Talons of Blood: The Survivors vol 1 (Graphic Novel) (Science Fiction)

by Hermann

Publisher: Fantagraphics (1982)

Paperback, 48 pages. 

In typical me fashion I am reviewing all of these books backwards. This is volume one of the series called Jeremiah, but was first published in the US as The Survivors. Two volumes by Fantagraphics in the 80s. I had previously reviewedbook two, but now have stumbled across book one and decided to give my two cents on the volume.

This sets the scene and tone for nearly all of the volumes of this comic. After various racial wars and a limited nuclear exchange, the United States is broken into smaller racially segregated pockets. Gasoline production is gone, so civilization has reverted to a more homesteader style of life. Everything is produced by hand and while people are still living off the scraps of the old world, they still are building new structure as people will do.

This issue shows how Jeremiah becomes separated from his community and meets his friend Kurdy. Here they come across a crooked warlord who is selling his own people as slaves to an Indian reservation. An orgy of violence is the result.

It is the creation of Hermann Huppen, just known as Herman, a Belgium sci-fi comic artist. Jeremiah has been published all over, beginning with Metal Hurlant (Screaming Metal) magazine and Spirou (the comic anthology which gave us the Smurfs). The art is detailed and fiery. A grim visual feast that stains the eyes with bleak violence and a desire to stay alive. Every line screams it.

As of now Jeremiah has had thirty five volumes published over four decades. Only a handful, maybe twelve, have been translated into English. They are worth a look if you can find it for the right price.

For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst.