ABOUT THIS BOOK. PREFACE BY DIANA GABALDON
DG learned to read from a very young age with his mother, in part by reading Walt Disney comics.
In her youth, she even wrote screenplays for Disney for two years.
DG wanted to write a graphic novel and requested it to his liJary agent
who shortly after asked him to create "a new story of Jamie and Claire but who
fits into Outlander's settings ".
"- OK I do it! ".
She began to write the screenplay while choosing the artist who would do the illustrations from a wide variety of designers. It was DG herself who chose Hoang Ngyen for the beauty of her very pictorial style, for her work with light, color, composition and above all because of her ability to represent facial expressions. Diana says that she worked harmoniously with him on the project: “- I gave Hoang a summary of the characters, he made sketches, suggestions, he revised the drawing according to my remarks, then made a color version. , etc… —I told him exactly what I wanted to say in each plate, with the points of view, the details, each framing, and the dialogues. Fortunately, he is a very kind and flexible person, so our approach has worked well "
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Author / Screenplay - Diana Gabaldon
Illustrations - Hoang Nguyen
Typographer - Bill Tortolini
- 2010 -
Presentation and analysis: Gratianne Garcia
SYNOPSIS
This comic corresponds to the first part of volume 1 "Outlander".
What's interesting and new is that the story is told from Jamie's perspective, not Claire's like the novel does. DG tells us a new plot, indeed, it does not begin with Claire's life in the twentieth century with Frank, but with Jamie who arrives on a boat, he returns to Scotland after a convalescent stay in France at the Abbey of Ste Anne de Beaupré.
His godfather Murtagh welcomes him.
EDITOR'S SUMMARY
After too long an absence, Jamie Fraser returns home to Scotland, but not without great trepidation. Although his beloved godfather, Murtagh, has promised Jamie's late parents that he will watch over their brash son, honoring this vow will not be an easy task. There is already a big bounty on the young exile's head, from Captain Black Jack Randall, the sadistic British officer who crossed Jamie's paths in the past. As well as at the court of the mighty MacKenzie Clan, where Jamie is a pawn in the power struggle between his uncles, aging chieftain Colum, who demands loyalty from his nephew, and his brother Dougal, warchief of the MacKenzie clan. , who would rather see Jamie put to the sword than become Colum's heir in his place.
And then there is Claire Randall - Mysterious, beautiful and willful, who appears in Jamie's life to stir her compassion and arouse her desire. But even as Jamie's heart is drawn to Claire, Murtagh is certain that she has been sent by the Auld Ories (time travelers) and Captain Randall accuses her of being a spy. Claire clearly has something to hide, even though Jamie can't believe she could put him in danger. Still, he knows she's torn between two choices: a life with him, and whatever draws her so often elsewhere.
DG brings us to life through this story, a captivating, passionate and suspenseful world, which shows us another underlying light of his novel.
Jamie
The story is told from Jamie's perspective, he expresses what he wants and what he feels. First, his doubts about his future, he is in danger of death in more ways than one and does not know where to go. He finds himself in spite of himself, involved in a political imbroglio concerning the succession of his uncle Colum.
His meeting with Claire, with whom he falls in love and to whom he has promised protection, is decisive, it will allow him to grow and assert himself.
In the end, he finds happiness and a bit of peace by taking her to Lallybroch after their marriage.
The predominant character depicted is that of a warrior who is not afraid to do battle, while being sensitive and protective.
MURTAGH
Murtagh is Jamie's godfather, he is a key character here, very present from start to finish.
He is portrayed with a strong character in his primary mission which is the protection of Jamie, as well as for side missions whether political or espionage.
He is very concerned for his godson like a father would.
He witnesses the arrival of the Auld Ories to Craig Na Dun (Time Travelers), and it is with finesse, discretion and determination that he tries to unravel this mystery by foiling their plans.
He too is a warrior who doesn't hesitate to draw his sword to protect and defend Jamie.
He is also shown to be sensitive, sometimes moved to tears when it comes to love, the lost love of Ellen, Jamie's mother, and the love Jamie feels when he marries Claire.
CLAIRE
Claire does not appear until the 2nd chapter.
She is represented as a little fury throughout the comic, with a strong and even violent character. Lost and disoriented when she arrived, she is very upset and very angry with everything that is going on around her, and resent everyone. She makes it known immediately by her attitude and her language, determined not to let it go.
The only times we see her laying down is when she's treating Jamie in Leoch.
It’s only at the end, finally in control of her life, that she will accept what is happening to her, only to indulge in a little happiness: Being in Jamie's arms.
DOUGAL
Dougal is a formidable character, he is the warlord of the MacKenzie clan. He has an authoritarian and unfriendly character, it is he who commands men. He is a troubled personality who leads a double game, between his negotiations for become Laird upon the death of his brother Colum and his activism for the Jacobite Revolt.
Jamie appreciated by Colum bothers him. He seeks to remove him to have the way open, in order to succeed his brother and also to get Claire back and marry her once a widow.
COLUM
Colum, Laird of Leoch Castle and Clan MacKenzie is portrayed as a strong man despite illness. He is portrayed as a pleasant and courteous character who consults and thinks a lot. The future of his Clan is his main concern. He wants to expand the estate and makes arrangements for his will.
Very attached to his blood family, he seeks to protect and promote his son Hamish.
What I like :
- I really enjoyed seeing this story from another point of view, Jamie's, like the other side of the looking glass. He's a character that I like a lot, it's very interesting to discover his reactions and feelings, it also answers some unanswered questions, and gives him depth.
- The character of Murtagh, little present in the book is here a pivot of the story, everything revolves around him and he reveals himself: as a late diplomat, a discreet spy and behaves like a structuring and protective father for Jamie, he also proves to be a great sentimentalist who bears a still open wound.
- The "travelers" are present and we know why they are there. DG presents them to us through an intrigue that interweaves them with the main story.
- The graphic, colorful, expressive and energetic bias of the artist HN, fits well with this facet of the story told by DG which is rather dark, dramatic and violent.
- The appearance of a new character, Kenneth, and certain details allow DG to answer underlying questions left unanswered in Book 1 and developed later in the saga.
What I like least:
- I didn't really like the drawing of the characters, I find them too far removed from my mental image. The women are overly plump, as is often the case in the comics.
- There aren't really any romantic scenes between Jamie and Claire, the storyline envisioned by DG placed more emphasis on political intrigue and power issues.
GEILLIS
Geillis is a beautiful, intriguing, flirtatious, bossy and dangerous woman. She is portrayed quite sympathetically.
A declared traveler, who left in 1968, ready for anything, she is not there by chance. It is with gentleness or firmness that she attracts in her nets the men who will serve her cause: to return Jacques Stuart to the throne of Scotland and England.
Secretly, she is maneuvering to interfere with Colum's estate and gain control of the Clan. Her actions have been premeditated since the 20th century with her lover Kenneth who joins her.
KENNETH
Kenneth is what we call in Gaelic an “Auld Ories” (Time Traveler). Spotted by Murtagh, he arrived just before Claire. Having left at the same time as Geillis in 1968, only to arrive without explanation 10 years later, he is portrayed in a deceitful and unsympathetic manner, often violent, and without qualms, he does not hesitate to take out his knife. He acts in the shadows like a spy completely under the influence of Geillis, carrying out his orders. To infiltrate Clan MacKenzie, he takes an oath to Colum at the Gathering. In order to carry out his mission, he is everywhere, we see him at all the festivities, the expeditions, the hunt with the Duke, at the wedding of Claire and Jamie ...
A big question arises for Geillis and Kenneth: is Claire a traveler? And why is she here?
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Hoang Nguyen, the illustrator chosen by DG, followed his directions while keeping his personal style.
The dominant character of this comic is violence, the characters are often abused, indeed the emphasis is on expressions and their movement in action.
The sets are simple, with few details, they serve as a background to locate the actions and the characters.
The light is beautiful and worked to serve as a background, it highlights the characters.
It is she who sets the pace for the scenography, she underlines the emotions.
It is either diffuse to evoke the passing of time or the concealment of the characters, or contrasted and lively for a violent action.
The design is asserted with clean lines that surround the shapes and with a dry, thick and visible line for movement. This personal and particular graphic design of Hoang Nguyen, draws with precision the characters which one recognizes well from one page to another and reveals with realism their character as well as their expressions.
The colors are attractive; Bright and contrasting, they bring energy and exacerbate the violence very present on each board. They are painted in a pictorial way, which gives a pleasant freshness to the eye, it is alive and invigorating.
The touch is either smooth for the model of the characters, or with visible traces for the materials or movements.
Finally, this graphic novel THE EXILE should be read as a new approach to history. True to the first part of the novel "Outlander - The Thistle and the Tartan" it is a good addition for fans of the saga, as are the other "spin offs" written by DG.
Gratianne Garcia
* Source: http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/the-exile-graphic-novel/
END WORDS
Passionate about everything related to the visual arts in general, as well as a great lover of the Outlander saga, I got the comic book as soon as I heard about it.
The following lines are only my personal opinion.
On first reading, I was confused not only because it's in oral English, but also by this new way of telling the story that I already know through volume 1 and the saga and season 1 of series.
Author / Screenplay - Diana Gabaldon
Illustrations - Hoang Nguyen
Typographer - Bill Tortolini
- 2010 -
Presentation and analysis: Gratianne Garcia