January 2023 MBR The Graphic Novel Shelf

The Graphic Novel Shelf

Vanko, 1848
Jean Van Hamme, author
Philippe Berthet, illustrator
Cinebook
https://www.cinebook.co.uk
c/o NBN Books (distribution)
www.nbnbooks.com
9781800440609, $13.95, PB, 56pp

https://www.amazon.com/Vanko-1848-Fortune-Winczlavs-Hamme/dp/180044060X

Synopsis: 1848. In Ottoman-occupied Montenegro, young doctor Vanko Winczlav is one of the leaders of a popular uprising. Betrayed, wanted by the authorities, he flees the Balkans for the United States in the company of a Bulgarian refugee, Veska, whom he marries to allow her to enter New York legally. So begins the history of a family closely entwined with that of a still new country going through many transformations.

Critique: An inherently interesting and entertaining 19th Century immigrant story told in a graphic novel format by the team of author/storyteller Jean Van hamme and artist/illustrator Philippe Berthet, "Vanko, 1848" from NBM Publishing is a highly recommended addition to both personal and community library Graphic Novel collections. It should be noted that "Vanko, 1848" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle/Comixology, $4.61).

Editorial Note #1: Jean Van Hamme (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Van_Hamme) is one of the most acclaimed writers of European comics. Among his many successes, let's mention Thorgal with Rosinski, XIII with Vance and Largo Winch with Francq, but also Lady S., Wayne Shelton, Authorised Happiness, and several volumes of Blake & Mortimer - all published by Cinebook.

Editorial Note #2: Philippe Berthet (https://www.europecomics.com/author/philippe-berthet) is a French 'ligne claire' artist. After a remarkable entrance onto the comics scene in Spirou Magazine with Couleur Cafe in 1980, he created, among others, Le Prive d'Hollywood, Les Exploits de Poison Ivy as well as Pin-up with Yann.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review