Welcome to the Jungle by Jim Butcher Series: The Dresden Files Graphic Novels #0.5
Published by Dabel Brothers on August 18, 2009
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 160
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
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When the supernatural world spins out of control, when the police can’t handle what goes bump in the night, when monsters come screaming out of nightmares and into the mean streets, there’s just one man to call: Harry Dresden, the only professional wizard in the Chicago phone book. A police consultant and private investigator, Dresden has to walk the dangerous line between the world of night and the light of day.
Now Harry Dresden is investigating a brutal mauling at the Lincoln Park Zoo that has left a security guard dead and many questions unanswered. As an investigator of the supernatural, he senses that there’s more to this case than a simple animal attack, and as Dresden searches for clues to figure out who is really behind the crime, he finds himself next on the victim list, and being hunted by creatures that won’t leave much more than a stain if they catch him.
Written exclusively for comics by Jim Butcher, The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle is a brand-new story that’s sure to enchant readers with a blend of gripping mystery and fantastic adventure.
This graphic novel is a prequel to The Dresden File series. It is set just before the events of Storm Front, book one. Here, Harry is called in to help CPD Sergeant Murphy investigate a strange murder at the zoo. It appears that gorilla killed a man, but the gorilla is in its enclosure. What gorilla will lock itself back into an enclosure after killing a man? It just doesn’t make sense.
This was a fun story. I always love to see Harry Dresden in action. In addition, we get some time with Murphy and Carmichael. Oh and I can’t forget Bob, the Skull and Mister, the cat. There’s also a really sweet girl zoo keeper who goes by Will, because she doesn’t want to go my Willamena.
I don’t want to go too much more into the story, because I don’t want to give anything away. However, I can talk about the artwork, which is very well done. It has dark drawings that fit well with The Dresden Files series. According to the Forward, written by Butcher, the characters are pretty much what he sees in his head when he writes. He also includes a bit about the process of writing for a comic versus a novel, which I found very interesting.
The one thing I thought was really funny (and I’ve never noticed with previous graphic novels, or if I did that with others, I didn’t notice it at the time), I read the pages with James Marsters in my head. He is just Harry Dresden for me.
The next book is Storm Front in graphic novel. I might grab that too, but I’m not sure when. I do enjoy comics as a general rule, but most of what I’ve read are from authors that I’ve read as novels (Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs and Laurell K Hamilton), but I’ve also read Jennifer Jones Alias and one of the many Deadpool books. I want to get more into the Marvel Universe that I love so much. Maybe even try some DC Comics too.
See some examples of the artwork below. Click on the images to see a larger version.
About Jim Butcher
Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be found in his home town of Independence, Missouri.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
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I started listening to audiobooks when a new book in a series was coming out and I wanted to get a refresher, but didn’t have time to read all the books (I think it was Anita Blake). I fell in love. I stayed with strictly re-reading books that I’d already read for a long time. I eventually tried an audiobook for something that I hadn’t read first and was hooked there too. Now, I listen to audio for both re-reads and first time. I have some series that I’ve given up reading and only listen. I try to get any many books/audiobooks from the library to help save on my budget. Books on CD and the newer digital downloads from the library really allow me to listen more. I then purchase my favorites (because who can wait in line for your favorite book??) and less mainstream books from Audible or some other online retailer.
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I’ve been looking for some new graphic novels to read. My son would like this too. And I’ve been meaning to read his series also.
I started my venture into Graphic Novels with Anita Blake and Mercy Thompson. I’ve now ventured into the more typical comic realms with Jessica Jones and Deadpool. I need to get back into those universes at some point too.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I only tried the first novel in this series but everyone is saying that it’s better after so one day I’ll have to try again
Try the audiobooks, James Marsters, Spike from the Buffy TV show, really nails the narration.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Jim Marsters is my Harry, too. I’ll never be able to get him out of my head. Great review, Melanie?
I think this was my first time reading Harry myself. Everything else has been audiobooks.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I enjoy the graphic novels in worlds of series I already read, but haven’t stepped out to try ones that are all new. Neat extras of the author’s intro and the great graphics. Fun how the audio narrator is the voice. I have a few series like that, too.
I started off with just books I’ve read, Anita Blake, Mercy Thompson, The Hollows by Kim Harrison and Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong. I then added in some that I enjoyed on the large and small screens, Jessica Jones and Deadpool.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I’ve never read a graphic novel but this story and the other reviews I’ve read of this series sound really good.
I’ve really enjoyed the ones I’ve read. I started with characters I’ve already known from books, movies and TV.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Awesome! I would love to take a look someday. Wasn’t this one in audiobook/print form in an anthology? Or am I confused?
I don’t think so. There was a story at the zoo, but it was with type person. And is the most recent story set in the world. Where this is before Storm Front.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
No, I’m thinking of a story not in this most recent anthology – it was set before STORM FRONT, but it was on a bridge or something. I think it was the first time Dresden meets Karen. I sort of remember it, but not very much. haha.
I still don’t think this is the same story you’re thinking about. I can’t seem to find this story anywhere but as the graphic novel. There’s a few others that also seem to only be available in graphic novel format. I’m going to have to check those out too.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I love Harry Dresden and I’m sure I’d enjoy this. I haven’t ventured into graphic novels much. Thanks for sharing Melanie!
I haven’t done much, but I’ve enjoyed on graphic novel only stores from Mercy Thompson and Anita Blake. And Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong. I then added in some Marvel Universe stuff. I think it helps that I already knew the characters.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Oh I need to get my hands on this! I’ve only read the first 3 Dresden books but I love them and this sounds like so much fun – and something I could enjoy even though I’m not caught up with the series.
You can totally read this without being caught up with the series. I glad to hear you’re enjoying the series. It is so much fun.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
So cool! I am almost done the Dresden Files on Audio..listening to the second from last now.
Then you’ll be like all the rest of us who are just waiting and waiting for the next book to come out. I haven’t heard when that might be. I hope it isn’t too much longer.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Never tried them, sigh. Dunno why
Haven’t you read manga? I thought I remembered seeing a review for one on your blog. These are very similar.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Okay I had no clue they were making graphic novels for this series, how fun!
These graphic novels are fairly old. There are a couple of the stories that are only available as graphic novels. They also converted the first two books.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
This sounds like an interesting graphic novel and the zoo setting sounds fun. Willamena is a long name, I can see why she goes by Will. The artwork looks great in the pictures you shared. I think with comics and graphic novels the artwork can really add to the story when it’s well done.
I agree that artwork can make or break a comic/manga.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I’ve never read a graphic novel, but I do love the cover to this one!
I’ve only read graphic novels on characters I already knew, either from novels like this one, or TV shows and movies, like Deadpool and Jessica Jones.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart