Copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, a little underwhelming. I picked this up because Rasputin has always been a mysterious figure in history that I wanted to read about, and this graphic novel centers around his execution. While that portion of the novel was well done, I think there were a lot of parts especially in the beginning that felt unnecessary. There was a love interest of some sort for Cleary, and there was his dilemma about the assassination. During those parts, I was just itching to get into the action. I think if this had been in the point of view of Felix Yusupov perhaps, I would have enjoyed a lot more. I do think the author did a good job with portraying the last days of the Romanov rule and the start of the revolution though, so props to that. The art was underwhelming too. Although I did like it, there were just too many similarities in looks among the main characters that I got confused a few times.

I first read the initial release of Petrograd in 2012. I enjoyed it then and the addition of scholarly commentary at the beginning expands the historical use of the title.

4.5 "fascinating, entertaining, speculative" stars !!

Thank you to Netgalley, Oni Press, the author and illustrator for providing me with an e-copy of this comic book novel. I am providing my honest review. This was originally published in August 2011 and is being re-released in January 2022.

This is such an engaging and interesting reading experience that would be considered speculative fiction around the year 1916 in Petrograd, Russia and the assassination on Rasputin (debauched cleric and mystic advisor to the Tsarina Alexandra). The book provides intrigue, romance and a plausible sequence of events of what may have led to the demise of Rasputin. We have double and triple crossing European Agents, bisexual cross-dressing dukes, a female Bolshevik instigator and an English spy who is both timid and is suffering from identity crises. The backdrop is cold suffering Petrograd and the last years of the Russian aristocracy that distrusts the small middle class and starves the factory workers and peasants.

The dialogue and plot keep you on your toes and over time the reader understands how all these plots and intrigues fit together in this particular era in Russia and the larger European continent.
The illustrations are both vivid and sombre as well as very expressive done in white, black and shades of sepia.

This was a terrific way to spend a warmish October day !

In 1916, in the midst of the First World War, the Russian city of Petrograd stands on the brink of revolution while Russia secretly attempts to broker peace with Germany. One of the most incendiary people in this powderkeg is alleged holy man Rasputin, the “mad monk”, trusted advisor to the Tsarina, and, as the official history dubs him, Russia’s greatest love-machine. Already the subject of gossip in the trenches and city streets, the Tsarina puts more and more faith in Rasputin’s advice. Eventually outstaying his welcome, the major players of the day plot to dispose of him in one of the most “extra” assassinations in history. “Petrograd” is the story of how a British intelligence agent gets caught up in these turbulent events.
Tyler Crook’s artwork in “Petrograd” is quite stunning. It appears simplistic at first glance, but on closer inspection it blows you away. Some panels are filled with quiet emotion and depth, while others burst with kinetic action. Each one almost tells a story in its own right. The shape and positioning of the frames on each page is a masterclass in visual storytelling. The horrors of the Western Front and the faded grandeur of the streets of Petrograd and its people are vividly and memorably rendered.
Philip Gelatt’s story is concise, tight and unflinchingly brutal when it needs to be. The shadow of Rasputin falls on every page even when he isn’t present. A story about secrets and conspiracies, it is a perfectly paced tale that leads up to the kinetic and brutal scenes of the assassination itself. The messy aftermath, which leads to full blown revolution in Russia, is powerfully intense. The characters are all well-rounded with believable motivations and distinct voices, from the conflicted Cleary to the hedonistic Rasputin himself.
Presented here in a new edition, ten or so years after the original release, “Petrograd” is easily one of the best, most compelling historical graphic novels I have ever read and it comes highly recommended.