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Dancy Flammarion #GN1
Alabaster: Wolves
For nearly as long as she can remember, Dancy Flammarion has fought monsters, cutting a bloody swath through the demons and dark things of the world, aimed like a weapon by forces beyond her control or questioning. But now, for the first time, Dancy finds herself alone--and the wolves are closing in.
Collects Issues #1-5.
Collects Issues #1-5.
136 pages, Hardcover
First published April 18, 2012
12 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
About the author
CaitlÃn R. Kiernan
404Ìýbooks1,626ÌýfollowersCaitlÃn Rebekah Kiernan is an Irish-born American published paleontologist and author of science fiction and dark fantasy works, including ten novels, series of comic books, and more than two hundred and fifty published short stories, novellas, and vignettes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
December 12, 2018
Graphic and text do different things. Of course, that's obvious.
It was very odd reading this version, having already read the novel. It's still a solid, fun story, but with a very different tone. The most prominent difference is that in the novel it is never clear how much of what goes in is really happening or whether the protagonist is imagining all or some of it. Darcy is more clearly imbalanced when you are seeing things through her thoughts. It reads as more akin to where as the graphic version is clearly "Argh! Werewolf attack!"
You can probably guess from my review that I preferred the original. But this was faster and less creepy, so if you're looking for a good fantasy horror comic with tough girls and a fun talking bird, here you go.
It was very odd reading this version, having already read the novel. It's still a solid, fun story, but with a very different tone. The most prominent difference is that in the novel it is never clear how much of what goes in is really happening or whether the protagonist is imagining all or some of it. Darcy is more clearly imbalanced when you are seeing things through her thoughts. It reads as more akin to where as the graphic version is clearly "Argh! Werewolf attack!"
You can probably guess from my review that I preferred the original. But this was faster and less creepy, so if you're looking for a good fantasy horror comic with tough girls and a fun talking bird, here you go.
January 22, 2013
A petite, albino girl with haunting red eyes and cornsilk hair, Dancy Flammarion seems fragile and ethereal. She's certainly the last person one would expect to be a demon slaying bad ass, but where Dancy goes hell is sure to follow.
I had never heard of Dancy Flammarion before I picked up this title by Dark Horse comics. Dancy is a modern day Joan of Arc, chosen by a fearsome seraph as a divine tool for annihilating whatever lurks in the shadows. And this angel didn't fall out of some Nativity scene--with four grimacing faces, batlike wings, and a flaming sword, this angel will not be rendered into a Hallmark figurine anytime soon. Dancy goes where and does what the angel tells her, but not without a little pushback as Dancy is certainly no shrinking violet. It's her tendency to rebel that causes her angel to abandon Dancy just when she needs it the most. Now Dancy's only allies are a talking blackbird, the ghost of a werewolf, and her trusty kitchen knife.
This is a clever storyline as one is never really certain if Dancy is a religious zealot, seeing and believing in what is necessary to unapologetically hack and slash her way through the American South, or is she honestly chosen as heaven's lone soldier? Dancy herself is cognizant of this conundrum, wondering if she's crazy or perhaps the sanest person on earth. The answers in the end aren't simple and, while I can't say much for fear of giving anything away, create a challenging and complex character that is more intriguing by the final issue than she was in the first.
My one complaint is that Dark Horse has chosen to continue Dancy's story, but only as part of the Dark Horse Presents anthology, a title I'm not particularly interested in following. Until Dancy returns in her own title, I think I'll check out Kiernan's Dancy novels for more of my favorite kitchen knife-wielding demon slayer.
Cross posted at
I had never heard of Dancy Flammarion before I picked up this title by Dark Horse comics. Dancy is a modern day Joan of Arc, chosen by a fearsome seraph as a divine tool for annihilating whatever lurks in the shadows. And this angel didn't fall out of some Nativity scene--with four grimacing faces, batlike wings, and a flaming sword, this angel will not be rendered into a Hallmark figurine anytime soon. Dancy goes where and does what the angel tells her, but not without a little pushback as Dancy is certainly no shrinking violet. It's her tendency to rebel that causes her angel to abandon Dancy just when she needs it the most. Now Dancy's only allies are a talking blackbird, the ghost of a werewolf, and her trusty kitchen knife.
This is a clever storyline as one is never really certain if Dancy is a religious zealot, seeing and believing in what is necessary to unapologetically hack and slash her way through the American South, or is she honestly chosen as heaven's lone soldier? Dancy herself is cognizant of this conundrum, wondering if she's crazy or perhaps the sanest person on earth. The answers in the end aren't simple and, while I can't say much for fear of giving anything away, create a challenging and complex character that is more intriguing by the final issue than she was in the first.
My one complaint is that Dark Horse has chosen to continue Dancy's story, but only as part of the Dark Horse Presents anthology, a title I'm not particularly interested in following. Until Dancy returns in her own title, I think I'll check out Kiernan's Dancy novels for more of my favorite kitchen knife-wielding demon slayer.
Cross posted at
February 1, 2021
There's more to Dancy Flammarion than meets the eye. She used to be the seraph, the hand of God. And now? Now she's an albino lunatic slaying monsters and accompanied by a disagreeable and foul-mouthed blackbird.
It's gory and violent and the art looks terrific. The writing didn't awe me but I'll pick up the next vol.
It's gory and violent and the art looks terrific. The writing didn't awe me but I'll pick up the next vol.
March 7, 2020
A young woman who is getting messages from an angel (it's not clear whether it is real or not), strikes out on a mission to wipe out supernatural creatures. In this volume the focus is on werewolves. It's a bit trippy since flashbacks and visions are used quite a lot, so the story has a kind of hallucinatory feel to it. The highlight of the story for me was a talking blackbird. That bird's running commentary about what is going on in the story is hilarious.
April 25, 2017
I apparently jumped into this series in the middle, about an albino girl who is wandering a post-apocalyptic world (perhaps?), following the orders of her quite fearsome angel buddy who directs her towards monsters to kill. Atmospheric and smart, I should have been more lost but the story was easy enough to pick up. I think.
Read it on my computer thanks to Hoopla and the local library.
Read it on my computer thanks to Hoopla and the local library.
August 27, 2017
Wie schade! Ich habe dieses Buch so lange schon kaufen wollen und immer wieder verzichtet. Nun habe ich es endlich doch, und es gefällt mir nicht.
Caitlin Kiernans Bücher sind so: Sie haben eine Faszination, und dann gefallen sie mir entweder oder ich kann nichts mit ihnen anfangen. So auch hier: Die Stimmung, die die ersten Seiten vermitteln, hat mich zum Kauf animiert. Aber dann sind es nur noch einzelne Sequenzen und Panels, die mir gefallen, die Story an sich spricht mich nicht an.
Ein 15-jähriges Mädchen, dass im Namen Gottes Werwölfe und andere dunkle Kreaturen absticht, zeitweise von einem Schutzengel unterstützt, trifft trotz der stimmungsvollen Artwork (zumindest momentan) nicht meinen Geschmack.
Caitlin Kiernans Bücher sind so: Sie haben eine Faszination, und dann gefallen sie mir entweder oder ich kann nichts mit ihnen anfangen. So auch hier: Die Stimmung, die die ersten Seiten vermitteln, hat mich zum Kauf animiert. Aber dann sind es nur noch einzelne Sequenzen und Panels, die mir gefallen, die Story an sich spricht mich nicht an.
Ein 15-jähriges Mädchen, dass im Namen Gottes Werwölfe und andere dunkle Kreaturen absticht, zeitweise von einem Schutzengel unterstützt, trifft trotz der stimmungsvollen Artwork (zumindest momentan) nicht meinen Geschmack.
October 25, 2016
Beautifully drawn, with engaging characters, but a lot didn't make sense. Found out later that this character already exists in short stories and this is only another part of her tale, I do wish though that more effort had been made to make this a truly standalone story.
October 13, 2013
Dancy Flammarion is quite an unusual character. A young teenager who has been on her own for a while, guided by a seraph who leads her to monsters she needs to kill. I first became acquainted with Dancy in , and I was drawn to her character. I wanted to protect her, even though she is much more fierce than I could ever see myself. In Alabaster, I wasn't quite sure of how much was real and how much wasn't, as the writing was quite surreal. In this graphic novel, I think you pretty much know that Dancy isn't living out a psychosis of what's happening to her. Sometimes graphic novels don't tell stories well, but that is not the case with this one. This story leads itself very well to the visual medium, so I am glad that they decided to make it into a graphic novel.
The artwork is beautiful. Although some imagery is dark and disturbing, I still see a lot of beauty in the manner in which Dancy's fine features are drawn and painted (as well as another young woman she encounters), and even the choices of color and design in the darker scenes. The motion of the wolves is conveyed very well, even down to their musculature and sinews. Dancy is an albino, and the artist captured this excellently, from her white hair, white skin, and to her red/pink eyes. The artwork also brings the Gothic Southern atmosphere to vivid life. It is spot on with that otherworldly feel of the South, where a bloody history and rich folkloric heritage (slavery and Civil War) has tinged the land in so many ways. Even in the daytime scenes, the hot sun seems barely able to protect against the dark monsters lurking in the shadows.
The stories are nicely sinister, with just enough menace to make for a scary/slightly disturbing read without going over the line into the grotesque and unpalatable. The lettering captures the feel of Kiernan's prose very well, and I could clearly hear the syrupy thick Southern accents as I read. I was holding my breath as I read, not sure if Dancy was going to make it out of the very sticky situations she faces. She's very good at what she does, but she's not invincible, so she faces very real threats along the way. I appreciate how things ended. I'm not ready to say goodbye to this special young lady.
I think this is a good read for those who are inclined more to classic horror, because it has such great atmosphere, and the storylines are tailored towards the older themes of horror. As I mentioned above, the Southern Gothic feel, but also a bit of the Lovecraftian sort of mythical feel. It makes me think of those occult detectives who are alone in their fight against the monsters of darkness, such as Manly Wade Wellman's Silver John and Kolchak. This is awesome because Dancy is a young woman, and she doesn't need a man to rescue her.
I have to give this one 4.5 stars because it was very nearly perfect. I hope for more Dancy adventures in the future.
The artwork is beautiful. Although some imagery is dark and disturbing, I still see a lot of beauty in the manner in which Dancy's fine features are drawn and painted (as well as another young woman she encounters), and even the choices of color and design in the darker scenes. The motion of the wolves is conveyed very well, even down to their musculature and sinews. Dancy is an albino, and the artist captured this excellently, from her white hair, white skin, and to her red/pink eyes. The artwork also brings the Gothic Southern atmosphere to vivid life. It is spot on with that otherworldly feel of the South, where a bloody history and rich folkloric heritage (slavery and Civil War) has tinged the land in so many ways. Even in the daytime scenes, the hot sun seems barely able to protect against the dark monsters lurking in the shadows.
The stories are nicely sinister, with just enough menace to make for a scary/slightly disturbing read without going over the line into the grotesque and unpalatable. The lettering captures the feel of Kiernan's prose very well, and I could clearly hear the syrupy thick Southern accents as I read. I was holding my breath as I read, not sure if Dancy was going to make it out of the very sticky situations she faces. She's very good at what she does, but she's not invincible, so she faces very real threats along the way. I appreciate how things ended. I'm not ready to say goodbye to this special young lady.
I think this is a good read for those who are inclined more to classic horror, because it has such great atmosphere, and the storylines are tailored towards the older themes of horror. As I mentioned above, the Southern Gothic feel, but also a bit of the Lovecraftian sort of mythical feel. It makes me think of those occult detectives who are alone in their fight against the monsters of darkness, such as Manly Wade Wellman's Silver John and Kolchak. This is awesome because Dancy is a young woman, and she doesn't need a man to rescue her.
I have to give this one 4.5 stars because it was very nearly perfect. I hope for more Dancy adventures in the future.
December 8, 2012
This is my first encounter with Dancy Flammarion, and possibly the first comic book I’ve read since I last read through the entire The Sandman series. The artwork is well-executed and evokes the disintegrated landscape.
A drifter, Dancy Flammarion holds onto her religious background as a moral compass while she goes about slaying such monsters as she encounters. Much like Joan of Arc, this teenage girl is guided by a vengeful, fiery seraph which may or may not exist as a figment of her imagination.
In Alabaster: Wolves, written by Caitlin R Kiernan and illustrated by Steve Leiber, we join Dancy as she waits for the bus in an abandoned Southern town. Almost immediately she is beset upon by a young girl who’s a lot more than what she appears—and Dancy is pressed into a game of riddles that has dire consequences.
Abandoned by her angelic guide, Dancy must face a great evil, ultimately coming to terms with deeper issues, such as whether she acts on her own will or remains a pawn of others. I’m reminded of the quote of Friedrich Nietzsche:
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.
Who is the real monster? Dancy, or the creatures she kills? Either way, readers will be drawn into a world that hints at yet never full explains darker, blood-drenched mysteries. Not for the fainthearted, Alabastar: Wolves has tantalised me just enough to want to delve further into Kiernan’s creations. If you loved The Sandman, then go pick up this offering. It leaves you feeling somewhat scratchy behind the eyes, and piqued because you feel like you’ve only had a glimpse at a small fragment of the bigger story.
A drifter, Dancy Flammarion holds onto her religious background as a moral compass while she goes about slaying such monsters as she encounters. Much like Joan of Arc, this teenage girl is guided by a vengeful, fiery seraph which may or may not exist as a figment of her imagination.
In Alabaster: Wolves, written by Caitlin R Kiernan and illustrated by Steve Leiber, we join Dancy as she waits for the bus in an abandoned Southern town. Almost immediately she is beset upon by a young girl who’s a lot more than what she appears—and Dancy is pressed into a game of riddles that has dire consequences.
Abandoned by her angelic guide, Dancy must face a great evil, ultimately coming to terms with deeper issues, such as whether she acts on her own will or remains a pawn of others. I’m reminded of the quote of Friedrich Nietzsche:
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.
Who is the real monster? Dancy, or the creatures she kills? Either way, readers will be drawn into a world that hints at yet never full explains darker, blood-drenched mysteries. Not for the fainthearted, Alabastar: Wolves has tantalised me just enough to want to delve further into Kiernan’s creations. If you loved The Sandman, then go pick up this offering. It leaves you feeling somewhat scratchy behind the eyes, and piqued because you feel like you’ve only had a glimpse at a small fragment of the bigger story.
August 30, 2015
Great comic book. I noticed that the writer also writes novels, so I may check them out.
March 13, 2025
I've been enjoying exploring the work of Irish / American horror / Sci Fi author, . I've finished the first two books of the Tinfoil Dossier trilogy and hope to complete this year. I've also begun reading her Alabaster graphic novels and just received and started (and completed) the first book which contains Chaps 1 - 5 of the series; .
Alabaster follows Dancy Flammarion, a Georgia girl, who is the agent of an angel who wanders the South killing demons. Alabaster: Wolves follows her in South Carolina as she hunts werewolves. The various stories tell her back story or an incident in Georgia and also that of Masie, a werewolf that Dancy killed but seems to have returned to save Dancy's life when she is attacked by a pack of werewolves. (She does have a reason). During these chapters, Dancy also revokes her 'partnership' with her angel and is now basically on her own. Oh yes, there is also a talking blackbird who follows Dancy, offering advice (Thus spake the Raven?)
it's an interesting, action-filled collection of stories, drawn expertly by Steve Lieber and colored by Rachelle Rosenberg. Each chapter is based on or more accurately, written to the lyrics of a song; Chap 1 'written entirely to the music of Brown Bird (Brownbird.net), illustrated mostly to 'All Eternals Deck' by the Mountain Goats' (And no, I've not checked out the songs yet to see how they relate.)
Dancy is a wonderful character, a scripture quoting fighter, who loses some of her strength when she goes against the wishes of her angel. The story is tense but also humorous and attention - grabbing. Maisie and the bird (Don't call me Birdie!) add to the texture and interest. I've read two collections of this series thus far and have the middle one on the way. I'm really looking forward to it. (3.5 stars)
Alabaster follows Dancy Flammarion, a Georgia girl, who is the agent of an angel who wanders the South killing demons. Alabaster: Wolves follows her in South Carolina as she hunts werewolves. The various stories tell her back story or an incident in Georgia and also that of Masie, a werewolf that Dancy killed but seems to have returned to save Dancy's life when she is attacked by a pack of werewolves. (She does have a reason). During these chapters, Dancy also revokes her 'partnership' with her angel and is now basically on her own. Oh yes, there is also a talking blackbird who follows Dancy, offering advice (Thus spake the Raven?)
it's an interesting, action-filled collection of stories, drawn expertly by Steve Lieber and colored by Rachelle Rosenberg. Each chapter is based on or more accurately, written to the lyrics of a song; Chap 1 'written entirely to the music of Brown Bird (Brownbird.net), illustrated mostly to 'All Eternals Deck' by the Mountain Goats' (And no, I've not checked out the songs yet to see how they relate.)
Dancy is a wonderful character, a scripture quoting fighter, who loses some of her strength when she goes against the wishes of her angel. The story is tense but also humorous and attention - grabbing. Maisie and the bird (Don't call me Birdie!) add to the texture and interest. I've read two collections of this series thus far and have the middle one on the way. I'm really looking forward to it. (3.5 stars)
May 5, 2015
2.5
First thing that's good to know is that this comic follows from earlier novels in the series - Threshold, where Dancy is introduced, and then Alabaster and Alabaster: Pale Horse, a short story collection. I had read the novels previously, so I'm familiar with the character and the setting - but, if you're not, this book sort of just dumps you into the story without giving much in the way of background.
This entry into the world is ok. The story suffers a bit, I think, from the lack of Kiernan's haunting prose, which really adds something to her stories. It's still there in snippets, but it's not the same at all. I thought this story might work better in comic form, but I found myself missing the lyricalness of the language I've come to expect from these stories.
Also, I wasn't a huge fan of the art, which is nowhere near as cool/detailed as the cover pictures.
Mostly, though, I just found this a so-so story, mostly because Dancy kept getting her ass kicked and having to be saved. She's always something of an underdog character, but, in this, she seemed almost secondary to
I did like the smart alecky bird, though...
That said, I did like the ending - the way that - so, I'm still onboard for continuing the series as I'm curious as to where it'll head next.
First thing that's good to know is that this comic follows from earlier novels in the series - Threshold, where Dancy is introduced, and then Alabaster and Alabaster: Pale Horse, a short story collection. I had read the novels previously, so I'm familiar with the character and the setting - but, if you're not, this book sort of just dumps you into the story without giving much in the way of background.
This entry into the world is ok. The story suffers a bit, I think, from the lack of Kiernan's haunting prose, which really adds something to her stories. It's still there in snippets, but it's not the same at all. I thought this story might work better in comic form, but I found myself missing the lyricalness of the language I've come to expect from these stories.
Also, I wasn't a huge fan of the art, which is nowhere near as cool/detailed as the cover pictures.
Mostly, though, I just found this a so-so story, mostly because Dancy kept getting her ass kicked and having to be saved. She's always something of an underdog character, but, in this, she seemed almost secondary to
I did like the smart alecky bird, though...
That said, I did like the ending - the way that - so, I'm still onboard for continuing the series as I'm curious as to where it'll head next.
December 30, 2015
A strange and almost gothic story. it has bits and pieces from many stories. Supernatural, The Witcher, The Bible, True Blood, Neil Gaiman's Sandman. its a little of this and that, a literary gumbo.
The heroine is a strange bird. she holds very hard to her view of right and wrong, but her view is very black and white. very...well biblical.
Reading this felt like it was the middle of a series, but I'm interested.
I'm not one for preachy bible stuff and this is really full of it. (that's why I knocked a star off) knowledge of scripture and biblical symbolism is probably a must. I'm an outsider to most of that so this was rather strange to me. The heroine not only clings to bible stuff, she's apparently like a sword of God meant to kill monsters in his name. she doesnt seem to relish her work at all.
but if you like any of the other titles I mentioned, this is probably something you would enjoy!
The heroine is a strange bird. she holds very hard to her view of right and wrong, but her view is very black and white. very...well biblical.
Reading this felt like it was the middle of a series, but I'm interested.
I'm not one for preachy bible stuff and this is really full of it. (that's why I knocked a star off) knowledge of scripture and biblical symbolism is probably a must. I'm an outsider to most of that so this was rather strange to me. The heroine not only clings to bible stuff, she's apparently like a sword of God meant to kill monsters in his name. she doesnt seem to relish her work at all.
but if you like any of the other titles I mentioned, this is probably something you would enjoy!
January 5, 2014
Beautiful.
December 24, 2019
Awesome girls
May 30, 2018
An albino girl tasked with dealing out holy justice encounters a town full of ancient evil. The origin story is hinted at as we’re dropped in media res. I found Dancy Flammarion’s abilities to be wildly inconsistent, which is a complaint I’ve had about Kiernan’s characters before. Sometimes Dancy’s a Buffy-level badass, sometimes she’s a normal girl.
This is in the same general story space as and although not as dense or intense. At one point I was reminded VERY strongly of Johnny Cash’s song “The Man Comes Around� () and there was a note at the end of that chapter that it was written with Cash playing in the background. It’s almost a transcription of the song.
This is neither bad nor great. It is what it is.
This is in the same general story space as and although not as dense or intense. At one point I was reminded VERY strongly of Johnny Cash’s song “The Man Comes Around� () and there was a note at the end of that chapter that it was written with Cash playing in the background. It’s almost a transcription of the song.
This is neither bad nor great. It is what it is.
Read
April 29, 2024Sunday afternoons are officially carved out in my schedule for reading random graphic novels from the library.
The “Alabaster� series is so conceptually interesting, and I hope earlier installments explore Dancy’s relationship to her angel a bit more. Even without the backstory, I had a fun with this collection of gruesome adventures, music references, and chatty blackbirds. And so many dead werewolves.
The “Alabaster� series is so conceptually interesting, and I hope earlier installments explore Dancy’s relationship to her angel a bit more. Even without the backstory, I had a fun with this collection of gruesome adventures, music references, and chatty blackbirds. And so many dead werewolves.
August 21, 2023
Very stylish, taking a somewhat unchristian helping of christian theming to do battle with monsters, witches and assorted evil; we're thrown into a world where all the weirdness doesn't prompt any explaining, giving us a trio of interesting characters and some intense imagery.
December 26, 2012
Dark and haunting, yet still incredibly delicate and beautiful
This is a collection of the miniseries. I have never before read any of them so it was a first encounter with Dancy for me. At first I thought the story line was rather the usual straight forward dystopian. But then layers were added, pasts were revealed, questions were raised� and it became more and more intriguing.
The question I was left with who was the really monster? The one that was never given a choice and made into one- or the one that brings death in its wake no matter how good the intentions?
The ending was not an ending at all- I am hoping that Kiernan will do another sequel.
The last few pages with the goblin kinda confused me actually. Might be because its an ebook- still I wasn't sure what suddenly happened or where it fits it with the rest of the story.
The thing that definitely does make this a fantastic graphic novel is the art work.
The art work is beautiful!The ink and pencil work really good. The colors are incredibly well chose for the mood of the story.
In fact there are many amazing details in the art work that underline the story line.
The novel is beautifully dark and haunting. At first glance a dystopian paranormal that is beautifully illustrated but with hidden depth that slowly unfold and leave one thinking. While it has powerful fight scenes and horror in it, it also has a gentle and surprisingly subtle side to it.
Definitely a must for lovers of this genre!
art work 4.5stars
storyline 3.5stars
ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in return for a honest review. Thank you!
This is a collection of the miniseries. I have never before read any of them so it was a first encounter with Dancy for me. At first I thought the story line was rather the usual straight forward dystopian. But then layers were added, pasts were revealed, questions were raised� and it became more and more intriguing.
The question I was left with who was the really monster? The one that was never given a choice and made into one- or the one that brings death in its wake no matter how good the intentions?
The ending was not an ending at all- I am hoping that Kiernan will do another sequel.
The last few pages with the goblin kinda confused me actually. Might be because its an ebook- still I wasn't sure what suddenly happened or where it fits it with the rest of the story.
The thing that definitely does make this a fantastic graphic novel is the art work.
The art work is beautiful!The ink and pencil work really good. The colors are incredibly well chose for the mood of the story.
In fact there are many amazing details in the art work that underline the story line.
The novel is beautifully dark and haunting. At first glance a dystopian paranormal that is beautifully illustrated but with hidden depth that slowly unfold and leave one thinking. While it has powerful fight scenes and horror in it, it also has a gentle and surprisingly subtle side to it.
Definitely a must for lovers of this genre!
art work 4.5stars
storyline 3.5stars
ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in return for a honest review. Thank you!
February 26, 2013
Reason for Reading: Dark Horse is one of my favourite publishers and looking through the new releases this one caught my eye.
The publisher's summary of this is quite simple making it out to be a general "monster hunter" story but it far exceeds that and I came away from it really having enjoyed it. My only regret is that I was called away from it half way through and had to get into it again when I returned. Its short length does make for a fantastic one sitting read. The story is vague on explanations and leaves us intrigued throughout. We are in some future earth that has suffered a cataclysmic event. Dancy doesn't run into many other humans on her journey and while she meets various monsters the mainstay in her world are the werewolves which she has some "calling" to destroy. Dancy is a little unusual herself, being an Albino, and at first accompanied by a Seraph, her mission is filled with Biblical imagery and quotations yet one wonders where she should be putting her trust when later she is joined by the ghost of a female werewolf she has slain. She is also accompanied by a wise yet annoying talking blackbird. A very unique, enjoyable story. Quite violent, use of language is graphic but not overly superfluous. The art matches the story well and very appreciative in itself. There are many panels with few or no text bubbles that the eye lingers over taking in the details. The dark, spooky scenes are especially well done. The book ends with the impression that the story will continue on.
The publisher's summary of this is quite simple making it out to be a general "monster hunter" story but it far exceeds that and I came away from it really having enjoyed it. My only regret is that I was called away from it half way through and had to get into it again when I returned. Its short length does make for a fantastic one sitting read. The story is vague on explanations and leaves us intrigued throughout. We are in some future earth that has suffered a cataclysmic event. Dancy doesn't run into many other humans on her journey and while she meets various monsters the mainstay in her world are the werewolves which she has some "calling" to destroy. Dancy is a little unusual herself, being an Albino, and at first accompanied by a Seraph, her mission is filled with Biblical imagery and quotations yet one wonders where she should be putting her trust when later she is joined by the ghost of a female werewolf she has slain. She is also accompanied by a wise yet annoying talking blackbird. A very unique, enjoyable story. Quite violent, use of language is graphic but not overly superfluous. The art matches the story well and very appreciative in itself. There are many panels with few or no text bubbles that the eye lingers over taking in the details. The dark, spooky scenes are especially well done. The book ends with the impression that the story will continue on.
March 25, 2013
Dang it, now I have to track down all of Caitlin Kiernan's books. I understand this is a spin-off from one of her novel series, but it stands well enough on its own. From reading this and her first novel, , it seems that Kiernan has a talent for creating characters who might be delusional, actually in touch with the supernatural, or both, and never letting the reader completely in on what's real and what isn't. What that does in this instance is to add a very interesting wrinkle to an old-fashioned monster-hunter saga.
Dancy Flammarion wanders the South slaying creatures of the night with a kitchen knife at the behest of a scary guiding angel who may or may not exist. She's guided to a small town in South Carolina completely overrun by a legion of monsters that would give Hellboy pause, and is then left to deal with it entirely on her own (except for the questionable help of a talkative raven). What I want to know is why isn't this comic an ongoing monthly? Because now I definitely want there to be a volume 2.
Dancy Flammarion wanders the South slaying creatures of the night with a kitchen knife at the behest of a scary guiding angel who may or may not exist. She's guided to a small town in South Carolina completely overrun by a legion of monsters that would give Hellboy pause, and is then left to deal with it entirely on her own (except for the questionable help of a talkative raven). What I want to know is why isn't this comic an ongoing monthly? Because now I definitely want there to be a volume 2.
December 28, 2014
Well I have not much to say about this comic book. It is nice to see a heroine that actually can kick some ass but I think sometimes she is a bit too good to be believable since she has no superpowers as it seems and some events are a tad too convenient for my taste. Also while the drawing style is fittingly creepy for the story some stuff is just thrown into the story without any explanation which might make reading this a tad weird.
I guess this is mostly due to the fact that this book plays after the Dancy Flammarion books "Threshold" and "Alabaster" where probably some stuff from here is introduced and explained.
But all of this doesn't make this a bad story or anything, it is ok. It simply couldn't get me invested and I think its no book fitting as an introduction to the character of Dancy and her world.
I guess this is mostly due to the fact that this book plays after the Dancy Flammarion books "Threshold" and "Alabaster" where probably some stuff from here is introduced and explained.
But all of this doesn't make this a bad story or anything, it is ok. It simply couldn't get me invested and I think its no book fitting as an introduction to the character of Dancy and her world.
June 3, 2014
I grabbed this on my last library trip based on the author Caitlin Kiernan, who I know is a big Lovecraft fan and is often chosen for horror short story collections. The cover art is stunning and the inside art is quite good as well. I would say the story takes precedence here over the art--cover art is always more painterly and as such, more beautiful to me personally and the cover for this is particularly striking. The story is excellent--touches of Lovecraft, traditional horror and with a touch of fairy tale. I found the story really compelling and read it in one sitting. I hope to find more of this series in future visits to the book tombs.
December 17, 2012
The artwork was super, with the right colors to show us this is a horror comic. Dancy is an albino—is this to make her a “white hat� as heroes wore in old Westerns? And later on, when she has mud or dirt on her face, the “dirtying� of her soul and faith? I think the colors used in the comic point the way for the reader; multi-layering the storyline and the characters.
I reviewed this for I Smell Sheep Reviews, so read the whole review at
I reviewed this for I Smell Sheep Reviews, so read the whole review at
December 24, 2020
(Zero spoiler review)
My thoughts on this book changed multiples times throughout the course of its reading. The first issue had me hooked, with its slow building tension and detailed and intellectualised dialogue. Think Bilbo and Gollum over your more bargain basement B movie shlock. I must say, I was impressed. Having picked up all three of these books no a whim, having little to no idea beyond an hasty consumption of one of the back covers. I was really rather pleased with myself for having trusted my intuitions. The idea of a small girl wandering through a monster infested, post apocalyptic wasteland is certainly right up my alley. Though sadly, the quality of that first issue rose and fell sporadically throughout the remaining four issues. With part of Dancy's appeal, in that she is not some OP Mary Sue, but rather a very real, fallible and at times frail protagonist, verging very quickly into superhero territory before quickly switching back again. The characters were interesting, particularly Dancy, although I would be hoping further issues would flesh her out further as there appears to be a great deal of backstory that needs telling to further build her and the world up into something a little bit special. I'm certainly intrigued enough to continue (especially as I own all three books already) although had I only purchased one, I would see enough promise in the series to warrant further purchases.
The art is, for the most part, fairly good. It does appear that the artist had to prioritise certain panels over others. Larger, more detailed scenes leap from the page with a gritty, downcast realism. But numerous panels, usually close ups on characters appear rushed and not at all to the standard the artist appears capable. I would have liked to see similar time and effort put into the lesser panels in the story, but like I said, its good enough to get the job done. The colouring work is much the same.
In the end, Wolves is a decent enough initial effort, leaving me hesitantly optimistic for more of what I found most enjoyable in the story to be amplified in the two subsequent volumes. Yet cautiously pessimistic that this may be as good as it gets. I guess we'll see. 3.5/5
OmniBen.
My thoughts on this book changed multiples times throughout the course of its reading. The first issue had me hooked, with its slow building tension and detailed and intellectualised dialogue. Think Bilbo and Gollum over your more bargain basement B movie shlock. I must say, I was impressed. Having picked up all three of these books no a whim, having little to no idea beyond an hasty consumption of one of the back covers. I was really rather pleased with myself for having trusted my intuitions. The idea of a small girl wandering through a monster infested, post apocalyptic wasteland is certainly right up my alley. Though sadly, the quality of that first issue rose and fell sporadically throughout the remaining four issues. With part of Dancy's appeal, in that she is not some OP Mary Sue, but rather a very real, fallible and at times frail protagonist, verging very quickly into superhero territory before quickly switching back again. The characters were interesting, particularly Dancy, although I would be hoping further issues would flesh her out further as there appears to be a great deal of backstory that needs telling to further build her and the world up into something a little bit special. I'm certainly intrigued enough to continue (especially as I own all three books already) although had I only purchased one, I would see enough promise in the series to warrant further purchases.
The art is, for the most part, fairly good. It does appear that the artist had to prioritise certain panels over others. Larger, more detailed scenes leap from the page with a gritty, downcast realism. But numerous panels, usually close ups on characters appear rushed and not at all to the standard the artist appears capable. I would have liked to see similar time and effort put into the lesser panels in the story, but like I said, its good enough to get the job done. The colouring work is much the same.
In the end, Wolves is a decent enough initial effort, leaving me hesitantly optimistic for more of what I found most enjoyable in the story to be amplified in the two subsequent volumes. Yet cautiously pessimistic that this may be as good as it gets. I guess we'll see. 3.5/5
OmniBen.
November 25, 2022
This graphic novel is an adaptation of material Kiernan has already written in prose form, only converted into graphic novel form. I recognized the third story in this collection of five because it was the one story I'd previously read most of in the form of a standalone short story written for publication elsewhere.
This graphic novel has a few differences from the prose form renditions. For example, a werewolf, and then a werewolf's ghost, and a blackbird that don't exist elsewhere (as far as I know) accompany the protagonist through the graphic novel as allies in order to link the stories and give them a much needed coherence.
I liked this overview of Kiernan's work using her Dancy Flammarion character. Clearly there are many more stories Kiernan told with her character but doesn't use here. For example, the setting in the graphic novel all takes place in a small South Carolina town that looks a lot to me like Saluda, although it's not named here. Most of Dancy's adventures take place in rural Georgia apparently.
I also really liked the artwork. It contained so many renditions of werewolves. I really enjoyed the artist's rendition of the transformation of a nice looking girl who looked a lot like Krysten Ritter (of the Jessica Jones TV series into a werewolf.
Nevertheless, despite Kiernan's efforts, the story never really comes into place in this graphic novel as a truly integrated whole. It still feels like a patchwork quilt. I don't know if I'll go to the trouble of seeking them out, but I'd read another Dancy Flammarion story in prose form if I came by one.
This graphic novel has a few differences from the prose form renditions. For example, a werewolf, and then a werewolf's ghost, and a blackbird that don't exist elsewhere (as far as I know) accompany the protagonist through the graphic novel as allies in order to link the stories and give them a much needed coherence.
I liked this overview of Kiernan's work using her Dancy Flammarion character. Clearly there are many more stories Kiernan told with her character but doesn't use here. For example, the setting in the graphic novel all takes place in a small South Carolina town that looks a lot to me like Saluda, although it's not named here. Most of Dancy's adventures take place in rural Georgia apparently.
I also really liked the artwork. It contained so many renditions of werewolves. I really enjoyed the artist's rendition of the transformation of a nice looking girl who looked a lot like Krysten Ritter (of the Jessica Jones TV series into a werewolf.
Nevertheless, despite Kiernan's efforts, the story never really comes into place in this graphic novel as a truly integrated whole. It still feels like a patchwork quilt. I don't know if I'll go to the trouble of seeking them out, but I'd read another Dancy Flammarion story in prose form if I came by one.
May 23, 2018
I was not a fan of this graphic novel. While the images were stunning, the actual story was a bit confusing, far too religious, and the crude language often seemed thrown in and unnatural. While some of the Southern language seemed genuine, overall, the language was clunky.
I enjoyed the fact that Maisie seemed conflicted as to whether or not she should help Dancy, but that just made it all the more confusing. Although this was Issues 1-5 of the Wolves series, I think it would have been hugely helpful to have read some of the other Alabaster comics in order to get Dancy’s backstory.
According to the DAWCL website, the book won the BSGN award in 2013. The BSGN award goes to a book that is written, edited, or illustrated by an Arab American, or addresses the Arab American experience. I read this book as an ebook, which was an interesting experience as I could zoom in on specific frames throughout the book if needed.
I enjoyed the fact that Maisie seemed conflicted as to whether or not she should help Dancy, but that just made it all the more confusing. Although this was Issues 1-5 of the Wolves series, I think it would have been hugely helpful to have read some of the other Alabaster comics in order to get Dancy’s backstory.
According to the DAWCL website, the book won the BSGN award in 2013. The BSGN award goes to a book that is written, edited, or illustrated by an Arab American, or addresses the Arab American experience. I read this book as an ebook, which was an interesting experience as I could zoom in on specific frames throughout the book if needed.
February 9, 2019
I had started this when it was first being serialized, because I had taken an interest in comics for basically the first time ever and didn’t know where to start. The concept seemed intriguing, it was a limited series with the first issue fresh on the shelves, and I liked it. I wanted to read the original Alabaster stories and was frustrated when I found out that the book was a limited publication. Eventually, I moved back to my culture-starved college town where the comic selection was far more limited, so I never got to read past issue #2. But I always wanted to revisit Dancy Flammarion, and I finally got access to a copy of Alabaster a few months ago. I liked it a lot. Now I’ve finished Alabaster: Wolves, and I liked it too. Soon I plan to read the next limited run, and I assume I will like it, too.
March 11, 2022
Debated between 2 and 3 stars, but they killed Birdie friend, so that 3rd star can kick rocks.
So why am I, an atheist who tires easily from repeated references to 'The One The Only Our Lord And Saviour Jesus Christ' reading a graphic novel that quotes scripture repeatedly? Well, dark and atmospheric art is dark and atmospheric. Also I was in a library and it was there. Also the absolutely hilarious bird. Mainly the bird. And yes, I really can be drawn into most things when presented with a talking animal.
It was fine. There was enough to hold my interest (despite the reciting of verses and that I really disliked our MC). I liked especially Maisie's character and the aforementioned bird. The art was cool too, but I suspect this will be forgotten pretty quickly. Not the bird death part though. That wound will fester.
So why am I, an atheist who tires easily from repeated references to 'The One The Only Our Lord And Saviour Jesus Christ' reading a graphic novel that quotes scripture repeatedly? Well, dark and atmospheric art is dark and atmospheric. Also I was in a library and it was there. Also the absolutely hilarious bird. Mainly the bird. And yes, I really can be drawn into most things when presented with a talking animal.
It was fine. There was enough to hold my interest (despite the reciting of verses and that I really disliked our MC). I liked especially Maisie's character and the aforementioned bird. The art was cool too, but I suspect this will be forgotten pretty quickly. Not the bird death part though. That wound will fester.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2020
I did not read the book this is based on. It feels like a lot of backstory and lore is missing here. As a result, I compare it to Buffy in a Supernatural script. While mildly enjoyable, in that TV comparison vein, this is at best a filler episode.
I liked that the author and artist give you their music used to create at the end of each episode.
Maybe this is only for fans of the book.
I would not recommend this to a civilian like me who has not read the prose from which this draws.
I liked that the author and artist give you their music used to create at the end of each episode.
Maybe this is only for fans of the book.
I would not recommend this to a civilian like me who has not read the prose from which this draws.
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