#chaboute

[balu8]

Herman Melville's Moby Dick

adapted by Chaboute

Dark Horse

[ach-thebrother]

[*] Christophe Chaboute, fumettista francese (1967)

via pinterest

[typhiadesigns]

Loups dans l’hiver, Christophe Chabouté

[uhhhhmandart]

Christophe Chabouté, French, born 1967, 'Loups dans l'hiver'

Medium: india ink

[vagabondageautourdesoi]

@glenatbd La confrontation regardeurs regardés  est savoureuse, jusqu’à ne plus savoir qui est qui.  L’humour et la poésie sont omniprésents. De plus dans cette #BD, il y a très peu de textes mais le dessin en noir et blanc, est délicat. @christophechaboute #bd #book #books #bookstragram #bookstagram

#avis #lecture👇 https://vagabondageautourdesoi.com/2024/04/16/musee-christophe-chaboute/

[smashpages]

Out this week: Yellow Cab (IDW, $19.99)

French cartoonist Christophe Chabouté adapts French film director Benoît Cohen’s memoir Yellow Cab: A French Filmmaker’s American Dream into a graphic novel. It’s about the career change the director had in 2015, when he gave up the camera to become a New York taxi driver.  

See what other comics and graphic novels arrive in comic book stores this week.

[comic-bastards]

Review: Yellow Cab

By Dustin Cabeal

Yellow Cab is an interesting read to say the least. I spent the entire story waiting for the other shoe to drop and it never did. Instead, it’s just a look at the complicated nature of driving a cab in New York and how basically it’s a money pit trap for immigrants looking at getting their start in the country.

What’s even more disappointing is that it’s not even a true story, but instead the author of the novel has written themselves into the story to give a fake sense of realism. At least if the concept was based on fact, it would have perhaps been a story to bring up for this one interesting aspect.

But atlas, I went into my rant too soon. Yellow Cab follows Benoit Cohen, a French filmmaker living in gentrified Brooklyn trying to find his next story and we are obviously reading it. He decides to become a taxi driver to find a story and begins crafting a story that’s duller than the one we’re reading. It shows all the struggles and annoyances of becoming a taxi driver. It’s a big business after all so adding extra steps produces more money for the city and businesses attached to the industry. Benoit goes through it all and about halfway through the story he’s finally driving a taxi. And there’s not much else. Eventually, he stops driving a taxi and the story ends.

On one hand, this is a love note to the complicated nature of New York city. Logistically, New York shouldn’t be able to function and yet it does… constantly and that’s something that a lot of people find fascinating. This is a love note to the city and to taxis which are synonymous with New York. That part is enjoyable. Having only visited New York I too find aspects of it fascinating, but there were so many wasted pages of just artwork of buildings. Buildings that aren’t recognizable or really striking in thick black and white linework. The latter half of the book is just average looking people sitting in the back of a cab and it goes on and on until Benoit is done driving a cab.

The artwork is enjoyable and realistic. It’s all black and white as I said, but it’s meant to be that way. It’s not something that could be easily colored without losing a lot of the detail and contrast in the artwork. At the same time, I never cared for the artwork on the faces. Everything else was fine, but the faces were all pretty damn ugly. As a whole, people are average and borderline ugly, but this comic didn’t have one passable beautiful person. In a city of millions, they are apparently all ugmos. I’m sure a sense of realism was trying to be achieved here, but for my tastes I never liked the faces or the facial expressions. Everyone had the same shocked look and its used over and over throughout the course of the 162-page story. There was almost a sense of timing to when it would hit, but I couldn’t bring myself to count how many times I saw it used.

It’s not a bad story. It’s well-paced and an easy read. It’s the fact that it’s too easy to read. There’s no conflict, just minor inconveniences and because there’s nothing at risk for our character there’s no reason to worry about him. His biggest worry is that he’ll keep driving a cab. Like no shit, I think that’s what most taxi drivers worry about. The story does try to instill this panic and fear of Benoit driving a taxi at night, but then it only seems to happen in his nightmares. Really it seems like Benoit had a fun little break from movies and slummed it as a taxi driver.

It's really difficult to recommend this book. As I said, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop the entire time. I was stuck waiting for something, anything to happen, but it didn’t. You could call it a slice of life story, but it lacks anything deep to make it interesting. Benoit as a character isn’t exactly loveable or interesting and while the artwork is detailed and lovely at times, overall, it’s not memorable nor does it add a deeper layer to the story. Who is this story for? I have no idea, maybe it’s for you though. Maybe something here will ping with you and strike an interest. Maybe this will be someone’s first slice of life comic and they’ll see a world outside of superheroes that can be told with comics and that’s fine. I hope that happens, but for me personally I would be hard pressed to recommend it.

Chabouté Benoit Cohen Edward Gauvin Nathan Widick Alonzo Simon Zac Boone IDW Publishing

Score: 2/5

[edsoncamarafalecomigo]

Acabei de receber da Amazon o lançamento da Pipoca&Nanquim, a mais nova obra de Chabouté. Muita diversão a frente. #chaboute #chabouté #pipocaenanquim #yellowcab #newyorkcab #edsoncamaraart (em Universo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRGsvUdrfeY/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ottakarsatticbooks]

The Park Bench by Chaboute

I first found Chaboute’s wonderful graphic novel when in a local bookshop with my boyfriend and we ended up ironically spending the evening sitting on a bench in the shopping centre completely enwrapped in this brilliant story which is about experiences just like that.

The concept of the story is simply the existence of a bench and all the lives it encounters on a daily basis which I know may sound a bit strange and not exactly enthralling in terms of plot but this quiet, poignant and thought provoking book took me by surprise with how much I loved it.

It brings together ideas of community; how we use public space and why it’s so important; the perceptions we instantly make of others before really getting to know their stories first; both the tough times and wonderful times of life and it left me with a quiet contentedness and hopefulness (and also wanting to buy a bench!)

It changed my perspective of things that we all walk pass everyday without thought (such as a bench in a park or street) and the idea that something as simple as this can bring people together, make a hard day a little easier, be a place of refuge and be a center of gathering or meeting for moments of happiness to share with others.

Although there is no dialogue in this graphic novel, the atmosphere and art work completely draw you into the story and in a funny sort of way I think this particular story is made more effective and interesting because of it as it’s leaving the whole interpretation of the story up to the reader and in effect I think it gives you a much stronger connection with the characters, the questions it brings up and the feelings it stirs.

All in all I loved this book and reading experience. It really is something I think everyone could get something out of and gets you thinking about all the little things during daily life that connects us all. It reminded me that if we could all just allow ourselves to step out of our own worlds for a few moments a day to look at the people around us and take time to know them, sharing the good and bad times then maybe all our loads that we carry around with us might be lightened a bit and we’d enjoy the day a little more. Through kindness, togetherness and acceptance we could all enjoy a community that is rather awesome and beautifully diverse and definitely something to celebrate!

[comixology]

5 Graphic Novels You Should Be Reading This Weekend!

Animosity Vol. 1

The world is plunged into chaos as the newly-intelligent Animals fight humanity, and simply fight each other, for their own life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. In the midst of the turmoil is Jesse, an 11-year-old girl, and her dog, Sandor, who is devoted to her and her protection. One year after the incident, Jesse and Sandor begin a cross-country journey to find Jesse’s half-brother, Adam, who is living in San Francisco.

Wonder Woman (2016-) Vol. 1: The Lies

Heroic. Iconic. Unstoppable. Armed with her Lasso of Truth and imbued with the power of the gods themselves, Princess Diana of Themyscira-known to the world as Wonder Woman-is one of the greatest superheroes in history. But who is she…really? Not even Wonder Woman herself knows for sure. Diana’s links to both the Amazons and the Gods of Olympus have been severed. Her memories are a tangle of contradictions that even her lie-detecting lasso cannot untangle. To solve the riddle of her origin, she must embark on her greatest quest of all: finding a way back to her vanished home. To get there, she must team up with her greatest enemy, the feral beast-woman, Cheetah. Will this unlikely alliance shine the light of truth on Diana’s darkest secrets, or bury them-and her-forever?

Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy Vol. 1

BOOM! Studios and DC Comics team up to bring together Lumberjanes and Gotham Academy for the ultimate friendship-fueled crossover event. Written by Chynna Clugston Flores (Blue Monday), and illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell (Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me) Jenna Ayoub, Maddi Gonzalez, and Kelly & Nichole Matthews (Toil and Trouble), this is a run-for-your-life-from-skeletal-monsters mystery that leads to lifelong friendship! When a teacher at Gotham Academy goes missing, it’s up to Olive, Maps, Colton, Pom, and Kyle to figure out what is happening and how to get her back. With only an outdated birthday invitation as the clue, they find themselves in the middle of the woods with no idea of where to start. With the sudden appearance of the Lumberjanes—April, Jo, Mal, Molly, Ripley and Jen—who are on the hunt for their missing Camp Director, all clues point to an abandoned cabin with more secrets than cobwebs.

Glitterbomb Vol. 1: Red Carpet

Farrah Durante is a middle-aged actress hunting for her next gig in an industry where youth trumps experience. Her frustrations become an emotional lure for something horrifying out beyond the water...something ready to exact revenge on the shallow, celebrity-obsessed culture that's led her astray. Fan-favorite JIM ZUB (WAYWARD, Thunderbolts) and newcomer DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN (The Ultimates, All-New Wolverine) tear into the heart of Hollywood in GLITTERBOMB, a dramatic horror story about fame and failure. The entertainment industry feeds on our insecurities, desires, and fears. You can't toy with those kinds of primal emotions without them biting back...

Moby Dick

The great American novel, now a graphic novel! A masterful adaptation of the timeless literary classic, faithfully and beautifully rendered by an award-winning artist. In striking black-and-white illustrations, Chaboute retells the story of the great American novel in which Captain Ahab strikes out on a voyage, obsessively seeking revenge on the great white whale that took his leg. Foreword by John Arcudi. A literary classic, adapted by award-winning artist Christophe Chaboute.

[balu8]

Christophe Chaboute

[graphicpolicy]

Preview: Yellow Cab

Yellow Cab preview. A sensitive, deeply human graphic novel with breathtaking illustrations that pay vibrant tribute to New York City. #comics #comicbooks

[unsoundedcomic]

Have you glimpsed with your eyes Evan Dahm's illustrated Moby Dick?

I have, and it was a bold project for him to take on. There have been some heart-wrenchingly gorgeous Moby-Dick illustrated adaptations. My favourites are Pierre Alary's and Christophe Chaboute's, though I think Dahm was reaching for something like Barry Moser's illustrations for the Arion Press edition.

I personally would take a less literal approach, like Bill Sienkiewicz did years ago. Moby-Dick has a straightforward narrative if you want it, but it’s not that narrative that’s made it timeless. The world only needs so many images of a grouchy old one-legged man in a tall Quaker hat or whale boats or coffins floating on the waves; I’d love to see more abstract takes that go after the imagery described in the metaphors and allusions. Strike through the mask, so to speak.

[adultintheyasection]

With the only words in “Park Bench” being book titles and scribbles on the bench, it is the purest form of a graphic novel.  I can’t even begin to describe how beautiful this book is.  No words could do it justice.  I laughed and I cried and I felt despair for the human race and hope for the human race and etc.  I can’t recommend this enough.  It is truly something you will never forget.  If only there were 100 star ratings.

This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[vagabondageautourdesoi]

@glenatbd Les visiteurs admirent les œuvres chacun à sa manière. Christophe Chabouté les dessine avec beaucoup de justesse. On s’y reconnaîtra à  certains moments.

À la nuit, ce sont les personnages des tableaux qui se mettent à nous regarder. #BD #book #books#bookstragram #bookstagram #avis 👇 https://vagabondageautourdesoi.com/2024/04/16/musee-christophe-chaboute/

[clean-casual-analysis]

What a Character!: Captain Ahab

This one is probably the furthest you can get from the last one, because I’m talking about one of the oldest literary legends of all time. Determined captain of the Pequod and monomaniacal hunter of the white whale, Captain Ahab.

But before we dig in, I feel obligated to point out that I have not read the actual book, but I did read the graphic novel by chaboute and will use it as a point of reference. I don’t know how different it is from the original book, but it’s honestly one of the best comics I’ve read.

Obsession Incarnate

Most who don’t actually know/haven’t read the story have a general outline of who Captain Ahab is. An older man who had his leg bitten off by Moby Dick, a white sperm whale who’s infamous for destroying whaling ships. He’s now obsessed with killing the creature for petty revenge. But to see his obsession in action is something else entirely. There’s seemingly no doubt in his mind that Moby Dick is a heartless monster, rather than a defensive animal. To Ahab, the white whale is a demon that deserves every harpoon in his hide.

We actually meet other whalers as the story progresses. One in particular lost an arm to Moby Dick, and is the complete inverse to Ahab. He already lost a limb, and doesn’t want to loose his life trying to kill it. Ahab doesn’t even seem to care, and only wants to know where the whale went. The other captain can only look on as Ahab leaves, wondering just how mad he has become.

Herding Lamb to the Slaughter House

You know those people that just own the room as soon as they walk into it? Captain Ahab has full control over the ship, and all but one question his leadership. He has a reputation that brings silent awe to most sailors. Even before he has speaking lines, his footsteps overheard from below deck give pause to resting crew mates. If nothing else, he knows how to work a crowd. I won’t give too much away, but even at his lowest point of madness and desperation he wins people over to his side. I wouldn’t say it’s charisma, but his command over his crew is both haunting and impressive.

“As dark as Ahab might be… he’s human!”

What’s most interesting are his moments of humanity. Starbuck is the only voice of reason in this story, someone who objects to this pointless hunt for revenge. It’s through Ahab and Starbuck’s arguing we see a strange friendship form. Near the very end of the story, Ahab even opens up about how much sea life has made him a bitter old man. Starbuck genuinely feels sorry for him. He wants to stop the hunt, not just to save the crew, but to save Ahab. And by the end of the story, you want Ahab to be saved from his obsession as well. But the sea captain’s fate was tragically sealed a long time ago. Even before his ultimate demise, his scarred and obsessive soul was lost to the ocean.