Caligula Volume 1 (CALIGULA TP) Paperback – June 5, 2012

Returning home from the market Janius finds his complete family killed by Caligula and his court, their heads made into a stew, and fed to his men. Janius found this out from their slave who was some how left in one piece and breathing.He travels to Rome to avenge his family but finds a much different Rome altogether, where he witnesses the worst depravity anyone could imagine, as gladiator fights are not what they seem, dinner parties where some of the guests end up as grotesque statues, and virgin blood is used to celebrate all things unclean.Janius also finds out that Caligula cannot be killed and is turned into his pet with the name "Felix", and becomes his confidant, lover, and biographer. Among all this, can a sane person keep their sanity, and at the same time discover Caligula's magical powers to immortality?You have no idea what horror that awaits for you in the pages of this first volume of a time when Rome's history was stricken from the history books, to be relived by David Lapham and colored by German Noble.In this five-star volume of terror and mayhem are the first complete six stories of Caligula, and a section in the back with some artwork for your enjoyment.

Great story and art so far! Looking forward to finishing the series. Only reason it isn't 5 stars is o can see where people have issues identifying characters at first, but it isn't difficult to make the connection after a couple panels.

I must say, Caligula by Avatar press is a sick book. A sick comic book about a sick, sick historical figure. But if you love a good story, and this is definitely a good story, then pick this up. Lapham is a hit. I am currently enjoying his other series 'Ferals' and its a sick comic too. But, aside from that, Lapham's style is mature, entertaining and never gratuitous. He depicts one of history's most depraved figures with penchant style and without shrinking from historical brutality. I loved this comic series and cannot wait for volume 2. Nuff said, pick this up if you are into horror comics, good story crafting and historical drama.

The artwork is confusing and it's difficult to keep track of who is meant to be who. As this is set in Ancient Rome where everybody wears the same stuff it would be helpful to have faces look more consistent from page to page.As for the story, it seems set out to be as scandalous as possible. Caligula was pretty bad but his horse didnt talk that much based on the historical record, and while I think the idea of a hell-beast who sodomises Senators is meant to be shocking I found myself laughing too much to be too disturbed.The best word to sum up is "silly". Somebody will not doubt be feeling very clever and sophistacted for doing this one, but they are confused.

I love David Lapham's work. I loved him in the Crossed and I love how he is unapologetic about the dark tale of Caligula - who indeed during his reign over the Roman Empire was a very dark period in history. Obscene graphics aside, Caligula does have a solid story with very believable and human characters. A worthy tale to add to your growing collection of truly graphic novels.

Dark, violent, sexual but not extremely memorable. Probably just a one time read thru instead of coming back to it like other graphic novels I've read

Fans of David Lapham's work with the Crossed series will not be disappointed. I really enjoyed it and found it to worth the price. I recommend it but not for the easily offended because some of the content might bother some people.

Very good, impressive art. Well-written story, about a demon, or something. Quite fanciful. Lots of gore, and rape (as opposed to sex), but not quite as much as you might expect .

very gory and graphic, not for the faint of heart. Definitely an interesting take on the Caligula legacy.

Not historically accurate. Take a look at quite a few of the real histories of any of the roman dictators Sulla, Tiberius, Caligula and Nero. Their stories are enough to make your toes curl at the shocking excesses of unbridled human greed and sadism when in the hands of the powerful. So I wouldn't have thought it necessary to ascribe caligula with supernatural aspects or to exaggerate the excesses to this extent. Still it's fairly entertaining, nicely drawn and I suppose is an example of historical fiction so fair enough. I would prefer an unflinching accurate account of any of those named above, maybe someone will come up with something like this in future.

Being an avid lover of twisted graphic novels (Preacher, The Boys, Crossed, etc) I was expecting more from this. I found the story anti-climactic and the gore/sexual explicitiness couldn't really make up for that.I was first introduced to David Lapham in the Crossed series (which by the way I really enjoy as it is disturbing on so many levels) and I was hoping for something similar, but personally I didn't find the same level of wicked cleverness in 'Caligula'.This just wasn't for me.