Authors: Xavier Dorison, Emmanuel Herzet; illustrated by Cédric Babouche
Age: 15 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 64 colour pages
Publication: September 2021
£9.99
ISBN: 9781849185486
https://www.cinebook.co.uk/swan-song-part-1-p-4457.html
1917. Nivelle – ‘the butcher’ – commands the French Army, and the attacks he keeps ordering are pointless slaughters. The soldiers can’t take it any more. Discontent is turning into rebellion, and a petition is being circulated in secret. When it makes its way to the men of Sergeant Sabiane, something snaps in them, and what begins as a simple cry of defiance becomes a full-blown mutiny when a handful of them decide to take the petition to Paris …
Number of pages: 72 colour pages
Publication: October 2021
ISBN: 9781849185493
£10.99
https://www.cinebook.co.uk/swan-song-part-2-p-4461.html
Kazinky has finally proven his loyalty once and for all to his small band of rebels. The ambush he set for their pursuers with Sergeant Sabiane destroyed their vehicles and even injured their leader, Morvan. But ‘the Puzzle’ never gives up on a prey. Soon, the mutineers must face the hardest choice of all. Continuing means killing other Frenchmen. Stopping means abandoning their friends, maybe even betraying them. In the end, do they even stand a chance of succeeding?
The story here is dramatic with twists and turns and, as you might expect, the violence is graphic considering the subject. The thing that I cannot get around is the artwork of Babouche. It is almost sketchy with a sub-anime look to it and to be honest I have to say that I felt it detracted from the story. At points I was looking at the art then finding it jarred with the dialogue.
The covers look nice but show something of the style but it is "clean" compared to the interior work. I had to look online for a page example (no scaner or camera)
If I read it again in a week might it grow on me? I doubt it and the point is that as a reviewer I have to be honest even about a book published by my favourite company. I have to go by first read as well as the first 2-3 looks at the art.
Nice big books but not for me.
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