Vampire Loves

Joann Sfar has an interesting style of graphic novel. It often rambles but includes insights that are very perceptive. This novel is about a vampire called Ferdinand who has no luck in love. It follows him and his strange friends as they try to fall in love. It is quite funny and light hearted but very insightful.

I loved the artwork in this graphic novel! Ferdinand's cat was especially amusing. What I DIDN'T like was that the author put himself into the story, and when graphic novel artists do that it really irks me.

I fell in love with this graphic novel. It has a little bit of everything....humor, awkward love, mystery, adventure. I especially enjoyed the snippet written from the perspective of creatures created from "monster putty."

You have to feel for Ferdinand the Vampire. He's a sensitive soul on a quest for love, and is bewildered by the fickle world of women. His friends aren't much help, sleeping with the girls he likes and getting him involved in murder investigations. He has plenty of opportunities for romance, and is game to take them up, but somehow he just can't get a relationship to work.

This is an adorable book. I'm not keen on the word 'quirky' but it seems apt here - I've never read anything quite like this. It's funny and charming. Sfar does his own illustrations which are great, with lots of background detail, but the colourist really sets the mood with muted mauves and greens.

Ferdinand's world is a strange one, populated by friendly 'monsters' of show more many varieties, but also one where he can go to goth nightclubs, go record-shopping, and have his granny over to make him soup. I was entranced. show less

I loved this! Ferdinand is the cutest noferatu/geek ever! Being from the time of "goths" (think 80's here) I loved this book becuase I had to laugh at all those
gothy stereotypes I fell in as a teen (ugh! if you could see the pictures). Ferndinand is
newly single and love isn't any easier when your dead! This book blends mythology and
philosophy along with humor and melancholy.

A neurotic but fairly reasonable vampire and his (lack of) love life. More gold from Sfar, whose art is typically wondrous and who manages to tell really great, understanding stories about relationships and yet populate his world with unbelievable characters and visuals.

Also manages to tie into his Little Vampire books, although this is a more adult work and not appropriate for kids.

The art (especially the coloring) is exceptionally lovely. The creatures are interesting. The relationships between Ferdinand the Vampire and his various paramours were satisfying. Made me want to read more by this author, for sure.