For WW I aficionados, recommendation for "It was the War of the Trenches" GN
To all those WW I aficionados out there (and I know there are probably some on this board, if only because of the YIJC), I wanted to recommend an incredible b&w graphic novel I just read called It was the War of the Trenches by Jacques Tardi. I was originally published in French, but an English version (by Fantagraphics Books) just came out in 2010.
This is a superb & very well researched GN that really shows what happened during the war from a foot soldier's perspective. However, a warning - it is quite harrowing & graphic, and not for the squeamish.
Also interesting is the filmography & bibliography at the end of the book which references other books/films that are worth checking out on WW I.
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
Posts: 6,950
Hi, Phantom. It's a good bet that LeSaboteur has read this title! Tardi was a name I knew but whose work I wasn't familiar with until the Adèle Blanc-Sec movie came out earlier this year. (See thread: Les Aventures Extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec).
It seems Jacques Tardi has done at least 3 graphic novels about WW1. When I looked for some Blanc-Sec books at a local comic store, the shop owner pointed me toward a used copy of Tardi's "Putain de Guerre" (which translates as "War Whore"!) from the mid '70s. He said it was a classic in the French-speaking comic world. The one you have, "C'était la guerre des tranchées" is from 1993. The filmography references sound interesting and if you're recommending this book, Phantom, I will seek it out.
Hi, Phantom. It's a good bet that LeSaboteur has read this title! Tardi was a name I knew but whose work I wasn't familiar with until the Adèle Blanc-Sec movie came out earlier this year. (See thread: Les Aventures Extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec).
It seems Jacques Tardi has done at least 3 graphic novels about WW1. When I looked for some Blanc-Sec books at a local comic store, the shop owner pointed me toward a used copy of Tardi's "Putain de Guerre" (which translates as "War Whore"!) from the mid '70s. He said it was a classic in the French-speaking comic world. The one you have, "C'était la guerre des tranchées" is from 1993. The filmography references sound interesting and if you're recommending this book, Phantom, I will seek it out.
Hey, Stoo. Yes, I think you'll like It was the War of the Trenches - it's the only book I've read by Tardi, but after reading it I am interested in seeking out his other books. Though Trenches has been out in French since '93, I believe it wasn't until this year that the book was translated into English.
The Adèle Blanc-Sec film sounds great - I'm a huge L. Besson fan from way back (since I first saw The Professional back in the '90's), so I will definitely check this out if given the chance. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it got a wide release in U.S. theatres, and based on the research I just did it's not on DVD yet either. However, hopefully it will be released to DVD at some point.
Hi, Phantom. It's a good bet that LeSaboteur has read this title! Tardi was a name I knew but whose work I wasn't familiar with until the Adèle Blanc-Sec movie came out earlier this year.
You know me so well Stoo! Yes, I've read this one in the original French, and just recently picked up the English version. While I normally prefer the style of Hugo Pratt and François Bourgeon, Tardi is exceptionally talented. I would readily endorse this recommendation!
If you have the inclination -- either of you -- I would seek out Adieu, Brindavoine and Le cri du peuple. Both are exceptional, and among my favorite works by him.
Stoo: Were you aware that Tardi had done a couple illustrated versions of
Jules Verne's short story San Carlos and A Priest in 1839? You might want to see if you can hunt them down.
Oh! And The Arctic Marauder will finally be published in English in April! It's a must purchase for any Tardi fan, and very Verne-esque.
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
Posts: 6,950
@phantom train: I still haven't managed to get my hands on "It Was the War of the Trenches" but will continue the hunt. Again, thanks for the 'heads up', my friend.
@Le Saboteur: No, I was not aware of those Tardi adaptations of Verne! More to hunt down! "The Arctic Marauder" looks good, too. Thanks for the info, Sab.
A couple of months ago, I bought a DVD of a 1934 German propaganda war film called, "Stosstrupp 1917" (a.k.a. "Shock Troop"). Battle footage is virtually non-stop and very authentic. Wehrmacht troops played the extras & real munitions were used for the artillery explosions! The version I have is in German with no subtitles but it is a MUST SEE and sits side-by-side with "All Quiet on the Western Front". Check it out if you can...
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
Posts: 6,950
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoo
@phantom train: I still haven't managed to get my hands on "It Was the War of the Trenches" but will continue the hunt. Again, thanks for the 'heads up', my friend.
Was talking about Jacques Tardi with a colleague of mine and it turned out that he had 2 French copies of "C'était la guerre des tranchées" from 1993. He gave me his extra copy as a Christmas gift. Nice to have and it's in perfect condition. I've been reading it and, boy, is it ever grim.
Quote:
Originally Posted by phantom train
Also interesting is the filmography & bibliography at the end of the book which references other books/films that are worth checking out on WW I.
Indeed. I've seen/own a number of titles in the filmography but there are many I've never even heard of. Good list that contains films from 1918-1992!
Was talking about Jacques Tardi with a colleague of mine and it turned out that he had 2 French copies of "C'était la guerre des tranchées" from 1993. He gave me his extra copy as a Christmas gift. Nice to have and it's in perfect condition. I've been reading it and, boy, is it ever grim.
Indeed. I've seen/own a number of titles in the filmography but there are many I've never even heard of. Good list that contains films from 1918-1992!
Glad to hear you got ahold of this, Stoo. It's definitely one of the best graphic novels I've seen; for us WW I fans it's especially a great read. I'll probably read it again at some point.
The version I have is in German with no subtitles but it is a MUST SEE and sits side-by-side with "All Quiet on the Western Front". Check it out if you can...
