Ralhp Azham is a duck blued by the double moon and, like all these unique people, he then receives magical powers. In previous volumes, Ralph became superintendent of Astolia. However, in this fourth volume of the second period, he is more than ever in conflict with the prefect Poltosian and the High Priests. How will he manage to stay in power? This book has been published since April 4 by Dupuis.
Fantastic animals…
Raph Azham is a heroic fantasy tale with medieval landscapes, monsters and magic. This eleventh volume continues the adventure with a religious conflict, an unlikely alliance and a very successful coup de théâtre at the end of the volume. The Chosen One is looking for an external ally to resolve his conflict with the High Priests. He hates this religion that poisons his life. This element resonates strongly with the contemporary world. All this takes place in an animal story where animals behave like humans – Ralph is a duck.
… but completely offbeat…
Lewis Trondheim tells a story of heroic fantasy but without respecting the codes. The writer and cartoonist mixes Game of Thrones and Friends because, behind the adventure story, there is a hilarious humorous tale. Every action Ralph takes, goes wrong and triggers a smile in the reader. Ralph is the city's elected official and superintendent, but most residents don't care or despise him. It is even strictly unknown in a village. Ralph is an ordinary man who lives extraordinary adventures. But that doesn't change anything for him. He remains a duck like any other with ideas and a banal vocabulary. He never tries to present himself as a hero. He is the funniest character in the book because he embodies the gap between the epic medieval setting and its modern and vulgar lyrics. We are not at Shakespeare's. He is an antihero who has recurring family problems. Ralph always seems to miss everything and is not up to par. He is the loser of the village who becomes the boss without changing anything. He is arguably the worst person to lead. Selfish, undiplomatic, he decides by jokes or by getting angry. Not at all interested in power, he's just trying to survive. No doubt painful for his advisors, the reader takes a lot of pleasure in it.
… In a strange world
Astolia is a medieval city but Trondheim does not hesitate to multiply anachronisms by dialogues but also very Renaissance outfits and even almost republican guards. We have the impression of being immersed in a B movie that recovers in reserve all the costumes even the most improbable. All this is in a classic layout with a simple drawing and beautiful digital colors. Everything is frighteningly effective and reinforces the humor of the story. In each box, there is an economy of traits but this amplifies the dynamism of the reading.
Dupuis offers us a superb volume that continues a hilarious saga. Ralph Azham, already sold at 120,000 is undoubtedly the funniest current series.
