Hard Case Crime/Titan Comics 2017
Written by Sylvain Runberg
Illustrated by Homs
Translated by Rachel Zerner
Lettered by Phillipe Glogowski
Based on the Novel Trilogy by Stieg Larsson
Hired to investigate an unresolved missing person's case, discredited journalist Mikael Blomkvist headed to Hedeby Island in order to further explore the various twists and turns of the Vanger family history. Aided by the brilliant but deeply troubled hacktavist Lisbeth Salander, Blomkvist soon discovered a link between the disappearance and a brutal trail of murder, deception and dark secrets leading right to the heart of the Vanger family. But can the two investigators track down the culprit before another victim surfaces?
I’m sorry but if this is the adaptation to the novel I need to now read it! I mean I know a lot people say great things about it and then the movie came out. So that this is based off the book to me is slam dunk home run. The way this is written, the depth of the characterisation and how the ebb and flow of it just seems to incredibly natural is almost beyond description. Yes both of these issues are oversized so it’s only taking two issues to tell the story but I couldn’t have been happier with that unless it had been an original graphic novel.
This isn’t a huge issue but it’s definitely big coming in at 62 pages. It does make me miss those old 100 page giants back in the day. But this one completes one story so there’s that added bonus. The fact that we meet the characters the way we do and get a pretty solid and clear understanding of them is wonderfully done. I mean from setup and on the verge of completely disgraced to trusted and celebrated Mikeal with Lisbeth’s help really does what he set out to do. Granted it’s not in the way he intended but that’s why the story is so gosh darn good.
The interiors here are utterly spectacular. The attention to detail here is great and the way the work just comes to life on the page makes this more interesting. The use of page layouts through their angles, perspective and the utilisation of backgrounds are stunning. This may not be the most realistic style out there but it has so much emotion and depth to it that you get lost in this version and there’s no mistaking the emotions and feelings it evokes in you.
I have to say that we see as much of Lisbeth’s personal life as do is nice as well. It really does flesh her out so much more. The background of her family and the fact that her twin sister totally blows her off and doesn’t claim her as family is the harshest thing i’ve seen in a long time, but I totally relate mine did the same thing. I do like that we see these things so we have a better understanding of how she sees people and why she doesn’t get close to them. Also how she views sexual partners it’s very well portrayed and if this is all taken from the book I have to go get it now.
Titan has quickly become the home for franchises to take their properties and branch out of movies and books. The talent they are able to get to bring this to life like this makes for an extraordinary adventure. I'm ready bring on the next one!