Isaac the Pirate

(NBM, 2004)
™ and © 2004 Christophe Blain

Anyone predisposed to picking up this book has probably already read Blain’s Speed Abater (published last year by NBM), a semi-autobiographical tale of Blain’s days in the French navy and a subdued story of how Blain’s dreams of military high-seas adventures were quickly doused. This graphic novel is also rooted in Blain’s naval past, and it’s an excellent companion piece to his previous story, as well as a superb stand-alone.

Unlike the regressive goals laid out in Speed Abater, Isaac takes the opposite approach: A struggling French artist takes to the seas for no reason other than to earn money in a more prosperous locale. But, instead, young Isaac is duped into hooking up with a group of pirates who tire of seeking riches and turn to exploration. His captain’s destination? Antarctica.

So Isaac’s quest for cash turns into an adventure, which, in turn, becomes an expedition. But rather than cower in the face of uncertainty, Blain’s character faces it head-on. And the effect is the same: a fresh and relatively unpredictable story that quickly fills 100 pages. But it doesn’t end there; the story is slated to continue in a second volume.
However, while admittedly necessary as a plot device, the idea of a pirate captain suddenly consumed with the idea of becoming an explorer seems contrived. A bigger detraction, though, is the admittedly unnecessary and predictable subplot involving Isaac’s lonely ladyfriend back home. Perhaps this becomes more relevant in the story’s continuation; here, it seems to serve no purpose.

This should appeal to readers outside of Blain’s fan base: most obviously, fans of pirates and stories on the open sea, although Blain fans will get the most out of his low-key, drier form of storytelling.

— Jim Johnson

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#2

December, 2004
Cover Price: $14.95
1 copy available for $12.00

Christophe Blain