Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant

Meet Delilah Dirk – a globetrotting troublemaker, daughter to an English ambassador father and famous Greek artisan mother. Delilah was trained by the best marksmen in France, lived in the jungles of India, the beaches of Indonesia, and a Japanese monastery. She is extremely deadly, capable and chaos-incarnate. Delilah meets Erdemoglu Selim, lieutenant in the Turksih Janissary Corps (and amateur tea-brewer), when she attempts to steal some ancient scrolls from his Majesty’s palace. Selim is sent to interrogate Ms Dirk, but somehow gets caught up in her (inevitable) escape plan – and even accused of being her accomplice! Now Selim finds himself unwittingly along for Delilah’s wild new escapade – stealing from the Evil Pirate and Captain – Zakul (the Terrible). ‘Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant’ is the first book in a new graphic novel series by Tony Cliff for First Second Books. I have had this book waiting in my TBR pile for months. First recommended to me by Adele (Persnickety Snark) back in 2013, Tony Cliff’s ‘Delilah Dirk’ was named a Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of 2013 and a Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of 2013. And let me tell you … it deserves all that praise, and more. Tony Cliff has created an acerbically witty, charming and ferocious heroine in Delilah Dirk – at once an accomplished (ass-kicking) swordswoman, and member to three royal families. She seemingly traipses the world looking for mischief and doing whatever tickles her fancy; whether it be stealing gold from a terrible pirate or breaking into the Great Palace of Constantinople. She’s like a cross between Adèle Blanc-Sec and Indiana Jones – and utterly, utterly wonderful. I also appreciated that Tony Cliff didn’t sexualise Delilah; she’s definitely not the type of comic-book action heroine we’ve seen too much of lately. Readers are seeing this story through Lieutenant Selim’s eyes – we meet Delilah at the same time he does, and we hear his conflicting interiority about her actions and his participation in them. Selim is a great sidekick for Delilah; waylaid by a strong moral compass and utterly horrified by Delilah’s easy brutality. They are a great double-act balance, and by the end of the book readers can rest assured that they have the beginnings of a beautiful friendship. ‘Delilah Dirk’ is also a very exotic, historic story – we traipse with Delilah from 1807 Constantinople (Istanbul) to the wilds of Asian Turkey and a trip over to Greece. The locations are stunningly drawn, and it’s wonderful to get lost in such exotic locales. I can’t wait to travel with Delilah and Selim, wherever her fancies take them next! ‘Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant’ is one of the best graphic novels I’ve read, and easily makes its way onto my favourites list. It’s funny and lushly drawn, Delilah is a worthy heroine and Selim a fantastic narrator. I can’t wait for more adventures with these two.

If you are reading this review, chances are you have: a) read the graphic novel online, were captivated by the Eisner-nominated graphic novel and, like myself, could not stop the involuntary urge to purchase the novel on Amazon b) heard amazing reviews from smart/intelligent/good-looking individuals who quite frankly, did not rave about it nearly enough c) stumbled upon this by pure blissful serendipity--embrace it If you have already read the graphic novel online, then you are already aware of the awesomeness that is this product. You will be happy to know that all of the art you love is printed in a high-quality, well-proportioned book. The title is printed in metallic silver text, and there is a fold-out panel on the inside cover with witty character profiles. In addition, this novel has 12 additional beautifully illustrated pages that you can't find anywhere else. And if that wasn't enough incentive to purchase this book, Tony Cliff has even stated that he might even make a second book if this one sells well. "Most importantly, there's this: the better The Turkish Lieutenant sells, the more likely it is that the book's publisher (the delightful First Second) will ask me to make a second book. Maybe even a third!" (tonycliff.tumblr.com)[Update: Good news! First Second has asked Tony Cliff for a second graphic novel! The adventure continues!] If you've never read this book, you can check out half of the story online. It's got amazing art, dynamic characters, witty banter, camaraderie, tea, and a lot of adventure. Personally, I've read a lot of graphic novels and online comics, and this is definitely one of the best out there, if not the best. The story itself is told through the eyes of Selim, Lieutenant in the Turkish Janissary Corps, a tea connoisseur who gets swept up in Delilah Dirk's grand adventures (including some on a flying boat). Delilah is a unique, strong, and compelling female character (which don't crop up often enough) who is a well-traveled aristocrat turned pirate. Selim enjoys a simple life, but he is enticed by Delilah Dirk's daring schemes and narrow escapes. In retrospect, their relationship reminds me a lot of Watson and Sherlock (the perfect dynamic duo). If you're a parent who wishes to encourage your child to read, this is the book to do it. Most graphic novels these days tend to be long series that mostly rely on art and action, and less time is spent on the writing/ story itself. You will be happy to know that this novel does not rely only on the art (although honestly it could), but also has a well-balanced story that complements the art beautifully. Also, despite the possibilities of future sequels, the story is also complete in this one book. Additional books would be great to expand on this story, but you do not have to worry about being left hanging at the end of Delilah Dirk.

This was an interesting story and my first foray into the graphic novel market. The illustration was great. Amusing at times. The story was good. But didn't leave me anxious to read the next installment. One of the reasons I got the book was a comment that the reader would love their 15 yr old daughter to read this. And that is very true. My fifteen year old self would have LOVED this. My adult self was entertained but not smitten.

Delilah Dirk is a creation of the author Tony Cliff that started out as a webcomic. The webcomic was beautiful in its approach to that genre, pages were laid out a way that drew you in as if you were reading it in glorious print. Now, the story has finally been printed as a 'real' book. It works even better on paper than on the screen. Cliff has done a lot of research into the background of this story set in Ottoman Turkey and Greece. Clothing, nature, city scapes are all dawn in a very loving and respectful manner. The protagonists are what really makes this comic work. Selim a Jannisary that loves his tea more than his career and Delilah a tomboy diplomats daughter stumble from adventure to adventure as two children running through their world. Although the adventures give Cliff the chance to illustrate some truly wonderful action-scenes, I could read a book about these two bickering on whether tea was better than coffee. Finally, it has to be said that this edition is of a very high quality. Colours are deep and rich, the paper is of a think quality. As TPB's go, this is definitely one of the better ones out there. Five Stars, buy this comic if you love adventure books and films and interesting characters.

This is an unexpectedly subversive plot, gently poking holes in gender stereotypes. Some of the plot elements are rather over the top (flying boat?!?) but that adds to the fun. So give this a try and enjoy the ride.

The book is fresh and well drawn. I liked it enough that I read all the other Delilah Dirk stories I could get hold of.

I had very high hopes for this book and it didn't disappoint. We need more adventure stories like this. You can't possibly be disappointed.

Absolutely awesome! I fell in love with the story through the chapters Tony Cliff posted online and couldn't resist ordering the book to find out more. Definitely worth buying!