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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Wonderful. Amazing. It's not just that the illustrations are great or that the storyline is strong. It's more than that. In this book of the Contract with God trilogy, Eisner depicts the history of Dropsie Avenue over the years, beginning with 1870 and going well past the 60s. The depiction isn't just about how the land has changed but the rotation of people, memories and how that has affected a community a neighborhood. Reading book 3, reminded me of how I grew up, and where I am now. Not in the sense of this personal being but in the sense of place, location. We forget sometimes how land has its own memories of people and things. We forget how my neighborhood may have been yours, though our memories are not. It is easy to forget about place as a being, but on Dropsie Avenue Eisner magnifies it that it is hard to escape and easy to remember.
Book 3 doesn't bring a whole to the parts, it doesn't complete book 1 or book 2, in fact each novel stands on its own. But the idea is the place, the location, the transformation of how so many individuals who are connected and not connected intertwine because of a single entity. You start off becoming attached to these people, those people and their stories but it really is the story of a place of a building, a block, a neighborhood.
I am so glad that I stumbled upon these novels and I completely understand how a place, a physical aspect, a building, a street name, a block a town can carry so much more weight than our own minds and souls can hold. I am a sucker for the idea/concept of neighborhoods but because I know them and Eisner does such a wonderful job describing-explaining-stating, to be honest I can't even fully explain exactly how he has done what he has. I just know that he has, and the result is amazing.
Book 3 doesn't bring a whole to the parts, it doesn't complete book 1 or book 2, in fact each novel stands on its own. But the idea is the place, the location, the transformation of how so many individuals who are connected and not connected intertwine because of a single entity. You start off becoming attached to these people, those people and their stories but it really is the story of a place of a building, a block, a neighborhood.
I am so glad that I stumbled upon these novels and I completely understand how a place, a physical aspect, a building, a street name, a block a town can carry so much more weight than our own minds and souls can hold. I am a sucker for the idea/concept of neighborhoods but because I know them and Eisner does such a wonderful job describing-explaining-stating, to be honest I can't even fully explain exactly how he has done what he has. I just know that he has, and the result is amazing.
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wonderful, beautiful, sad, uplifting. A truly great graphic novel. No wonder Will Eisner is held with such high esteem
a good, last chapter in the "Contract" Trilogy, but a puzzling last page. If anyone reads this ever, gimme a call. I'd like to discuss. Oh, and P.S. - if duder who made "the Wire" never read these, I'd be shocked. Not that there's any silly police-talk in here, but similarly themed at their cores. Though this has more compelling characters. and is generally good, where the Wire is not. man! this review was only going to be like 3 lines, and then I go thinking about that show, and I can't help but take shots at it wherever I can!! help!!!
I love graphic novels (or sequential art if you prefer), and I've read many that were awarded with an Eisner, but I couldn't find many of his works at the library. I found this one and The Plot, both of which had very similar themes. I didn't love the art as much as I expected, but the story was exceptional. I hope I can find more so I can finish this series especially (I feel like I sorta missed out on something, even tho this told a full story. I also just really want to know more about the history of graphic novels and the authors that really brought them into more prominence.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This graphic novel covers the life-cycle of a neighborhood. Eisner's art and words work together seamlessly to show vignettes about the changing people, ideas, and politics that shape the lives of the people in Dropsie Ave. Very thought-provoking, but Eisner makes the reader work to recognize recurring characters as they age and change. It's also highly symbolic at times. It's about as far from a "comic book" as you can get, but that's actually a compliment.
"...How do we get the city to develop it?"
"You don't! Whites are pulling out!!"
Or as John Oliver would put it, "funding tends to follow white people around the way white people follow the band Phish around." lol
I preferred this one to the other two in the trilogy, but all in all, it was a interesting story of a neighborhood in New York City and its change in development, population, and political climate throughout the decades by following the lives of various different tenants. The more graphic novels I read the more I become aware of my artistic preferences. It varies but just like with Asterios Polyp, I've come to love more simpler artwork that's also deals with little or no color. I loved the sepia tones with this trilogy. However, I also love graphic novels like Saga that are teeming with color. Anyway, it was a good read and the nostalgic ending of Dropsie Avenue really wrapped up nicely and gave true meaning to everything comes full circle and the fact that humans do a great job of spouting out sayings like: Those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it, but do a horrible job of actually heeding those words.
"You don't! Whites are pulling out!!"
Or as John Oliver would put it, "funding tends to follow white people around the way white people follow the band Phish around." lol
I preferred this one to the other two in the trilogy, but all in all, it was a interesting story of a neighborhood in New York City and its change in development, population, and political climate throughout the decades by following the lives of various different tenants. The more graphic novels I read the more I become aware of my artistic preferences. It varies but just like with Asterios Polyp, I've come to love more simpler artwork that's also deals with little or no color. I loved the sepia tones with this trilogy. However, I also love graphic novels like Saga that are teeming with color. Anyway, it was a good read and the nostalgic ending of Dropsie Avenue really wrapped up nicely and gave true meaning to everything comes full circle and the fact that humans do a great job of spouting out sayings like: Those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it, but do a horrible job of actually heeding those words.
An epic story of generations living in a neighborhood, the slow changes and demise that lead to its end. A whole lot of "man's inhumanity towards man". Heartbreaking.
Nic specjalnego, doceniam kilka rzeczy w tym komiksie, ale to nie dla mnie.