I'm a big fan of Downton Abbey, a British drama series that details the lives of the people that live and work in the manor called Downton Abbey. With counting down the days (102 and counting!) until the premiere of Season 4, I thought I give a graphic novel parody of the show a try.
Description: While the Granville family dutifully entertain their guests at Devonton Abbey, an ace team of Secret Service agents camp out as unsuspecting household staff, protecting the Royal Crown and her citizens from impending world war.
Who is aware of the international intrigue concealed below stairs? Will Agent Gates save Britain from her enemies while ensuring Devonton Abbey’s reputation is upheld? Will Lady Margaret secure a proposal from Martin Crawhill, the heir to the estate? Will Thompson and O’Malley ever get lung cancer?
Review: Agent Gates tries to be a parody and a spy story, but doesn't quite succeed in both. I think readers who aren't aware of the series and don't really know anything about the characters might at a loss to see what all the hoopla is about. While the writers manage to make fun of the daily routine of the servants below the stairs and the histrionics of the upper-class, the spy story unfolds awkwardly in the middle of the book which doesn't really add to the graphic novel. As a result, I only chuckled a few times, especially when the Dowanger with an acid tongue and a stony glare appeared on the page, throughout the graphic novel but it got old fast.
The illustrations of the graphic novel were a bit inconsistent. Some of the characters mirror the actors in some of the panels but don't look anything recognizable in the next. Beyond tackling the major events of Season 1, Agent Gates is a parody in the same vein as the Scary Movies and reads like fan fiction rather than being something truly remarkable. Still I would recommend it if you need a laugh and a quick read.
Rating: 3 stars
Words of Caution: There is some minor language. Recommended for teens and adults who enjoy watching Downton Abbey.
If you like this book try: Hunger Pains by The Harvard Lampoon, Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin
Who is aware of the international intrigue concealed below stairs? Will Agent Gates save Britain from her enemies while ensuring Devonton Abbey’s reputation is upheld? Will Lady Margaret secure a proposal from Martin Crawhill, the heir to the estate? Will Thompson and O’Malley ever get lung cancer?
Review: Agent Gates tries to be a parody and a spy story, but doesn't quite succeed in both. I think readers who aren't aware of the series and don't really know anything about the characters might at a loss to see what all the hoopla is about. While the writers manage to make fun of the daily routine of the servants below the stairs and the histrionics of the upper-class, the spy story unfolds awkwardly in the middle of the book which doesn't really add to the graphic novel. As a result, I only chuckled a few times, especially when the Dowanger with an acid tongue and a stony glare appeared on the page, throughout the graphic novel but it got old fast.
The illustrations of the graphic novel were a bit inconsistent. Some of the characters mirror the actors in some of the panels but don't look anything recognizable in the next. Beyond tackling the major events of Season 1, Agent Gates is a parody in the same vein as the Scary Movies and reads like fan fiction rather than being something truly remarkable. Still I would recommend it if you need a laugh and a quick read.
Rating: 3 stars
Words of Caution: There is some minor language. Recommended for teens and adults who enjoy watching Downton Abbey.
If you like this book try: Hunger Pains by The Harvard Lampoon, Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin
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I haven't read very many graphic novels Rummanah, only 2, but I can imagine it would make for a confusing story if the illustrations are inconsistent. It took me a while to get through my first one because some of the characters looked alike so I couldn't figure out who was talking, so what you described above would likely be equally problematic for me! Hope your wait for Downton Abbey passes quickly:)
I'm like, the oddest person in town, but I've never watched an episode of Downton Abbey in my life, not because I didn't want to, but because I don't really watch TV if I can avoid it.
Still, I can see how a fan would be drawn to this. It's too bad that the illustrations were inconsistent, it sounds like fun otherwise.
This looks super cute even if it's not perfect. I actually cheated and watched the first episode of season 4 already. It was good. Nothing shocking but a good standard Downton Abbey episode.