Unfortunately I didn't really find this very exciting. I got to the end but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone in particular as I've read plenty of stories that I've found more exciting in this genre. The artist can clearly illustrate a thousand times better than I can, but I felt it was all a little plain compared to other things I've read.

This is about a gentlemen who works for a spy organization connected with the Vatican. The cold open was very good. The second half of the book was all exposition for volume 2 and it was really boring. This book also had the same problem that a lot of comics from <i>Europe Comics</i> do, the lettering is tiny and almost unreadable. I had to use guided view to blow up the lettering enough to read it which I hate to do. I'm a traditionalist who believes comic pages should be taken in as a whole first, that the panel layout itself is part of the art.

I can see how this one would appeal to fans of The Davinci code and conspiracy theorists about the evils of the Vatican and the Holy See etc. As it is, it is a fairly dull introduction to something that only hints at potential. I believe a supernatural element will be introduced in the next volume, but as it stands, it's a LOT of chitchat about old relics and old priests, so there's not much here to grab most audiences.

'The Keeper, Vol. 1: The Angel of Malta' by Yves Sente with illustrations by Francois Boucq is an appealing premise, but never really feels like it gets off the ground in this volume.

The story starts with a young man named Vince helping out with a clandestine purchase. Things go a little sideways and we see that he has the kind of calm and skills to get him noticed by the Vatican. They want him for a special job and offer him a promotion.

While the first half of the book up to the promotion is not bad, the latter half just gets muddled. The font is weird to read and there is a lot of text. I realize it's setting things up for a story arc, but it lost my interest. The art isn't bad, but that font was just not reader friendly.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Cheesy and yawnsome are the words that come to mind in looking at this naffest of thrillers. It's all yack yack yack as our tough guy looks after an old codger buying a rare historical document in Malta, shags Lufthansa flight crew, and manages to tip a bus on its side just with the help of one single, standard kerb. Hmmm… We then learn he's actually employed by the Vatican, but rather than get to the lows of Dan Brown this book just wants to waffle on about his promotion. There are five books in this series, and you'd have to hope one of them turned out well. This didn't. Oh, and the font's execrable.

"The Keeper" is a pretty standard hard-boiled crime thriller of a graphic novel. There is nothing all that new here, but it was an enjoyable read.

Not a great one for me. This is about an agent of the Vatican whose job is shrouded in secrecy and intrigue. I had an arc from Netgalley but the story was just not that interesting to me unfortunately. This is book one and I guess it is setting the scene for the rest of the series and this might explain why I couldn't get into it. It started off with a bang with an art deal, a chase and a mystical messenger but then the story fizzled out for me. Others might like it though. Just not one for me.

Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

A good concept for a graphic novel. Vatican secret agendas, political conspiracies and global terrorism.
Fathar Vince isn't all he seems to be; trouble is he has an intriguing back story he is even unaware of. For now he is a bodyguard sort of dude with dark arts and a secret agent lifestyle.
More 007 than Father Ted.
His talents and impressive results have led him to be selected for a more elite, secretive role as one of only 12 'employed' keepers.
Being the first in the series; it sets out the story and strands well without giving only enticing hints on the intrigue and combative forces at odds; masking and blurring issues like good or bad, righteous and evil. No obvious pantomine villians just shady meetings and action packed set pieces.
The early mission to Malta is a hectic and thrilling encounter of the Catholic Church engaged in something its members wouldn't universally accept, but this is the world Vince is moving in.
As a Keeper this is his story and one I'm hooked on following. He is credible, warm and holding a moral compass but from the evidence shared also human, trouble by his past and not fully a celibrate Priest.
Great support to the story with well penned illustration, especially in the chase scenes and where historic locations are depicted. Also despite the links with Rome there is also a sensuality in the drawings which promise more passionate encounters and life's less spirual pleasures.