Check out some things people have said about Vögelein: Clockwork Faerie.. Click on each reviewer's or publication's name to read the whole article.
Tina Coleman of Booklist (11/1/2003):
"Gr. 5-up... This modern fable is a rare treasure that weaves
fanciful imagination into themes of individuality, diversity, and independence.
The art is beautifully shaded black and white, and it carries the narrative
impeccably, bringing across both the emotions of the characters and the
depth of their world. Great for middle readers who like graphic novels or for younger children to share with an adult."
Stephen Raiteri of The Library Journal, 1/2004, pp 78:
"This is a touching story, somber and reflective, and Irwin's exquisite,
realistic black-and-white paintings fit the book's air of memory and
strangeness very well. Recommended for teen and adult fans of prose
fantasies in modern settings at all libraries."
Robin Brenner of The No Flying No Tights website:
"When I settled down to read Jane Irwin's Vögelein, I suspected I was in
for a treat, and boy was I right. Vögelein, the title character, is a
true heroine: independent, strong-willed, but also at times naive,
uncertain, and afraid without being any less strong... The artwork is
all grayscale, and the somber quality of the solid and fluid art
perfectly fits the tale. This volume acts more as an introduction to
Vögelein and her world, and I can only beg for more!"
Katharine Kan of The Voice of Youth Advocates
"Irwin creates an original tale that harks back to good old-fashioned storytelling.
Teens who grew up with fairy tales and fantasy will enjoy it ... It's suitable for
middle and high school libraries, with some fascinating bits of history and watch making
along with the gentle fantasy, and lots of snippets from great poetry of the past."
Jim Johnson of The Comic Buyer's Guide
An A+ Review!
"Jane Irwin's Vögelein (PFEU-gul-ine) is a wonderfully
crafted story that best if enjoyed for the beautiful experience that it is,
rather than forced into a pre-labeled genre... A+"
Randy Lander of The Fourth Rail:
"Vogelein reminds me, in all the good ways, of small press
books like Castle Waiting or Finder. It's imaginative, unusual and beautiful to look
at. It also has the negative traits, which means that not enough people are reading it, and folks
should really try to remedy that. Irwin's story has the benefit of being short, with the first
story arc ending next issue, and having some grayscale painted artwork that is terrific. It also
has the benefit of conveying a magical premise without being syrupy sweet, and though it will
definitely appeal to those who like "goth" comics, especially Sandman, it's got a universal
appeal that's hard to ignore."
Randy Lander and Don MacPherson of The Fourth Rail
Randy:
"There's a magical viewpoint going on in Vögelein that I found captivating.... Vögelein herself is
a mixture of naivete and a clear, sharp intelligence and independence, and within a few silent pages of her plight in
the first issue, I was hooked into the character's dilemma. "
Don:
"Despite the title character's predicament, fear and confusion, there's an uplifting tone to the
story. We're set up to expect people to abuse or take advantage of Vögelein, but instead, she's
met with kindness, or at the worst, indifference. Irwin seems to be saying that most people, at
their core, are decent."
John Miller of The Gay League
"There is great humanity in this story. A yearning for permanence and self-reliance. The art is
beautiful...There is real poetry in this
book both in prose and pictures."
Storeyteller of NH Fandom
"I first became interested in Vogelein when I saw a preview that ran in Mark Oakley's Thieves and
Kings #36. In that preview, Jane's interesting toned art style shone through and the beginning of
an interesting story piqued my interest."
AJ Reardon of Collector Times Online
"The cover art was so mesmerizing, the wings so perfect, the fae so mournful, that somehow I knew
this was going to be a good comic. I was not disappointed!"
Tammy Lee of Sequential Tart
"Vögelein is self-published. Self-published comics are always a crapshoot -- sometimes you get
a gem, sometimes you get crap. Vögelein is a big beauty of a gem with many facets to sparkle
and amaze. "
Greg McElhatton of iComics.com
"Vögelein is a really impressive debut.... Don't mistake
Vögelein for a light and fluffy book, though; this dark modern fantasy is anything but. "
Barb Lein-Cooper of Sequential Tart
"If you don't feel for this noble creature and her struggles, you must have a heart of stone...
I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's a powerful and brave book by a small
press."
An Interview with Tim O'Shea of Orcafresh.net
"O’Shea:
After reading this first issue, I was struck
at how much it reminded me of how I felt after reading my first issue of Neil Gaiman's
SANDMAN."
Alasdair Watson of Ninth Art
"The issue is well paced, the dialogue smooth and
natural, the characterisation excellent and, all in all, this is a fine set up issue that strikes
the right balance between answering questions and leaving mystery for later."
Lisa Jonte of Sequential Tart
"Jane Irwin's artwork is sweetly detailed and extremely emotive as is her story. I cannot wait for
issue two. You shouldn't wait either.
Fresh, twisted and completely charming, Vögelein is a keeper."
Johanna Draper Carlson of Comics Worth Reading
"This charming new miniseries tells the story of a clockwork fairy searching for a new guardian
through black-and-white painted art. It's thoughtful, well-crafted, and involving, with none of the pretension or cuteness that lesser
fantasy stories get trapped in. I already care about the characters and can't wait to see more."
An Interview with Barb Lein-Cooper of Sequential Tart
"I am pleased to say that Vögelein
is one of the best reads of the New Year. It has mood, tone, an intriguing plot, and
exceedingly interesting characters."
Jennifer Contino of Sequential Tart
"Irwin's whet my appetite to
and I'm anxious to see the rest of this series. If you like fantasy, if you're looking for
something different, if you enjoyed Avigon, then you really will like Vögelein."