Bella Muerte Vol. 1: El Alcaudón (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
So this book actually stands on the fine line of 2.5/3 star rating. I think its a good comic with some nice art and interesting story, but the problem is that not enough is explained and it seems that the story continues and might not explain what happened previously. Also there are a few sequences when you can't tell what the hell is going on. To be honest I think if this was a one shot story I would give it a sold 3 star rating or higher but as the kick off to as the first story in what is to be a series I don't know if I think that' a too good idea. As a whole I would personally would say check it out. It's an interesting experience. This is a graphic novel that merits multiple read throughs, if only to untangle the skeins of the story, but it was a blast to read nonetheless. The surreal logic, that jarring effect of jumping into the story almost in media res, was alleviated by the mythic structure of layered stories and recognizable themes (when Death takes a lover, all hell breaks loose). Personally, I like the fact that this story still has unexplained elements and inspiration. Though I'm not familiar with the inspiration of the plot, it feels familiar and yet vivid, particularly as we get to see most of the world through the eyes of Sissy. The delineation between man and monster is a fun line to run down, as always, particularly as there are only three characters who have purely human names (Alice, Sissy, and Ginny) where the men are all Fox, Johnny Coyote, and Mutt. There was something about this story that left me wanting more. The story veered so close to tragedy so many times, and honestly, victory came at a terrible price, but that's how it is with myths. I can't wait for Volume 2.
What do You think about Bella Muerte Vol. 1: El Alcaudón (2014)?
A bit too weird for me, but a beautiful Western-tinged fable about death, and death's replacement.
—feri
The art was lovely but I could not figure out what was supposed to be happening in the story.
—AKWallace93
Beautiful story, beautiful artwork, amazing characters. This book fantastic.
—darkness
