Karmen #1

Writer: Guillem March Artist: Guillem March Publisher: Image Comics Release Date: March 10, 2021 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 17 User Reviews: 13
8.1Critic Rating
7.7User Rating

Spanish writer and artist GUILLEM MARCH is best known for his ongoing, extensive work with DC Comics on Batman, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn and has worked as an artist on several graphic novels including the English editions of Monika with Titan Comics and The Dream with Europe Comics. Here, he takes up his pen for an edgy new FIVE-PART SERIES about a highly unconventional angel named Karmen and the young woman she takes under her wing when a case of heartbreak strikes hard. Packed with surprises and metaphysics, this gorgeously drawn series deploys tenderness and humor as it dives deep into topics that matter.

  • 10
    DC Comics News - Kendra Hale May 7, 2021

    Every once in a while, more and more often for me it seems, a series comes along that not only makes us think, but feel. Karmen dealing with metaphysics and giving a glimpse behind the veil of what happens in the beyond, with the wit and humor to boot, will be entirely delicious to watch unfold. I cannot wait for what is next. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comic Crusaders - Johnny "The Machine" Hughes Feb 22, 2021

    Written & Art by; Guillem MarchColors by; Guillem March & Tony LpezPublished by; Image Comics via Europe Comics Read Full Review

  • 10
    COMICON - Olly MacNamee Feb 22, 2021

    Guillem March may well be know outside of Europe for his work on Batman, but wait until you get a load of 'Karmen' Part 1 from Image Comics. A truly masterful art book posing as a comic book from a talent who mixes the details of Moebius with the sensuality of Milo Manara. Read Full Review

  • 9.2
    Geek'd Out - Michael Farris Jr. Mar 10, 2021

    Karmen evokes the perfect mixture of child-like playfulness and bittersweet darkness la Guillermo del Toro and Image's Ice Cream Man. Fantastical artwork and complicated leads make this worth being a part of your universe. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    You Don't Read Comics - Russ Bickerstaff Mar 10, 2021

    The opening chapter of the series doesn't have a great deal going on concerning the plot. Despite this, March manages to do a great deal more with a simple meeting between spirit and entity than most superhero comics manage in far more eventful issues. March makes a profound impact in less than 36 pages with a title character who remains an appealing mystery at issue's end. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Big Comic Page - Adam Brown Mar 2, 2021

    Putting all of this together we have a strikingly beautiful and powerfully poignant piece. Hints at the larger story in play work their way into the closing pages of this large issue. With Catalina undergoing changes and the appearance of Karmens associates, Im definitely up for more. Read Full Review

  • 8.6
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Cat Wyatt Mar 10, 2021

    Karmen #1 is a dark yet captivating beginning to this miniseries. One that feels wholly human " as well as something entirely other. Here we see an angel of death, yet she is nothing like we might have imagined. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Comic Watch - Bailey Simone Mar 6, 2021

    Every time you think you know what Karmen #1 is, Guillem March subverts your expectations, and then does it again. Absolutely worth the read. Read Full Review

  • 8.3
    Sequential Planet - Marcus Orchard Feb 16, 2021

    Karmen #1 is a funny, touching debut that does a lot of stuff that we don't usually see in comic books. There isn't anything like it, and I look forward to seeing where the series goes from here. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Black Nerd Problems - Mikkel Snyder Mar 10, 2021

    Page per page, I think there are just as many instances that I am floored by March's work as I am confused by a particular decision. Karmen covers a lot of interesting space, but I'm also very confounded by where everything's supposed to head since there is a wide variance in tone. One moment, it is somber and philosophical and then the next there's a fart joke. It's a dynamic book and if you're able to approach stories about suicide, I think there is something interesting to uncover, but it may take some time to fully parse. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Major Spoilers - Robot Overlord Mar 14, 2021

    Karmen #1 is difficult to describe, but is an entertaining read nonetheless. Karmen as a character is delightfully bonkers, turning Catalina's situation into the blackest of black comedies, but also showing the kindest of reactions to her situation. This is a series to watch. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Kabooooom - Matt Morrison Mar 6, 2021

    I'm not quite sure what to make of Karmen after a single issue. Like a dream, its purpose and meaning elude me. But also like a dream, I find myself having enjoyed the sensation, even as I struggle with the details and trying to describe it. Perhaps, like a dream, it cannot truly be shared, but must be experienced? If that is the case, I encourage you all to experience this dream. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBook.com - Megan Peters Mar 10, 2021

    Karmen sets forward with an ambitious first issue that bears its cards in gorgeous fashion. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    AIPT - Sam Rutzick Mar 9, 2021

    An artistic masterpiece, which is unfortunately boring, exploitative, and sexist. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Multiversity Comics - Quinn Tassin Mar 15, 2021

    "Karmen" #1 should be admired for its boldness and its gorgeous art but leaves a fair bit to be desired in its substance. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Graphic Policy - Logan Dalton Mar 10, 2021

    Karmen #1 demonstrates that Guillem March is a technically skilled artist with an eye for page and character design, but is a below-average artist that can go from Philosophy 101 mumbo jumbo to utter filth in the space of a couple of pages. Karmen #1 is a low-key fantasy story like Ghost or It's A Wonderful Life, which is cute, but I didn't connect to the protagonist at all and felt like I knew more about her body than her personality or why she was in the bathtub that night. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    But Why Tho? - Charles Hartford Mar 10, 2021

    When all is said and done, Karmen #1 is difficult to rate. It could be the beginning of something unique and wondrous, or not. With so little given about where this story plans to go, it is extremely hard to say how well this book starts that narrative. As it is, it has some great art, and a beginning, unlike anything I've read before. Read Full Review

  • 10
    HallowsEveCat May 12, 2021

    Wow. The art is amazing and great quirky morbid story.

  • 9.0
    Echo Apr 24, 2021

    Love the art and love the light-hearted way Karmen treats such a typically sad fact of life...not light-hearted, but, like death isn’t something to fear so much. I love how some sketches are included-Confession time-I love comic books maybe more for the art than the stories-and Karmen does not disappoint me.

  • 9.0
    TGttgg Mar 10, 2021

    Pretty solid first issue. The skeleton Reaper Girl named Karmen takes a young woman named Catalina on a journey through self reflection of suicide after a heartbreaking break up. Karmen is an eccentric and playful reaper with a very unique skeleton body and pink hair design,a guardian of Cata(short for Catalina)who often likes to play jokes on Catalina .Sometimes the dialogue is confusing ,but overall very solid first issue and very beautiful art!I think it's unfair to give this issue a 4 or a 6.

  • 6.0
    the_comic_book_club Mar 14, 2021

    Karmen
    Issue: 1

    Publisher: Image Comics @imagecomics
    Story & Art: Guillem March @guillem_march

    As a young girl, Catalina greatly cherished her friendship with Xisco. As the years move forward, that relationship maintains but as things do, the two seemingly drift apart as time moves on. Now a young woman, Catalina tragically takes her life. As she leaves the physical world behind, her consciousness is greeted by Karmen, essentially her spiritual guide into the afterworld. Swimming naked through the physical world unseen, Catalina learns that she’s been training for this moment her entire life.

    This is a very deep book and I’m sure there is much more going on. The artistry of creator Guillem Marc more

  • 4.0
    BronzeAgeHuman Mar 16, 2021

    This is what Death: The High Cost of Living might have been if Gaiman had been more excited to write about farts than to develop interesting characters or concepts. The art was good, the writing was kinda awkward, and the world building was thin. It was ok.

  • 9.5
    ComicRelief Mar 14, 2021

  • 9.0
    ed1138 Jan 14, 2022

  • 9.0
    WillOetg1 May 25, 2021

  • 8.0
    Phil B. Mar 15, 2021

  • 8.0
    Skull Fracture Mar 12, 2021

  • 7.5
    valyriadoomed Apr 15, 2021

  • 5.5
    Silver Rocket Mar 23, 2021

  • 5.0
    pizzamain Jun 7, 2021

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