Scott Graham
Added to listOwnedwith 112 books.
Added to listOwnedwith 111 books.
17 issue comic series read in a graphic novel compendium format mixes a sci-fi world with a historic medieval earth sensibility to relate the tale of a family that has sequestered from the larger society to remain pure from the rot that infests it. The title of the series starts as a loose confederation of creatures to bring an end to society’s ills by separating the king from his thrall and restoring justice to the world and the good name of the protagonist and his family, but turns out to be a double entendre that we don’t learn until the close of the story, when all is lost and corrupted. Our hero is the villain, the villain sought an end, and all the other characters were playing the angles for a piece of their own small part of the world. A very nihilistic story told during nihilistic times. Great art and a very entertaining dark tale.
17 issue comic series read in a graphic novel compendium format mixes a sci-fi world with a historic medieval earth sensibility to relate the tale of a family that has sequestered from the larger society to remain pure from the rot that infests it. The title of the series starts as a loose confederation of creatures to bring an end to society’s ills by separating the king from his thrall and restoring justice to the world and the good name of the protagonist and his family, but turns out to be a double entendre that we don’t learn until the close of the story, when all is lost and corrupted. Our hero is the villain, the villain sought an end, and all the other characters were playing the angles for a piece of their own small part of the world. A very nihilistic story told during nihilistic times. Great art and a very entertaining dark tale.
My September 2025 foray into the Victober book challenge was interesting both historically and as an early example of a drawing room mystery. The ill-gotten yellow diamond called the moonstone is vindictively presented to the daughter of the plunderer’s cousin, and it quickly demonstrates the curse placed on it in antiquity to guard against its theft. The gem is stolen, the household is put asunder, lovers are separated and death follows in the wake. Action follows the pursuit of the thief and the diamond, from the feckless police to the emotional servants and family of the house, and various retainers, until the mystery is sol-ved. There is no Jane Marple or Hercule Poirot here. Many facts are hidden from the reader until their divulging is required in the narrative, and the florid prose uses 20 words when only 5 are needed for a contemporary audience, but the colorful characters and satisfying ending forgive most sins and leaves the reader with a sincere appreciation for the place of the novel in Victorian and mystery literature canon.
My September 2025 foray into the Victober book challenge was interesting both historically and as an early example of a drawing room mystery. The ill-gotten yellow diamond called the moonstone is vindictively presented to the daughter of the plunderer’s cousin, and it quickly demonstrates the curse placed on it in antiquity to guard against its theft. The gem is stolen, the household is put asunder, lovers are separated and death follows in the wake. Action follows the pursuit of the thief and the diamond, from the feckless police to the emotional servants and family of the house, and various retainers, until the mystery is sol-ved. There is no Jane Marple or Hercule Poirot here. Many facts are hidden from the reader until their divulging is required in the narrative, and the florid prose uses 20 words when only 5 are needed for a contemporary audience, but the colorful characters and satisfying ending forgive most sins and leaves the reader with a sincere appreciation for the place of the novel in Victorian and mystery literature canon.
