "history's first criminal family" and a forerunner to the Italian Mafia.
The story opens up with the admonitions made by the philosopher Savonarola against the city of Rome--of it becoming a city of sin & listing down the atrocities being committed by the Pope & his bevy of cardinals while using God as their source of power.
The Plague has ravaged Rome and caught in the middle is the machinations of the candidacy towards pope hood by Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia...
Book Details:
Title The Borgia #1 Blood for the Pope
Author Alexander Jodorowsky & Milo Manara
Reviewed By Purplycookie
The story opens up with the admonitions made by the philosopher Savonarola against the city of Rome--of it becoming a city of sin & listing down the atrocities being committed by the Pope & his bevy of cardinals while using God as their source of power.
The Plague has ravaged Rome and caught in the middle is the machinations of the candidacy towards pope hood by Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia...
Book Details:
Title The Borgia #1 Blood for the Pope
Author Alexander Jodorowsky & Milo Manara
Reviewed By Purplycookie
April 20, 2012
I... uh... don't really know how I feel about this book? This has left me absolutely speechless, which isn't common at all when it comes to books. You see, I suppose that's a good thing. It's also a good thing that I couldn't put the book down until I've read all of it, but I'm not sure I want to buy the rest of the series' books. Part of me wants to just to see how they portray what happens next, but the content in itself is so heavy and jaw-dropping that I'm not sure how I feel about it.
There's this one scene that will haunt my nightmares, I swear. It's disgusting. And it means to be disgusting, so again, the author and artist have done a good job. I liked it, and if I have a chance maybe I'll buy the rest of the books as well. But not sure I have the stomach to keep going, to be honest.
There's this one scene that will haunt my nightmares, I swear. It's disgusting. And it means to be disgusting, so again, the author and artist have done a good job. I liked it, and if I have a chance maybe I'll buy the rest of the books as well. But not sure I have the stomach to keep going, to be honest.
May 13, 2017
This is undoubtedly the worst thing I've ever (almost) read. This has absolutely nothing to do with the Borgia family. There's no plot whatsoever. Horrific on every level possible. If you want to read this because you're interested in the history of the Borgias don't do it. It's not worth your money and your time.
June 9, 2016
A largely, forgettable misguided attempt to be irreverent.
January 10, 2017
Manara and Jodorowsky sittin on a tree... <3
August 29, 2019
La storia è divisa in 4 volumi, ma questa recensione vale per tutti.
Prima di tutto lasciatemi scrivere una cosa che mai avrei pensato di dover dire, ma leggendo altre recensioni è necessario: i disegni sono di Milo Manara, fumettista universalmente noto per disegni che vanno dal sensuale all'erotico. Sì, questa storia contiene uomini e donne nude.
Superato lo "shock" della nudità, devo ammettere che la storia è avvincente. I Lannister hanno solo da imparare dai Borgia. Mi aspettavo tuttavia più veleni, soprattutto da Lucrezia. Il quarto libro, il finale, mi è sembrato fin troppo veloce.
Prima di tutto lasciatemi scrivere una cosa che mai avrei pensato di dover dire, ma leggendo altre recensioni è necessario: i disegni sono di Milo Manara, fumettista universalmente noto per disegni che vanno dal sensuale all'erotico. Sì, questa storia contiene uomini e donne nude.
Superato lo "shock" della nudità, devo ammettere che la storia è avvincente. I Lannister hanno solo da imparare dai Borgia. Mi aspettavo tuttavia più veleni, soprattutto da Lucrezia. Il quarto libro, il finale, mi è sembrato fin troppo veloce.
August 17, 2019
Para lectores adultos es esta historia de sexo violencia y guerras
September 28, 2019
Splendour of flawless art in an orgy of perversions and Renaissance grandeur. Gorgeusly and shamelessly Manara.
March 24, 2017
La mejor forma de disfrutar Los Borgias con guiones del excéntrico escritor, director de cine, actor y dramaturgo chileno Alejandro Jodorowsky es reconocer que la historia no sólo la cuentan los que ganan sino que también son en muchos casos contadas por novelistas, historiadores pagos o fuertemente influenciados por interesados, o simplemente no dejan de ser puntos de vistas o versiones superficiales de los hechos concretos. Sabiendo esto de entrada, se podría decir que las historias que cuentan Milo Manara y Jodorowsky acerca de esta infame familia no son menos verdaderas que otras fuentes. La historia de Los Borgia en general está teñida de prejuicios y tintes novelescos, mientras que los testimonios documentales fiables son insuficientes. Por el simple hecho de haber incluido en el guión aspectos fuertemente polémicos y haberse basado en mitos o leyendas sobre la familia puede que esta obra se acerque más a lo que realmente pasó en la intimidad entre los personajes que cualquier otra obra contada de forma más "apta para todo público". En la exageración propuesta por Jodorowsky seguramente se encuentren elementos más puros que encarnan mejor a los personajes de lo que uno podría apreciar en un texto leído de un libro o en wikipedia.
El primer tomo es una excelente introducción a los planes codiciosos de Alejandro VI y su camino hacia el poder.
Los dibujos de Milo Manara en esta obra en particular son de lo mejor que he visto del maestro, la acuarela es soberbia y la historia por sí misma permitió una diversa gama de situaciones, vestimentas ostentosas, peleas violentas, derramamiento de sangre, vistas, escenarios y desnudos eróticos que valen la pena apreciar con detenimiento.
Muy Recomendado!
El primer tomo es una excelente introducción a los planes codiciosos de Alejandro VI y su camino hacia el poder.
Los dibujos de Milo Manara en esta obra en particular son de lo mejor que he visto del maestro, la acuarela es soberbia y la historia por sí misma permitió una diversa gama de situaciones, vestimentas ostentosas, peleas violentas, derramamiento de sangre, vistas, escenarios y desnudos eróticos que valen la pena apreciar con detenimiento.
Muy Recomendado!
January 8, 2012
Jawdropping... o.o
Keluarga kontroversial yang satu ini merupakan bahan baku yang menarik dan tidak ada habisnya untuk dijadikan bahan cerita dengan berbagai sudut pandang. Mario Puzo mengisahkan mereka dalam novel The Family. Mangaka menuliskan ulang versinya dalam Cantarella (You Higuri) dan Cesare (Fuyumi Soryo). Belum lagi dalam bentuk serial teve dan game (Assasin Creed, anyone?).
Tapi, penggambaran keluarga Borgia dan kebobrokan Gereja Vatikan dalam komik ini jauh lebih vulgar dibanding novel, manga, atau serial teve yang pernah kuikuti.
Paus yang demi mengobati sakitnya, minum ASI (langsung dari sumbernya) dan menerima donor darah sampai para remaja pendonornya tewas...
Rodrigo Borgia yang terang-terangan menggunakan segala cara untuk menjadi Paus berikutnya (suap, iming-iming, ancaman dan kekerasan yang digunakan lebih parah dibanding di serial teve Showtime)...
Cesare di sini masih muda, kekanak-kanakan, egois dan norak (jauh banget dari gambaran Cesare yang cerdas di manga Fuyumi Soryo!)...
Lucrezia di sini entah kenapa tampak lebih tua dari Cesare di sini, dan dengan vulgar bercinta dengan Giulia di depan banyak biarawati...
Micheletto, di sini patuh buta pada Rodrigo dan kelihatannya menikmati semua pembunuhan yang dilakukannya (Give my Michel/Miguel back, please!)
Komik ini memang bukan untuk anak-anak.
Keluarga kontroversial yang satu ini merupakan bahan baku yang menarik dan tidak ada habisnya untuk dijadikan bahan cerita dengan berbagai sudut pandang. Mario Puzo mengisahkan mereka dalam novel The Family. Mangaka menuliskan ulang versinya dalam Cantarella (You Higuri) dan Cesare (Fuyumi Soryo). Belum lagi dalam bentuk serial teve dan game (Assasin Creed, anyone?).
Tapi, penggambaran keluarga Borgia dan kebobrokan Gereja Vatikan dalam komik ini jauh lebih vulgar dibanding novel, manga, atau serial teve yang pernah kuikuti.
Paus yang demi mengobati sakitnya, minum ASI (langsung dari sumbernya) dan menerima donor darah sampai para remaja pendonornya tewas...
Rodrigo Borgia yang terang-terangan menggunakan segala cara untuk menjadi Paus berikutnya (suap, iming-iming, ancaman dan kekerasan yang digunakan lebih parah dibanding di serial teve Showtime)...
Cesare di sini masih muda, kekanak-kanakan, egois dan norak (jauh banget dari gambaran Cesare yang cerdas di manga Fuyumi Soryo!)...
Lucrezia di sini entah kenapa tampak lebih tua dari Cesare di sini, dan dengan vulgar bercinta dengan Giulia di depan banyak biarawati...
Micheletto, di sini patuh buta pada Rodrigo dan kelihatannya menikmati semua pembunuhan yang dilakukannya (Give my Michel/Miguel back, please!)
Komik ini memang bukan untuk anak-anak.
June 19, 2014
Jeg ved ikke helt hvad jeg skal give den af stjerner. Jeg læste de to første i serien for snart 10-15 år siden og dengang var den selvfølgelig ekstra spændende pga det meget seksuelle indhold (illustratoren Milo Manara er trods alt en af de største navne inden for erotiske tegneserier).
Jeg har sidenhen set (de lige så erotiske) tv afsnit fra serien Borgia og kender historien om dem godt. For nylig opdagede jeg så at der siden jeg læste serien er kommet et fjerde og sidste bind til (og jeg mener ikke jeg nogensinde læste nr.3), og følte det var på tide at genlæse tegneserien.
Bog 1 i sig selv er hurtigt overstået og slutter brat, men der når at ske meget på siderne og det er alligevel (mere eller mindre) ægte historie den portrætterer.
Barndommens glæde vil gerne give den 4, jeg elsker Manara's tegnestil og vil egentlig også gerne give den 4, men et eller andet i mig siger bare den ikke helt er 4 hver. Sproget er lidt kluntet og stiltet og historien lidt spag. 3-3½ stjerner bliver det til.
Jeg har sidenhen set (de lige så erotiske) tv afsnit fra serien Borgia og kender historien om dem godt. For nylig opdagede jeg så at der siden jeg læste serien er kommet et fjerde og sidste bind til (og jeg mener ikke jeg nogensinde læste nr.3), og følte det var på tide at genlæse tegneserien.
Bog 1 i sig selv er hurtigt overstået og slutter brat, men der når at ske meget på siderne og det er alligevel (mere eller mindre) ægte historie den portrætterer.
Barndommens glæde vil gerne give den 4, jeg elsker Manara's tegnestil og vil egentlig også gerne give den 4, men et eller andet i mig siger bare den ikke helt er 4 hver. Sproget er lidt kluntet og stiltet og historien lidt spag. 3-3½ stjerner bliver det til.
February 12, 2013
This is a series about the Borgias and their dynasty. This wonderful comics will show you a few glimpses into medieval world and how Rodrigo Borgia became the Pope.
So far one would expect a typical dry story. Like, when one thinks about somebody being the Pope there are some things that go along. Like holiness, piety, virtues and chastity, right?
And not bleeding dry two young people so you can steal their blood, sucking milk form a girls breast, locking her up and then killing her baby? No? Here it does go along.
Would you say that is blasphemy? I would say blasphemy is a understatement for what these dudes and dudettes do:)
So far one would expect a typical dry story. Like, when one thinks about somebody being the Pope there are some things that go along. Like holiness, piety, virtues and chastity, right?
And not bleeding dry two young people so you can steal their blood, sucking milk form a girls breast, locking her up and then killing her baby? No? Here it does go along.
Would you say that is blasphemy? I would say blasphemy is a understatement for what these dudes and dudettes do:)
October 15, 2021
Lido pela primeira vez em 2014 e relido agora em 2021, anos depois de ter tomado contacto com outras obras cujo tema é a família Bórgia...
Penso que os acontecimentos que marcaram esta família e que lhe deram a fama que têm até hoje, são aqui demasiado exagerados. Mas enfim, a infâmia geralmente alimenta as histórias escritas séculos depois de os verdadeiros acontecimentos terem ocorrido e sobre os quais, na realidade, pouco se sabe.
Os desenhos de Manara são bonitos, mas obviamente com nudez por vezes desenecessária e lascívia exagerada.
Penso que os acontecimentos que marcaram esta família e que lhe deram a fama que têm até hoje, são aqui demasiado exagerados. Mas enfim, a infâmia geralmente alimenta as histórias escritas séculos depois de os verdadeiros acontecimentos terem ocorrido e sobre os quais, na realidade, pouco se sabe.
Os desenhos de Manara são bonitos, mas obviamente com nudez por vezes desenecessária e lascívia exagerada.
August 21, 2019
Truely aweful. The story is terrible. The pacing just jumps around. The dialogue is the worst I've seen in a comic. The kids just whine and take emotional 180's constantly, and the dialogue gets to the point that one character just screams "BORGIA!" constantly over and over again in each panel for no real reason.
I was hoping for an interesting Borgia tale, but instead this is all just shock factor. This graphic novel is just boring, disturbing and pathetically way overly sexualized. It's a complete waste of time.
I was hoping for an interesting Borgia tale, but instead this is all just shock factor. This graphic novel is just boring, disturbing and pathetically way overly sexualized. It's a complete waste of time.
July 27, 2015
Borgia left me craving for more. It is a story of cunning and diplomacy, combined with some of the most erotic and disgusting elements in the corruption of the Roman Church.
I really enjoyed the writing and art work, certainly not for everyone but if you are looking for something sick then Borgia is for you
I really enjoyed the writing and art work, certainly not for everyone but if you are looking for something sick then Borgia is for you
January 1, 2016
Beautifully illustrated book. Artist talent is exceptional.
I am not very familiar with the historical event relating to Borgia, but I find the story line intriguing and entertaining. Although I must say that the book is but too bloody and violent for my taste. However I think that is rather standard with the Graphic Novels.
Overall an enjoyable book with wonderful drawings.
I am not very familiar with the historical event relating to Borgia, but I find the story line intriguing and entertaining. Although I must say that the book is but too bloody and violent for my taste. However I think that is rather standard with the Graphic Novels.
Overall an enjoyable book with wonderful drawings.
July 17, 2017
I usually don't like graphic novels/comics, but I loved this one.
The art is amazing and the story is quite real, without any lies.
I don't really have anything else to say, except I can't wait for volume 2.
The art is amazing and the story is quite real, without any lies.
I don't really have anything else to say, except I can't wait for volume 2.
August 20, 2017
Mahtavaa kuvastoa ja kiehtova ympäristö. Asiat tuntuivat kuitenkin tapahtuvan kovin nopeasti. Kai tätä voisi kutsua renesanssieksploitaatioksi. Sellaisena oikein onnistunut. Täytyy kyllä lukea loputkin osat.
November 15, 2013
stupendo Manara, in abbinata con Jodorowski diventa epico
January 28, 2014
Jodorowsky e Manara juntos, numa história densa e crua sobre esses importantes personagens. Algumas das cenas dessa edição certamente irão me assombrar
February 4, 2015
The art is very well done, but the writing is utterly stupid.
November 6, 2015
The only thing I liked about this was the artwork.
June 11, 2017
It had a sweet forbidden taste at first, now that I reread it's just underwhelming and poorly developed. But I appreciate the ballsy-ness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews