In Memoriam: Manon is a graphic novel, part 1 of a series. It takes place in a fantasy version of Paris and centers in Manon, a cop who shares a tiny apartment with her girlfriend. We enter this world at a time when there are anti-magic protests and hate crimes. The story follows Manon as she struggles with fighting against and siding with magic simultaneously. My favorite part was the enormous cats.

The art is beautiful and evocative. It feels stylistically relevant in 2023, with touches of mid-century comics. Artistic choices like some of the text rendered to look like it's written in a black sharpie brought the art together to fit the urban Paris setting of the story. The atmospheric moments, such as the explosion that takes up entire spreads early on in the book, were really enjoyable.

Despite not being a big fan of graphic novels, I was drawn into the story and quite enjoyed the read. The characters have enticing personalities. There were a couple of places where I couldn't quite follow the motivation behind what the characters were doing, but that might be cleared up in later installments in the series. I read through the book in one quick sitting and didn't want to put it down while it was in my hands.

Set in Paris amidst anti-magic protests, In Memoriam, is a graphic novel that explores relationships and revolution in equal measure.

This was a very interesting manga. It had a very unique storyline and everything was easy to understand and I also really enjoyed all the characters on the Ark. They have between each other. I will definitely read more of this in the future, but I think it seemed a little jumpy. I didn’t very much flow well, so I Was a little bit taken off guard by that. The All-Star was absolutely stunning and I did like the ratio from art to text so I would actually continue reading this in the future, but I feel like it was just a set up for future series and less overall one and done manga, which is what I’m used to.

This is a short volume set in an alternate Paris that was once the magical capital of the world, until a magical explosion brought it all to an end. There's a mysterious girl out in the dead zones that could be the key to figuring out what happened, and cop Manon decides to team up with an ex-wizard to find her. The worldbuilding and setting was fantastic, such an interesting and fun urban fantasy setup. The art was equally amazing, and easily my favorite part of the book. The figures were varied and the motion was fluid, the coloration was so good as well and really set the tone. What I struggled with was the story itself, I felt like it was told in chunks and that things moved along too quickly, I had a hard time following what was happening and why.

Thank you NetGalley and EuropeComics for this ARC.

Let me start by saying that it's very rare that I find graphic novels enjoyable due to the fact that they don't get subtle details over to the reader as well as the written word does. I've been looking for a comic that has such fast-paced action and enchanting atmosphere that could allow me to forget that I'm reading a comic for a long time. And I think I just found one!

From the very first frame I was completely immersed in this world drenched in magic, and a couple of pages in I was desperately scanning the art to see if I can find a relic of my own.

The main conflict was laid out very early, and it was easy to believe people in real life would react to magic the way they did in this story. (After all, isn't this why wizards went into hiding in Harry Potter?)

The characters were introduced in way that made me sympathetic to all of them, even though they all had major character flaws. The real antagonists only appeared halfway through, and I enjoyd the fact that there were multiple candidates popping up before that.

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this comic book, and can't wait for the sequels to come out.

This was one of the best new graphic novels I’ve read in a while. Djet and Salvia have skillfully built two distinct and deep worlds in mere pages in In Memoriam. Manon and Mila are police officers in Paris, in love in a world experiencing it’s ‘magic boom’, similar to our tech boom. Some people fear it, some carry magic casually on them like a cell phone. Children play with it on the train as the women go to an appointment. Magic is mundane in the sense that it isn’t an ‘other’, it’s a fact of life. When an apparent terrorist attack rocks the city, magic becomes something very different, as does the world Manon and Mila now live in. In Memoriam stories the aftermath of the attack, and what Manon will do to learn the truth.

Trigger Warning: The story centers police officers. Celebration of arrests and/or police violence is present. All works with a law enforcement officer as the main character provide ‘good PR’ to law enforcement, regardless of if the character is ‘good’ or ‘bad’. It is important to be cognizant of this when consuming media about police officers.

A very flashy opening for an action SF story -- I am delighted with the design of characters (a buff lesbian! completely the star of her team of policemen!) but not so thrilled with the direction of the story (must we kill OTHER lesibans? and anyway, looking for an orphan doesn't seem as cool as having a couple of women being happy with one another). If you are less affected by queer deaths on page, this might be more for you; but my love for flashy action is not stronger than my allergy to burying more gays.

A very stylish, grabbing opening to a SF series: a riot of colors, super slick character design, and loads of flashy violence. On the plus side: two lesbian detectives, being incredibly good-lucking and happy together on page one. On the downside: the same two lesbians getting wrecked twice by the story, even though it has a whole of 76 pages in it. As much as I like stylish violence set to neon colors, I would very much prefer to keep my lesbian detectives couple alive... For all its promise of cool action, if the direction of the story travel is to investigate mystical orphans and violent psychopaths at the expense of creating a tragic backstory with a dead lesbian, I am probably going to sit that one out

Thanks to #EuropeComics #NetGalley for an arc of In Memoriam by Djet & Mathieu Salvia.

Wow, I haven’t read a graphic novel like this in a long time, and it was just insanely good.

With a style reminiscent of Y: The Last Man, graphic novel fans will rejoice in the first instalment of this series that brings us into a post-magic Paris.

The book set the scene well, and the world building was extremely effective. I couldn’t believe I was already at the end because I was that engrossed in the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide my honest opinion.

This is the first in a series of comics. Magic has gone wrong, and has left no go areas of ‘hot’ deformed magic. The story starts with a search to find a young girl lost in one of these zones in Paris. This is an action packed comic, with an interesting cast of characters being introduced to the reader. 4 stars as a lot has been left still to be explained. I look forward to finding out more in the the next volume. Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the comic ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

"In Memoriam" by Djet & Mathieu Salvia is a graphic masterpiece that will enrapture both comic enthusiasts and newcomers alike. With its breathtaking artwork, innovative plot, and richly imagined world, this comic is nothing short of perfection.

One of the standout features of "In Memoriam" is its art style, which is nothing short of fantastic. The illustrations leap off the page, immersing readers in a visually stunning world where magic and mystery reign supreme. The attention to detail and the creative character designs truly elevate the reading experience, making each panel a work of art in its own right.

The plot of "In Memoriam" is a testament to the authors' storytelling prowess. It presents a unique and captivating premise: a world where Paris, once a hub of magical arts, has been forever altered by a mysterious explosion. The mystery surrounding this event and its consequences drive the narrative forward, keeping readers hooked from beginning to end. The world-building is exceptional, offering a glimpse into a universe where magic, relics, and danger coexist in a beautifully crafted tapestry.

Set against the backdrop of a French setting, the comic's atmosphere is both enchanting and evocative. The use of the locale adds depth and authenticity to the story, making it a truly immersive experience. Moreover, the character development in "In Memoriam" is exemplary. The protagonist, Manon, is a complex and relatable character with a chip on her shoulder, while ex-wizard Adam adds layers of intrigue and depth to the narrative. As the story unfolds, their partnership becomes a focal point, and their growth as individuals is masterfully portrayed.

"In Memoriam" excels in keeping its readers engaged and thoroughly invested in its world and characters. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right balance of action, mystery, and character development. The addition of a murderous duo with the ability to use magic adds a thrilling layer of tension and intrigue to the plot.

In conclusion, "In Memoriam" is the perfect comic in every sense. With its exceptional art, inventive plot, richly imagined world, and well-crafted characters, it offers a reading experience that is impossible to forget. Djet and Mathieu Salvia have created a masterpiece that will leave readers totally engaged and thoroughly hooked. This comic is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the art of storytelling and visual brilliance in equal measure.

Can’t wait for book 2!