Afrika by Hermann Huppen

Summary:

Dark Horse proudly presents this gorgeously illustrated masterpiece by Belgian comics creator Hermann, available in English for the first time A misanthropic European expatriate, Dario Ferrer, acts as guardian of a Tanzanian wildlife preserve. Accompanied by Charlotte, a naive European journalist, Ferrer discovers a village under fire from mysterious agents of the foreign-backed government. Ferrer and Charlotte must fight not only to protect the preserve, but to expose government corruption - and survive to see another day. Born in 1938, Hermanns childhood was marked by WWII and the early need to earn a living on his own. He tried various professions and studied fine arts in Belgium, but he didn''t get into comic books until later in life when his first story was published in a magazine. In 1979 he started his first solo volume, Jeremiah, which he continues publishing today. He is known to be a hard-working, demanding writer constantly attempting new things. His works include Comanche and Towers of Bois-Maury among others.

Summary taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 64 pages

Source: NetGalley ARC

Publication Date: March 27th 2012 by Dark Horse Comics         

If you've been reading my blog for awhile you'll know that I love books about Africa fiction or non-fiction I read a lot of stuff about the continent (I want to live there one day). So when I saw that this graphic novel (I love graphic novels thanks to Mr.Turning The Pages!) was available for review on NetGalley I HAD to have it. Lucky for me they accepted my request.

Once I first opened the Galley on e-pub I was blown away by the art work. It's superbly illustrated by a true master of sequential art. For me this was my first time reading anything by this legendary writer and illustrator. The artwork is perfectly suited for the story line and you can tell that the whole piece was put together with a deft hand and it is in fact a masterpiece.

While it is only 64 pages long the graphic novel seems much longer than that due to the way the story of Dario is told through both the written word and the artwork. While reading it much of Dario's nature come out not only by what is being read but through the illustrations which Huppen coordinated beautifully.

This is definitely for a more mature audience just because of sex, swearing and mature situations, but really who am I kidding the kids are still going to read it. At least they can learn how to appreciate artwork from a master. I love the mastery in which the tale was woven and it gave me a real sense of adventure to read it, almost as if I were there with Dario hearing the gunfire or trapezing through the bush.

To "Add" the book to Goodreads CLICK HERE

To visit the author's website CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via The Book Depository CLICK HERE

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

 

★ ★ ★ ★