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jessidee's review
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
freemajo's review
3.0
Prism Stalker, at its core, is a story about colonization and identification. Vep is a refugee who lives on (in?) a sentient planet which her people care for in return for shelter. She is taken by a foreigner and forcibly enrolled in an academy. Graduates of the academy enforce colonization upon the planet and repel indigenous forces. Vep sees the academy and the expanse of the planet ripe for colonization as a way to provide a space for her tribe stuck on (in???) the sentient planet she knows best as home.
During her time at the academy, she encounters other members of her species who did not flee for the refugee planet. Because Vep has never learned her native tongue or rituals, her overtures toward these women are rebuffed angrily. These two short encounters are the most interesting in Prism Stalker as they raise questions of identity and belonging.
Overall, the art style is not great, and it's frequently difficult to tell Vep apart from other characters of her species because they're not drawn very precisely--their bone structure and features change slightly between panels on occasion (and not on purpose). It doesn't feel polished, and the impression is of a rough draft rather than final product.
The story is meager and rather boring. The collection can be summed up easily as "Vep struggles but in the end might be okay." The bonus content at the end was helpful because it explained the author's inspiration as a Hawaiian and Native American, which is the most interesting theme (colonization and identity) throughout Prism Stalker. I just wish this had been more of a focus than it was.
During her time at the academy, she encounters other members of her species who did not flee for the refugee planet. Because Vep has never learned her native tongue or rituals, her overtures toward these women are rebuffed angrily. These two short encounters are the most interesting in Prism Stalker as they raise questions of identity and belonging.
Overall, the art style is not great, and it's frequently difficult to tell Vep apart from other characters of her species because they're not drawn very precisely--their bone structure and features change slightly between panels on occasion (and not on purpose). It doesn't feel polished, and the impression is of a rough draft rather than final product.
The story is meager and rather boring. The collection can be summed up easily as "Vep struggles but in the end might be okay." The bonus content at the end was helpful because it explained the author's inspiration as a Hawaiian and Native American, which is the most interesting theme (colonization and identity) throughout Prism Stalker. I just wish this had been more of a focus than it was.
stitch_ohana's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gigireadswithkiki's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This shot to my favorite graphic novels list the second I finished this book! The sci-fi elements were immersive & weird, the art work was absolutely breathtaking, and most importantly, it dives really well into deep topics including, but not limited to: the loss of self (intertwined heavily with loss of a culture plus intergenerational trauma) in a colonialist landscape, as well as the dichotomy of being complicit in colonialism in order to survive imperialist power structures.
I highly recommend this book for any readers looking for a new subversive sci-fi graphic novel, and I greatly look forward to picking up the sequel to "Prism Stalker."
I highly recommend this book for any readers looking for a new subversive sci-fi graphic novel, and I greatly look forward to picking up the sequel to "Prism Stalker."
ashdt7's review
2.0
I found it a little hard to follow along with the story, but not a bad story line. The artwork is absolutely stunning. It's worth picking up just for that.
vampurr's review
5.0
Spoiler
This is the best indie comic I have read in a long time. Wonderfully beautiful and with a story that translates to many, it is nothing short of perfection.thelittleotter's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Surreal illustrations and insightful authors note at the end.
bookish_ann's review
challenging
medium-paced
4.0
This was trippy, disorienting, and ultimately frustrating. This is not a stand alone collection, but an introduction… unfortunately is appears that the series was cancelled, and Vol 1 is all that there is. (I did see that a sequel is expected late 2022, so hopefully that will complete an arc).
Vep is a humanoid refugee that has spent her life tending to an alien hive. The reader does not know what happened to her home world, only that it was apparently made inhabitable in a terrorist attack. Survivors were “rescued” by Sverans, who separate the children from adults and put them to work in their disturbing nursery/food tourism business. The children are severed from their language and culture, retaining just enough memory to know they’ve lost something important.
Vep is selected by a representative of The Chorus (seems to be the main societal power in universe) to be a foot soldier in their colonization efforts of a different planet. But it’s not badaccording to The Chorus… the planet only has lower life forms. Nothing to feel bad about killing and subjugating.
Vep has her doubts though.
And that’s pretty much where it ends. There is SO MUCH going on, and while it’s a bit like drinking from a firehouse it’s very effective and affecting.
effingunicorns's review
3.0
A little hard to wrap my head around sometimes, but solid enough I might keep up with it.