Member Reviews
3.5/5
This first installment has immediately intrigued me. I really like the premise is really interesting and I enjoyed the art style as well.
It was a good set up for this comic and I'd definitely be interested in continuing and seeing where it goes.
An interesting story and work of scifi horror. Unfortunately, a lot of that was lost due to the style of the panels being difficult to follow and a bit overwhelming at times.
Blink by Christopher Sebela, Nick Filardi, and Hayden Sherman (Illustrations)
Publication date: May 16, 2023
Date read: March 25, 2023
Wren Booker was three when she was found alone and covered in blood on the streets of New York. Since that day, she’s been haunted by the childhood she can't remember…until decades later when she finds a cryptic website streaming multiple CCT feeds from strange rooms in a ruined building. Something clicks, setting off hidden memories that lead her back to a place she’s seen in lifelong nightmares. Hunting for answers, Wren breaks in and finds herself lost in the camera-filled dark mazes of a decayed social experiment known only as BLINK...which she quickly discovers is not abandoned at all.
I was intrigued by this comic, mostly because of the cover artwork, so I decided to give it a shot.
First, the negative: this storyline was confusing! A downside of science fiction can often be a convoluted, confusing plot, which is what this comic suffered from. The idea behind it was intriguing, and the story was actually super creepy in a lot of places, which was great - but the story as a whole was just too hard to follow. Add in a lot of dark pages (atmospheric, sure, but sometimes hard to tell what's going on), and it just didn't work for me. [Example - it took me until page 83 to realize that Wren was female. Oops.]
The positive: The art was really fascinating. Non-traditional formatting on a lot of pages, and just really cool imagery throughout. A comic book can live or die based on the art, and I thought this art was great. I would definitely seek out these artists in the future. And I did really like the idea behind the story, so I might even read more by Sebela, even though this specific story didn't work for me.
Overall, I felt that this was a big shot by these creators and that it just didn't quite make it. The artwork was amazing, though, so if you're open to a bit of weird sci-fi in your comics, it's a quick read and could be worth checking out.
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Content warning: night terrors, death of parents, blood, graphic violence, body horror
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
I don't usually go for graphic novels, but this cover art and plot seemed too good to pass up. I ultimately found this to be a little confusing and unclear, though I'm not sure if my lack of graphic novel experience led to this. The premise was entertaining, but between the transitions and overall development of the story, I found myself disengaging. I was intrigued and found the experience enjoyable, but getting through this was more difficult than I would have liked.
DNF at 50%.
I tried several times to pick this up and power through but I just couldn’t bring myself to finish. It had such an interesting plot but somewhere it just lost me.
I’m thankful to NetGalley and to the publishers for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest review.
a psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of modern life and human connections in a unique narrative structure. The story revolves around the concept of being a "digital ghost" in a world where personal lives are intricately tied to the digital sphere. The novel explores themes of identity, surveillance, and the human psyche through its characters who navigate through a society that is increasingly losing touch with reality due to the pervasive influence of technology. As they interact with the digital world, they must confront and reconcile their true selves with the identities they project online. It's a compelling read for those interested in psychological dramas and the impact of technology on human behavior.
“Blink” by Christopher Sebela with illustrations by Hayden Sherman is a psychological thriller graphic novel set in a dystopian warehouse.
Wren is haunted by dreams of her childhood to the point of obsession. When she finds clues online to a streaming event called Blink that leads her to a creepy house, she has to investigate. The house is bigger on the inside with no apparent way out. Sometimes those dreams of the past should stay buried.
It is interesting visual storytelling that didn’t work so well on a digital device, so panels that spanned pages left story flow wanting. So did the oddly shaped panels themselves. In spite of this, it was an interesting premise that fails at a rushed ending and I’d hoped for more horror content with such a ghoulish premise.
A solid introduction! The premise is intriguing, and I'm really excited to explore the next volumes and watch this story unfold. I'm particularly curious to see how the horror elements tie into the narrative.
With its unique blend of horror, mystery, and psychological exploration, "Blink" promises to be a chilling and thought-provoking read that delves into the darkest corners of memory and obsession.
I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!
BLINK is a book I chose based on its stunning cover. Despite how late I am with this review, I still think the cover is amazing and would most likely draw me into it again. Unfortunately, my interest peaks at the cover.
I attempted to read this book multiple times but never got past more than a couple pages without getting bored. Finally, I've been able to finish it. I ended up finding it was fine but not something I'm interested in continuing. I just couldn't get into the story and found the main character to be annoying. I just can't do a whole comic series focused around him.
I was given a free copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story has some creepy vibes and some Descent-level spelunking horror while there are some interesting experimentation with the visual medium of graphic novels. The ambiguity of the plot, though, means the story could use more bite.
"Blink" by Christofer Sebela, a graphic novel billed as a horror collaboration with an Eisner-nominated author and a talented artistic team, holds a promising premise but falls short of delivering a satisfying narrative. It seems to split readers into two camps, one that appreciates its concept and visuals, and the other that struggles to engage with its execution.
The story follows Wren Booker, a woman haunted by fragmented memories from her childhood. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a mysterious website streaming footage from a decaying building, which serves as a catalyst for her quest to unravel her past. However, as the story unfolds, it takes a convoluted and often confusing path, leading to a significant loss of engagement.
One of the standout elements of "Blink" is its art. The graphic novel is visually stunning, and the artistic team, including Hayden Sherman and Nick Filardi, excels in creating a dark and visually striking world. The creative paneling is distinctive and captivating, offering an aesthetic that draws readers in, even when the story's narrative becomes less clear.
The heart of the plot revolves around themes of surveillance, cryptic websites, and social cyber experiments, which promise a fascinating and immersive experience. However, the exploration of these themes remains somewhat shallow, leaving many questions unanswered and the story lacking depth. The book relies on creating a sense of dread associated with surveillance and social experimentation, but this often comes at the expense of plot clarity and character development.
Characterization in "Blink" is a significant issue. Wren Booker's relentless pursuit of answers drives the narrative, but her character remains somewhat one-dimensional, making it challenging for readers to form a deep connection with her. The supporting characters receive even less attention, leaving untapped potential for meaningful connections and emotional engagement.
While the concept of "Blink" holds promise, it feels more like a foundation for an art project than a fully fleshed-out story. The striking visuals and unique premise may appeal to some readers, but those seeking a well-rounded narrative with coherent world-building and character development may find themselves wanting more.
One reviewer noted the overdone ideas and the lack of a compelling character arc for Wren, the protagonist. While the found footage sub-genre is more commonly associated with movies than with books or graphic novels, the familiarity of the concept may leave readers anticipating plot developments and twists, diminishing the element of surprise.
In the end, "Blink" leaves readers divided. While some appreciate its artistic beauty and intriguing concept, others find it lacking in narrative clarity and character development. It's a graphic novel that promises much but ultimately falls short of delivering a wholly satisfying and immersive horror experience.
Another graphic novel that had beautiful art, creating a interesting and crazy story. The horror was absolutely excellent!
I wasn't too sure about this one. Nothing wrong with it, I just didn't really gel with it leaving with me giving it a 2 star rating.
Absolutely loved the art in this, and the story was captivating throughout! I love a good graphic horror and this was such a cool piece!
I really liked the art in this graphic novel, but unfortunately I was unable to finish the whole book before the license expired on net galley, but that is on me. I will have to pick it up at the store to finish it because what I read, I really enjoyed
Blink was super interesting, with a cool story and amazing art. I took my time enjoying the creative panels. The characters needed more depth, and the exciting part felt a bit rushed. This story has a lot more to offer, and it would be awesome if it became a longer series. There's a lot of potential for cool horror and suspense. Hopefully, they'll make more to explore that!"
This read is truly trippy and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Thank you NetGalley and Onipress for giving me the opportunity to read this.
This just wasn't for me. I thought I was in my cool graphic novel ere, but sadly no. I didn't really like the art style and the story wasn't enough to keep me entertained. So sad though but I had to dnf (did not finish) it.