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The Little Red Fish #1
The Little Red Fish
An aquatic reef held down by an oppressive regime of blood-thirsty heron struggles to rise up in this harrowing tale of self-discovery, heritage, and revolution. The Little Red Fish retraces the events of the Iranian Revolution portraying events from the perspective of those actually involved. Part historical text, part guerrilla warfare,The Little Red Fish is a six-part series focused on highlighting an often overlooked part of history. Oh, and there’s that magical orb thing…
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 19, 2015
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
I requested this ARC largely due to seeing Shirin Neshat’s exhibit “Facing History” at the Hirshhorn Gallery in Washington, DC. I hadn’t heard of her before, and that was due more to my ignorance of Modern Art. The exhibit comprised photography – reflecting the Arab Spring, Green Movement as well as the Shanameh- and short films. My favorite piece was the short film “Turbulent”, but everything was just wow. The exhibit was well done because there was a wealth of material explaining the context of the pieces, and the Hirshhorn went one step further and had a smaller exhibit showcasing Persian work and history that Neshat draws on.
So she’s the reason I requested this book.
The Little Red Fish is a history of the Iranian Revolution told in graphic novel format via a story of fish being terrorized by herons.
In short, it is in the tradition of Watership Down and the Duncton Wood books.
This volume (1 of 6 I believe) does end on a cliffhanger, so you are warned.
Khodabandeh’s artwork is absolutely stunning. While it is difficult to put a name to each fish, the fish are drawn differently in subtle ways. They are a school of fish, but like many schools you can see the subtle difference. Khodabandeh’s portrayal of a crowd is one of the best I’ve seen in comics.
Moffitt’s writing is not heavy handed, and so you know that the fish are more than just fish, the birds are more than just birds. In this way, to provides an excellent starting point or spark of interest for more information about the Iranian Revolution.
The work did remind me of Neshat’s in the use of both symbol and writing. It is a lovely graphic novel, and I can’t wait until volume two.
I requested this ARC largely due to seeing Shirin Neshat’s exhibit “Facing History” at the Hirshhorn Gallery in Washington, DC. I hadn’t heard of her before, and that was due more to my ignorance of Modern Art. The exhibit comprised photography – reflecting the Arab Spring, Green Movement as well as the Shanameh- and short films. My favorite piece was the short film “Turbulent”, but everything was just wow. The exhibit was well done because there was a wealth of material explaining the context of the pieces, and the Hirshhorn went one step further and had a smaller exhibit showcasing Persian work and history that Neshat draws on.
So she’s the reason I requested this book.
The Little Red Fish is a history of the Iranian Revolution told in graphic novel format via a story of fish being terrorized by herons.
In short, it is in the tradition of Watership Down and the Duncton Wood books.
This volume (1 of 6 I believe) does end on a cliffhanger, so you are warned.
Khodabandeh’s artwork is absolutely stunning. While it is difficult to put a name to each fish, the fish are drawn differently in subtle ways. They are a school of fish, but like many schools you can see the subtle difference. Khodabandeh’s portrayal of a crowd is one of the best I’ve seen in comics.
Moffitt’s writing is not heavy handed, and so you know that the fish are more than just fish, the birds are more than just birds. In this way, to provides an excellent starting point or spark of interest for more information about the Iranian Revolution.
The work did remind me of Neshat’s in the use of both symbol and writing. It is a lovely graphic novel, and I can’t wait until volume two.
September 21, 2015
'The Little Red Fish' by James Moffitt has beautiful illustrations by Bizhan Khodabendeh. My review copy was only the first issue, but I'm interested to find the rest and read it.
The story takes place in a reef with a group of fish under siege by seabirds who want to eat them. They find help from an unexpected and unusual ally.
On the surface level, it's a beautful story with equally beautiful art, but there is a deeper meaning, that is pretty obvious to the discerning reader. This story is also a retelling of the events of the Iranian Revolution. It's told from the perspective of those involved. Since this was only the first issue of six, it's tough to give a more complete review. I'd come back for the art alone, but as someone interested in history, I'd also come back to find out more about this time in history.
I received a review copy of this first issue of a graphic novel series from Rosarium Publishing, Sink/Swim Press, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this first issue.
The story takes place in a reef with a group of fish under siege by seabirds who want to eat them. They find help from an unexpected and unusual ally.
On the surface level, it's a beautful story with equally beautiful art, but there is a deeper meaning, that is pretty obvious to the discerning reader. This story is also a retelling of the events of the Iranian Revolution. It's told from the perspective of those involved. Since this was only the first issue of six, it's tough to give a more complete review. I'd come back for the art alone, but as someone interested in history, I'd also come back to find out more about this time in history.
I received a review copy of this first issue of a graphic novel series from Rosarium Publishing, Sink/Swim Press, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this first issue.
December 27, 2015
I found the art pretty, but overall it felt a bit 'flat' to me. Two dimensional. I mean, yeah, it's two dimensional. But you know what I mean. Dialogue was also a bit awkward. And I couldn't find myself sympathising with the fishies at all beyond a slight bit of pity. Still, that could be just due to my mood at the time of reading, might have affected better if I were in a more receptive mood. (Yes, I know it's an allegory.)
August 27, 2015
*I received this book as an eARC from Rosarium Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This graphic novel is an artistic interpretation of the Iranian Revolution using fish and birds. The art is beautiful. It reminded me of The Sign of the Seahorse by Graeme Base. I loved his books as a child and although there is some similar worldbuilding, this is a more adult book.
If you are more familiar with the historical events this novel reimagines, you will probably enjoy this more than I did. I did enjoy it even in my ignorance. I saw it more as a dystopian story, which it is but with more historical relevance.
The art is wonderful. There are a lot of great ideas in this first volume. I give this graphic novel a 4/5.
This graphic novel is an artistic interpretation of the Iranian Revolution using fish and birds. The art is beautiful. It reminded me of The Sign of the Seahorse by Graeme Base. I loved his books as a child and although there is some similar worldbuilding, this is a more adult book.
If you are more familiar with the historical events this novel reimagines, you will probably enjoy this more than I did. I did enjoy it even in my ignorance. I saw it more as a dystopian story, which it is but with more historical relevance.
The art is wonderful. There are a lot of great ideas in this first volume. I give this graphic novel a 4/5.
April 27, 2023
The story of oppressed fish in a Persian reef, beset by herons. The book is an allegory to the Iranian Revolution in 1979 up to when the Khomeini takes over. However, unless you know the history very in-depth, you probably wouldn't realize it. The art is interesting with fish being able to use fins to hold weapons while the herons just stab with their beaks.
January 1, 2021
I downloaded a digital copy of this book from my library and did not see how short it was. I thought it was a full graphic novel. That is not the reason for the 2 stars though. The artwork was great, but the story was depressing and not told well.
April 18, 2024
Lovely art, very odd, allegorical story. A fish/leader who can shapeshift into a bird is undone by some of his fish subjects, sold out to a heron overlord? Odd & oblique way to address this little-told and important history.
August 27, 2015
This was an ARC for Netgalley.
What if I told you that we’d talk about a dark chapter of the Cold War in a serious fish using gorgeous fish and birds? I’m no way poking fun at the finished product and do not wish to detract from its taught and gripping tale by saying that this is like Finding Nemo for adults.
First off, the art is eye-catching and stunning and feels like it lies somewhere between Middle Eastern, Aztec, and Haida art. The geometry and shapes of the characters on the page are beautiful.
To the uninitiated, it might seem like an odd choice to use a community of fish, some herons, and a falcon to talk about the treacherous and bloody days of Shah Pahlavi after he overthrew Mosaddegh in a coup to rule Iran.
Now, none of that is explicitly stated in this work, but knowing a little about history and where this book is coming from brings this period to life in a magical and easily accessible way. You may think that this book is cute and directed to a younger audience. You’d be wrong in making that assumption. There’s more to it under the surface and the characters (for me at least) quickly created a bond that I sympathized with. I feared for the fish and deplored the arrogant and autocratic herons (they certainly echo the overly violent elements of a secret police). I feared for those conspiring for freedom when it was revealed there was a traitor amongst them. I felt awe for the falcon who it would seem would bring a brief respite and tranquility to the fish.
This gorgeous title has a lot to say in a short amount of time. It is for grownups, but I would just as soon give this to a child so as to brooch the topic of a dark time of the 20th century and have a general discussion with them about what they thought might happen and what did happen. This book is beautiful and also serves as an emotional and effective tool for education.
What if I told you that we’d talk about a dark chapter of the Cold War in a serious fish using gorgeous fish and birds? I’m no way poking fun at the finished product and do not wish to detract from its taught and gripping tale by saying that this is like Finding Nemo for adults.
First off, the art is eye-catching and stunning and feels like it lies somewhere between Middle Eastern, Aztec, and Haida art. The geometry and shapes of the characters on the page are beautiful.
To the uninitiated, it might seem like an odd choice to use a community of fish, some herons, and a falcon to talk about the treacherous and bloody days of Shah Pahlavi after he overthrew Mosaddegh in a coup to rule Iran.
Now, none of that is explicitly stated in this work, but knowing a little about history and where this book is coming from brings this period to life in a magical and easily accessible way. You may think that this book is cute and directed to a younger audience. You’d be wrong in making that assumption. There’s more to it under the surface and the characters (for me at least) quickly created a bond that I sympathized with. I feared for the fish and deplored the arrogant and autocratic herons (they certainly echo the overly violent elements of a secret police). I feared for those conspiring for freedom when it was revealed there was a traitor amongst them. I felt awe for the falcon who it would seem would bring a brief respite and tranquility to the fish.
This gorgeous title has a lot to say in a short amount of time. It is for grownups, but I would just as soon give this to a child so as to brooch the topic of a dark time of the 20th century and have a general discussion with them about what they thought might happen and what did happen. This book is beautiful and also serves as an emotional and effective tool for education.
August 22, 2015
Oh, I so liked this Finding Nemo with political twists! Moffitt has come up with a great idea - the story revolves around anthropomorphic fish and birds fighting for their right to exist and do what's in their nature. This means we have the fish, who need to survive when the birds want to eat them. The whole Orwellian atmosphere is wonderful and the comic is quite gloomy. The comic supposedly follows the Iranian Revolution, but it wasn't really evident - perhaps this first part just doesn't get us there yet. Still, I'd like to know why Moffitt chose these animals to portray the revolution and what effects them being animals have on this. I wish the animals, especially the fish, would have names. It's kind of hard to tell them apart and all in all the beginning is quite a mess. We are suddenly thrown into this underwater situation and none of it is explained. Nowadays this is quite common, sadly so - it's just extremely hard to get into the story and so much is happening and you don't know what that all is or even why.
The colors are quite dark and sad even. In a way I would've wanted more colors, since the ocean is amazing and vivid, but now just murky water. The colors are quite like those from the Soviet Union. It creates this depressing atmosphere, but at the same time it doesn't fit the animals. The line work is nice and I do enjoy the panels and angles in them. The comic surely has potential and surely if some of the mentioned things are corrected, this'll get that +1 star to it.
The colors are quite dark and sad even. In a way I would've wanted more colors, since the ocean is amazing and vivid, but now just murky water. The colors are quite like those from the Soviet Union. It creates this depressing atmosphere, but at the same time it doesn't fit the animals. The line work is nice and I do enjoy the panels and angles in them. The comic surely has potential and surely if some of the mentioned things are corrected, this'll get that +1 star to it.
August 19, 2015
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This is the first time I have read a graphic novel and wasn’t sure quite what to expect. The art work was very well done and quite surrealistic. I particularly like the pockets on the sides of the main fish characters. The herons, with their stiletto sharp beaks look evil and dangerous, while the peaceful fish in the reef manage to convey happiness, fear, surprise, and determination by the shape of their eyes and the swish of their fins. Only the eagle, Manuchehr, is difficult to read. The fight scene is visually spectacular, but also rather difficult to follow – though the outcome is clear.
Having visited Iran about 10 years ago, and being very interested in all things Iranian, I was really looking forward to the story line. I would give the artwork a 5 out of 5, but the story so far only a 2. Unfortunately, I only received the first part of the tale, and it was too short to really come to grips with as an allegory of the Iranian Revolution. I would like to read the next five parts, and will hopefully then be able to rate this much higher. My advise to readers would be to wait until the whole story is published to get a real feel for the book.
This is the first time I have read a graphic novel and wasn’t sure quite what to expect. The art work was very well done and quite surrealistic. I particularly like the pockets on the sides of the main fish characters. The herons, with their stiletto sharp beaks look evil and dangerous, while the peaceful fish in the reef manage to convey happiness, fear, surprise, and determination by the shape of their eyes and the swish of their fins. Only the eagle, Manuchehr, is difficult to read. The fight scene is visually spectacular, but also rather difficult to follow – though the outcome is clear.
Having visited Iran about 10 years ago, and being very interested in all things Iranian, I was really looking forward to the story line. I would give the artwork a 5 out of 5, but the story so far only a 2. Unfortunately, I only received the first part of the tale, and it was too short to really come to grips with as an allegory of the Iranian Revolution. I would like to read the next five parts, and will hopefully then be able to rate this much higher. My advise to readers would be to wait until the whole story is published to get a real feel for the book.
September 2, 2015
See, this is why I don't read single issues. I have to read at least 5 or 6 issues before I can form an opinion on a series opening. This was just a single and as such I just don't think I can form an opinion on characters, plot, or anything really not involving art style.
The style is prettyish. I felt like the colors were a little drab for some reason which seemed like an odd choice for fish that I assume are tropical.
Part of the reason I couldn't form an opinion on the plot was that much of the second half were images from an action sequence. Those don't always translate well to comic form, but I thought they did a good job here.
There just wasn't enough to make me want to pick up the rest of the series, but that is a bit much for 30 pages of content to do. Wish this had been a collection instead.
Copy courtesy of Rosarium Publishing and Sink/Swim Press, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
The style is prettyish. I felt like the colors were a little drab for some reason which seemed like an odd choice for fish that I assume are tropical.
Part of the reason I couldn't form an opinion on the plot was that much of the second half were images from an action sequence. Those don't always translate well to comic form, but I thought they did a good job here.
There just wasn't enough to make me want to pick up the rest of the series, but that is a bit much for 30 pages of content to do. Wish this had been a collection instead.
Copy courtesy of Rosarium Publishing and Sink/Swim Press, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
October 14, 2015
This is a very difficult book for me to review. The ebook copy that I received seemed to contain all of the pages, but in an incomprehensible order and displayed with a 90 degree shift; slightly frustrating to read on a phone. The art, however, is magnificent. The story (as best as I could figure out) is also fascinating. It has a timeless, fable-like air to it. As with many first issues, the story is barely begun by the end of the book (again, I think) but there is enough here to keep me eager to see the next one. Hopefully with pages in the correct order!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2016
3.5/5
The art work (drawing) was pretty but I don't really like the color schemes? The colors are dark and similar in many cases so it's quit hard to tell which is what and who's who. I find the story line to be interesting but not entertaining enough to affect me like crazy and the issue is too short, so short I didn't realized I've finished it already and not getting enough of the story. I would keep reading the second issue though. I am interested on how the author portrays the Iranian Revolution through these animals.
The art work (drawing) was pretty but I don't really like the color schemes? The colors are dark and similar in many cases so it's quit hard to tell which is what and who's who. I find the story line to be interesting but not entertaining enough to affect me like crazy and the issue is too short, so short I didn't realized I've finished it already and not getting enough of the story. I would keep reading the second issue though. I am interested on how the author portrays the Iranian Revolution through these animals.
December 26, 2017
Written in a metaphoric manner, reminiscent of the Nazi times, The Little Red Fish was a quick go thorough graphic novel/picture. I dont think I connected with it majorly because of the dictatorship vibes. Also, the graphics for me (being an ecopy) hard to grasp.
In my opinion, this should come as a full volume to really instill that storyline.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for this review copy.
In my opinion, this should come as a full volume to really instill that storyline.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for this review copy.
December 4, 2015
It left me wanting more. I'm used to getting full books on Netgalley, not single issues. It definitely captured my attention. The art is great. Very colorful and expressive. This is the first issue, so it's basically an introduction to characters and setup for the story to follow. Looking forward to the next installment.
September 8, 2015
A fine story, but I don't know enough about the actual history to get the allegory. And the galley didn't Include any actual historical fact, so it just left me guessing. Beautifully drawn though.
Received galley from Netgalley
Received galley from Netgalley
December 7, 2015
That's a fast read. It's an interesting story but its so short that you don't get much from it. I would like to read the whole story when its done.
I read this book via NetGalley. I thank them for this book.
I read this book via NetGalley. I thank them for this book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews