Royal City #1
| Writer | Jeff Lemire |
| Artist | Jeff Lemire |
| Cover Price | $4.99 |
DOUBLE-SIZED DEBUT ISSUE! NEW ONGOING SERIES written and illustrated by JEFF LEMIRE (DESCENDER, A.D., Sweet Tooth). ROYAL CITY charts the lives, loves, and losses of a troubled family and a vanishing town across three decades. Patrick Pike, a fading literary star who reluctantly returns to the once-thriving factory town where he grew up, is quickly drawn back into the dramas of his two adult siblings, his overbearing mother, and his brow-beaten father, all of whom are still haunted by different versions of his youngest brother, Tommy, who drowned decades ago. ROYAL CITY is a return to the literary and thematic territory of LEMIRE's breakthrou more
CRITIC REVIEWS
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10
Comics: The Gathering - stephengervais
Mar 01, 2017This was an excellent story. I didn't know what to expect, but I should have known when I saw that this was a Jeff Lemire book. Lemire is a master storyteller and is may just be the best person in comics for putting together an engaging page turning story. Lemire's art style can be a little jarring at first, but it works for his stories. It's unique and instantly recognizable as Lemire. This is a great book with a beautifully constructed story. Don't you dare miss it! 10/10 Read Full Review
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10
All-Comic - Jessica Petrecz
Mar 02, 2017This is a ballsy book from Lemire. It is a sleeper hit that many could overlook on the comic shelves. There are no iconic super heroes or crazy sci-fi premises to draw in readers, just the name. Please, let that be enough. Trust Lemire enough to know that he can produce a story that will surprise and delight you. You have to give it to Jeff Lemire, the man never stops. This creator has had success with comics like Essex County, Black Hammer, Descender, and even does big superhero titles for DC and Marvel like Moon Knight and Green Arrow. This is a passion project, which is saying something because of all his time in this business he still has passion for what he does and can step out of his comfort zone is refreshing. Read this book, and do yourself a favor and read until the very last page. Lemire includes a few extras in the last few pages which includes a personal essay that really is a cherry on top of this sundae of a comic. Read Full Review
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10
Pop Culture Uncovered - Chad Rice
Mar 02, 2017If you love comics, you should be reading this book. If you love television, you should be reading this book. Its only March and I think this will be the book of 2017. Also, the book has an awesome Spotify playlist. Just saying. Read Full Review
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10
ComicWow!TV - Huck Talwar
Mar 07, 2017This series is all Lemire's. He controls it all, and is able to do whatever he wants, creatively, to give us a work of art that is truly his own. Aside from his work on Hawkeye, X-Men, Wolverine, and Moon Knight, Lemire is showing us a lot of talent here. This is a really enthralling issue that is bound to get your attention and never let it go. For your own good, visit your local comic book shop and give this a read. Read Full Review
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10
Pastrami Nation - Nolan Smith
Mar 13, 2017Royal City isnt a beat em up superhero battle, or a space faring sci-fi adventure. Its the story of a family torn apart by tragedy, and how another tragedy is bringing them together once more, whether its for better or worse. Royal City should be on your must read list, if even to give the first issue a shot. After this book, you will no doubt be hooked. Read Full Review
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9.2
Comicsverse - Alex Bisignaro
Mar 02, 2017ROYAL CITY #1 by Jeff Lemire is a heavy start to what's hopefully going to be a long and prosperous series. This issue focuses heavily on characterizing the Pike family, and the art Lemire produces alongside his fantastic dialogue is raw and emotional. Definitely give this series a shot. Read Full Review
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9.2
Multiversity Comics - Matt Lune
Mar 02, 2017An intimate and affecting character study showcasing Jeff Lemire at his finest. Read Full Review
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9.0
AIPT - David Brooke
Feb 28, 2017Viola Davis' now famous speech from the 2017 Oscars stated, "I became an artist and thank God I did because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life." Jeff Lemire's Royal City is exemplary of this celebration of life and by the end of this issue you'll be wagering all of these characters are real. Read Full Review
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9.0
IGN - Jeff Lake
Mar 02, 2017Complex, personal, and double sized to boot, this is an excellent start to a promising series. Read Full Review
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9.0
Weird Science - Jim Werner
Mar 04, 2017Royal City gives a lot for a first issue. Some amazing characterization and emotional story telling told in such a small time makes it easy to become quickly attached. The only problem is I could see it not being for everyone and could possibly be seen as divisive. In a medium that is usually filled with genre work something a little more realistic can easily be seen boring. Though, I contest it is so much more. Read Full Review
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9.0
Doom Rocket - Courtney Ryan
Mar 07, 2017Royal City #1 is a promising opening to a series that seems set to develop the very real burdens of trauma. Read Full Review
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8.0
Comic Bastards - Jonathan Edwards
Mar 01, 2017If it isn't already obvious, let me be frank. I'm on board with this series, and it would take some substantial missteps to change my mind. As far as recommendations go, I'd say this is just worth checking out. I'm sure there'll be people who don't dig it, but this is shaping up to be a substantial story that I think you'd be remiss to not at least give a shot. Read Full Review
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8.0
Spartantown - Enrique Rea
Mar 01, 2017'Royal City' is great storytelling with nary a cape, a gun, or a monster in sight. It stands all on its own even if didn't offer mild subtle fantasy elements. Admittedly, it won't be for everyone. It's a serious immersion in the lives of these characters and you'll become invested if you want to but not everyone will appreciate a passionate piece of work like this. 'Royal City' is the class of comic book storytelling. Read Full Review
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6.0
ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett
Mar 03, 2017This is a comic that addresses the ghosts of our lives in a somewhat literal fashion. The various appearances of one character establish what is happening to readers before the final page states the obvious, and this is to increase the effect of realization. Whether it as metaphor or literal haunting, the presentation of one family member is incredibly effective. It is the exploration of this idea, just established as a visual concept here, that will raise Royal City or fail it by not fulfilling its promise. In either case, Lemire is engaged with the work at hand and is trying to rediscover the spirit of previous work like Essex County. Royal City #1 is a mixed bag of elements that land or fail to, but it has potential to rise above the latter. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS
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10
Wow. Everyone, buy this book! Jeff Lemire in his prime, both as an artist and writer.
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10
Jeff Lemire is soon becoming one of my favourite artists and writers. I love Black Hammer, Descender, and After Death AD. The worlds he creates are so emotionally resonant and I find myself surprised by how quickly I care about the characters and how the story develops. So wow, this double issue is perfect and sets up a whole cast and an absorbing atmosphere. This is going straight onto my pull list with confidence. The expressions on the characters faces and the clever sketchy style are so satisfying and so what comics do so well, communicate! Love it !!
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10
Honestly this book has really had such a big impact on my overall view of storytelling and creativity, Highly recommend this book and have such high expectations set for this series.
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9.5
This was a great first issue. I wondered what was up with Tommy (the Tommys?), but Lemire answers with a very cool final page reveal. This and the letter by a character at the end of the book made me go "Oh, yeah" and made the framing and narration of the comic seem all the more cool. The art is great, of course, with the same kind of watercolour-y style Lemire is using on "A.D. After Death." Looking forward to more of this series.
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9.5
A comic book for any reader! The struggle is real when the death of a son and brother happens in this family. Here is our video of this book. https://youtu.be/ElKPbc801IQ
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8.5
It's very difficult to sum up this book, even with Lemire's essay at the back, I'm not really sure what this series is supposed to be. I had to read it closely to figure out who the characters are, but when the end comes it becomes clear why I was getting confused and it suddenly all makes sense. Well, kind of. Like I said, it is difficult to say what this book is and where it is going. I'll have to read more before I could hope to give an elevator pitch for this or recommend whether to pursue or skip it.
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8.5
Dunno what to expect from the series from this first issue but i have faith in Lemire
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5.0
Writing is good. Art is bland
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