JULES VERNE'S LIGHTHOUSE - graphic novel


 Maria Vasquez prefers to be alone and currently has a dream job managing a lighthouse. It is the year 2717 and the Lighthouse is a supercomputer beacon that helps spaceships navigate through a turbulent area of space filled with wormholes. Maria oversees the lighthouse, along with her robot sidekick, Moses.

When a ship arrives unexpectedly Maria is quickly on edge - and rightfully so.  A pirate ship has arrived and they hijack the lighthouse station. Fortunately, Maria knows a few ways in and out of her space and is able to stay ahead of the pirates. But the pirates aren't there just to take control of the Lighthouse.  They are there awaiting the arrival of another ship which they plan to send in the wrong wormhole.

But Maria's past comes back to haunt her when she is recognized by the pirates.  Her military history has a dark side which she would rather forget.

I am not familiar with Jules Verne's The Lighthouse at the End of the World but it's good bet it doesn't take place hundreds of years in the future. (It does, however, share themes of survival in a distant wilderness and piracy.)

The story was exciting and adventurous - pretty much what you might want from space opera. There were moments that felt out of place - a one-on-one showdown inside battle-bot suits, for instance - which definitely make this feel more like a series of comic books than a graphic novel. It's a decent story but it's a not a page-turner.

The artwork is mostly fine.  There are two female characters who look a lot alike and it's sometimes hard to tell which character we're following just by looking through the art panels.

The role of the robot was a little over-the-top for me. It was constantly being protective which made it appear almost superhuman and frankly that's a bit boring in a space opera.  We need character flaws and conflict.

Looking for a good book? Jules Verne's Lighthouse is a graphic novel that is generally an enjoyable space opera read, but it isn't a standout in a crowded graphic novel field.

I received a temporary digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

* * * * * *

Jules Verne's Lighthouse

author: David Hine

artist: Brian Haberlin

publisher: Image Comics

ISBN: 153431993X 

paperback, 144 pages

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