Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. This week, I’m sharing my review of the graphic novel, Copenhagen, by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg.
Copenhagen was published in 2024 by Dargaud and is 295 pages long.
The Plot
The story opens with a woman fatigued with her teenage daughter and craving a break. On a whim, she jets off from Paris to Copenhagen for a one-week getaway that turns into something much more unusual. Barely having unpacked, she finds the city in uproar — the body of a mermaid has been discovered, plunging Denmark into shock and disbelief.
Characters
Nana Miller
Nana is the emotional core. Initially defined by fatigue and displacement, she becomes a magnetic guide through the city’sodd rhythms. Her vulnerability — especially being physically distant from her daughter — gives the narrative emotional weight while still allowing her to be curious and resilient.
Thyge Thygesen
Thyge is a contrast to Nana’s initially tentative presence. A quirky radio host with a gentle eccentricity, he embodies Copenhagen’s offbeat charm. His local knowledge and relatability provide humour and steady companionship as the mystery deepens.
The Poodle Club
A colourful ensemble supporting the investigation, the club members add both comedy and community. They aren’t just comic relief but help crystallise the graphic novel’s theme that everyone — no matter how strange — has a place in the story.
Writing Style
Pandolfo’s writing is breezy but observant, anchored in dialogue that is sharp, humorous, and often delightfully odd. She maintains a warm narrative voice, letting humour and curiosity coexist with moments of introspection without ever becoming preachy or sentimental. The pacing is brisk: scenes shift with a blend of comic timing and deliberately understated reflection, giving readers just enough to care about the stakes without bogging them down in overt melodrama.
At its best, the script balances human vulnerability with surreal twists—like a dead mermaid being a national news event—so that the story feels both grounded and subtly magical. Sometimes the subplots threaten to pull attention away from Nana’s emotional thread, but this is a testament to the richness of the world Pandolfo builds rather than a fundamental flaw.
Artwork
Terkel Risbjerg’s art gives Copenhagen its visual soul. His style is expressive and textured, perfectly attuned to both the humour and melancholia of the script. Panels of urban landscapes feel lived-in yet slightly dreamlike, reflecting the story’s blend of realism and whimsy. Risbjerg’s character designs are distinctive, with faces and body language that communicate mood effortlessly.
His layouts are inventive without being showy; quieter moments are rendered with gentle detail, and hectic scenes retain clarity without sacrificing energy. The visual pacing — the rhythm created by the sequence of panels — complements Pandolfo’s writing and pulls the reader through the narrative without confusion.
Colour choices and shading further enhance the mood: muted tones for introspection, brighter accents for revelations and humour. This subtle visual storytelling enriches the text rather than competing with it.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Copenhagen is an engaging graphic novel that turns an unusual premise into an enjoyable blend of adventure, humour, and personal exploration. It doesn’t always go as deep as it could have—but what it does offer, it delivers with flair: likeable characters, witty dialogue, and artwork that vividly brings a city and a cast of eccentric personalities to life. Whether you’re drawn by the mystery or the beat of a woman figuring her life out in an unexpected place, there’s plenty here to reward readers who like their comics with a mix of charm and oddball energy.
I’m giving Copenhagen an 8/10.
Have you read Copenhagen? What did you think?
As ever, thanks for stopping by and reading my review!
Until next time,
George
© 2026 GLT
Categories: Uncategorized
GEORGE L THOMAS 
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