The Grand Duke Hardcover
Writer: Yanno
Artist: Romain Hugault
Letterer: Thomas Mauer
Editor: Paul Morrisey
Cover by: Romain Hugault
A Romeo-and-Juliet story set against WWII Aerial Dogfights
The Eastern Front during WWII: Oberleutnant Wulf, a young Luftwaffe pilot, is horrified by Nazi barbarism and at odds with his fellow pilots, even as he finds himself taking to the skies to fight the infamous "Night Witches" - the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, the most decorated female unit in the Soviet Air Force. Motivated only by his desire to return home to his daughter, Romy, Wulf tries to survive the increasingly desperate and ferocious Eastern Front, while Lilya, the "Red Witch," leads her comrades against the German invaders.
Just when you think every WWII story imaginable has been done, a gem like The Grand Duke falls out of the sky and explodes in your heart. The story is amazing, the art is fantastic. Every plane, while a killing machine, is beautifully illustrated and unique throughout with spectacular aerial dogfights illustrations. Awesome!!
Warning *** EXPLICT & MATURE Material - Profanity, Nudity, Sex *** Warning
Please DO NOT buy for children!!
Stories/Spoilers:
Olberleutnant Wulf is not a passionate Nazi. In fact, he rather detests their blustering and goose-stepping snobs. He is one of the Third Reich's best fighter pilots though, and he has made quite a reputation for himself, both as a fighter and a disrespectful Nazi. Lilya, "The Red Witch," is the Soviet Union's best female fighter pilot and former member of "The Night Witches," the infamous (to the Germans) all female bomber squad. For both the skies of World War II torn Germany and Russia are at times forgiving and and others merciless. With little love for the politics of their respective homelands, but duty bound to protect them, Wulf and Lilya will fall into the others' enemy lands and hands, only to escape. Will they be able to escape the harsh realities of war, and their mutual attraction, though?
Smartly written and plotted by Yann and lavishly and accurately illustrated by Romain Hugault, The Grand Duke is a rare work of realistic World War II era historical fiction. Described as a "Romeo and Juliet type story," The Grand Duke is more a tour de force of a look into the lives of two fictional, but very likely and realistic, fighter pilots and their war torn lives. The story paints the picture of two noble souls fighting a war against each other while doubting at heart the political beliefs and motivations of their respective countries' leaders and guiding philosophies. Both Lilya and Wulf are highly likable, if at times morally dubious, characters. In war there is often little that is black and while moralistically, and Lilya and Wulf represent that aspect in their character as well as their nobility. What really makes The Grand Duke a pure joy to read is Romain Hugault's stunningly beautiful and historically accurate art. Hugault, an aviation reference book illustrator, demonstrates here that he is more than just a master of artistic representations of his beloved airplanes. The frigid landscapes of WWII Germany and The USSR as well as the other weapons of war such as tanks, artillery, and other various war machines, along with the era's deadly, but beautiful, flying machines are lavishly and gloriously recreated on the page. His depictions of aerial warfare are simply breathtaking with their near photographic quality. He is also quite the talented illustrator of the female form, as he also demonstrates here. While a mature readers title (The Grand Duke does contain Profanity, Nudity, & Sex), it is one that should be widely read and enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in World War II history and avionics as well as well written and drawn historical fiction. Highly recommended. Excellent review by Andy Frisk on Nov 20, 2012 - 23:16.
Warning *** EXPLICT & MATURE Material - Profanity, Nudity, Sex *** Warning
Please DO NOT buy for children!!
Hardcover is bagged and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.
First Printing
Publisher: Archaia Entertainment, LLC.
Publication Date: May 2012
Format: FC, 156 pages, HC, 7.1" x 10.5"
ISBN-10: 1936393476
ISBN-13: 9781936393473
Collectible Entertainment note: Hardcover is in Very Good condition. (significant corner damage >> front top right & back top left) Overall... Very Nice Reading Copy! Please See Scans!! A must have for any serious World War 2 Aerial Dog-fighting collector and/or enthusiast. A fun & entertaining read. Very Highly Recommended.
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