In Odd We Trust
Published: 24, June 2008
Author: Dean Koontz and Queenie Chan
Genre: Biographical, Crime Manga, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical, Horror Manga, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Odd Thomas Graphic Novels Book 1
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review
The first graphic novel starring Dean Koontz's character Odd Thomas is In Odd We Trust. Queenie Chan and Koontz wrote it, and Chan illustrated it in a Manga manner. "In Odd We Trust" is an excellent new installment in the Odd Thomas series. For those of you who are new to the series, I can only recommend reading the first four novels. For those of you who have previously read the novels, this is where you should start. This is more of the Odd you're used to, but because it's a graphic book, it's a lot shorter read. As a result, it moves at a much quicker rate.
The knowledge you already have of Odd and the strange things he knows, does, and thinks helps to compensate for the fast pace and lack of details such as Odd's thoughts to himself.
This graphic novel comes before Brother Odd. It was a brief story, but it was excellent. I love how they turned this into a graphic novel.
I adore comics and Manga if the author, illustrator, and character are worth my time, and this book was full of perfection for me and I liked it, the only thing that was difficult for my brain to adjust to was Odd Thomas’s character, and that was because of the movie. If you watch the movie, you'll understand what I'm saying.
You may note that I repeat a few sentences in this review, such as it is a graphic novel, a comic, and a Manga. I'm doing it on purpose so that skimmers may read it and realize it's not a regular book, and they won't blame me or the author for not telling them or tricking them into buying a comic instead of a regular book.
Odd Thomas was an excellent first novel, and I was eager to see and read the sequel. The third was likewise snatched up with zeal. I was a little upset by the finish of the first book, but it felt appropriate once I realized what it meant. This comic novel was an excellent method to introduce Odd to a broader audience.
The reason this book did not receive a perfect score is as follows... The drawings are fine, but Dean Koontz has been so masterful at expressing Odd Thomas' actions, ideas, and the amusing ways that he thinks without actually describing him that seeing him portrayed in this work was a minor disappointment.
Interestingly, it is probable that Dean Koontz, who addresses Odd's representation at the conclusion of this book, never fully pictured Odd, and while he enjoyed the portrayal and believed it was the best that could be done, it fell somewhat short.
The tale is nice, but it misses Koontz's brilliant comedy since it is a graphic novel rather than a whole book. I enjoy the Odd Thomas series, and although this one was enjoyable, it appeared to forgo information in favor of visual effects.
The same Odd is present, but Stormy is not how I would have imagined her from the previous books. I've read almost all of them; therefore I obviously like the characters and the majority of the plots.
Stormy is still a main character in the book, hence it begins before the first strange Thomas novel. It is a short read, and the artwork is excellent for those of us who lack creative skills.
Because of the animation, I believe it will attract a younger audience to the series. If you've read the Odd Thomas series, you'll enjoy this book, but if you haven't, there are a lot of unsolved issues and gaps in the plot.
Dean Koontz has undergone a significant transformation. I love his Odd stories, and this is simply another interesting and unique way to convey them.
To truly appreciate the narrative, I believe you must be a fan of Odd Thomas. Dean Koontz comics and graphic novels are required reading for every Dean Koontz fan or collector.
Be mindful of the following before purchasing In Odd We Trust:
A - This isn't an Odd Thomas novel; it's a black-and-white comic book, a graphic novel done in the style of Japanese manga. If you do not love this form of amusement, do not purchase this product.
B - This graphic novel isn't entirely written by Dean Koontz; instead, most of the work is done by Queenie Chan, a well-known Manga writer, and illustrator.
If you anticipate the literary style to be comparable to that of the Odd Thomas novels, you will be disappointed. However, I feel Chan comes close to capturing each character's soul. Her pictures of Odd Thomas and, in particular, Stormy Llewellyn, were likewise spot on.
Overall, I believe Chan did an excellent job here, especially considering the likely creative limits she had.
(3) In Odd We Trust is a prequel tale set before the events of the first Odd Thomas novel. As a consequence, I believe it is not the greatest spot to begin Odd's narrative.
My recommendation is to start with Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas book and then move on to In Odd We Trust. I believe that doing so will increase your pleasure of the graphic book.
In general, I enjoyed In Odd We Trust. It's a great story, and I liked seeing all of the characters from the first Odd Thomas novel again.
The tale lacks the complexity of Koontz's novels, but I believe this is due to the graphic novel format's limitations (the story, after all, is less than 150 pages long, and took me about half an hour to read). However, if you're a Koontz fan who also appreciates Manga, this is definitely worth your time.
Final Thoughts
I enjoy graphic books. I enjoy reading comic books. Anything that tells a good tale appeals to me. Dean Koontz's short tale served as the inspiration for this novel. The short story is supplied so that you can observe whether the images diverge from the plot.
I must say that it was once again extremely pleasant; it was good to see Odd and Stormy together again on another journey, even though this is a precursor.
I expected this to be a fantastic way for the series to become more aesthetically exciting, and I was not disappointed. The Manga style was a bit strange to me, but the tale was compelling.
I believe a more typical comic book or graphic novel approach, as well as color in the artwork, would have been preferable, but the overall tale was fantastic and in line with Koontz's usual genius in the Odd Thomas world. Congratulations to both Mr. Koontz and Queenie Chan!
Overall, I loved this since it helps to explain Odd and Stormy's connection while also revealing elements of Odd's background that are addressed and hinted at throughout the novels.
If you like the rest of the Odd Series, you should get this as well (you'll be glad you did). If you've read the Odd Thomas novels and liked them but weren't blown away by them, you should definitely go to a bookstore and read them there.
The graphic novel is equally as good as the traditional novel. Those who adore Manga will appreciate its distinct structure and aesthetics. The tale is fantastic, and the artwork is equally so! I adore it!
Synopsis
““Meet a young man named Odd . . . who helps the dead get even."
From the infinite imagination of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz comes the suspenseful graphic-novel debut of a natural-born hero with a supernatural twist.
Odd Thomas is a regular nineteen-year-old with an unusual gift: the ability to see the lingering spirits of the dead. To Odd, it’s not such a big deal. And most folks in sleepy Pico Mundo, California, are much more interested in the irresistible pancakes Odd whips up at the local diner. Still, communing with the dead can be useful. Because while some spirits only want a little company . . . others want justice.
When the sad specter of a very frightened boy finds its way to him, Odd vows to root out the evil suddenly infecting the sunny streets of Pico Mundo. But even with his exceptional ability–plus the local police and his pistol-packing girlfriend, Stormy, backing him–is Odd any match for a faceless stalker who’s always a step ahead . . . and determined to kill again?”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Artwork, Bad Guy, Black And White, Fry Cook, Graphic Novel, Love The Odd, Odd Thomas Series, Odd We Trust, Pico Mundo, Story Line, Thomas Series
Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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