Reviews
Kwezi: Issues 1-3 Collector's edition by Peter Phillip, Loyiso Mkize, Clyde Beech, Viwe Mfaku
mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
Note 1: This is a review for *all* the volumes of Kwezi out so far (4 as of April 2019), not just this title.
Note 2: I don't speak any of the non-English languages of South Africa, so I wasn't able to follow some of the dialogue (roughly 5%).
I got these as a gift from my sister, who recently visited South Africa. It's cool to see superheroes through a non-American lens, especially in a package like this --- all the volumes are perfect bound and about letter size, so much like the Marvel and DC graphic novels of the 80's.
The art is quite good. Loykise Mkize doesn't have complicated linework, but there's a dynamism to his figures that works great in the superhero genre. He does excellent work with pacing and makes stunning splash pages. I also love the design chops. Each volume introduces new characters, and the costuming and looks are varied, interesting, and nothing like standard Marvel and DC work. Mkise is obviously in very interested in world-building, and he builds attractive worlds.
The writing, however, wasn't as impressive. We start off following Kwezi, a brash young man who is connecting his new-found superhero abilities to his social media presence. Then, he starts encountering other heroes focused on a cause of cosmic proportions. It's a standard trope in the superhero genre (with my favorite example being Grant Morrison's Zenith), but it isn't fleshed out here with personal detail. Kwezi makes a hero's journey, but I never understood what drove him as a person. And the world building, while inventive, just never stops; the scope gets wider and wider. About the time I get invested in a character (I was a big fan of the Giant Man analog introduced in volume 3), things change dramatically. I would have appreciated a slower take on practically everything in the story.
That being said, if you're a superhero fan, I would give these a try, especially if you like dynamic art and a non-US take on the genre.
Note 2: I don't speak any of the non-English languages of South Africa, so I wasn't able to follow some of the dialogue (roughly 5%).
I got these as a gift from my sister, who recently visited South Africa. It's cool to see superheroes through a non-American lens, especially in a package like this --- all the volumes are perfect bound and about letter size, so much like the Marvel and DC graphic novels of the 80's.
The art is quite good. Loykise Mkize doesn't have complicated linework, but there's a dynamism to his figures that works great in the superhero genre. He does excellent work with pacing and makes stunning splash pages. I also love the design chops. Each volume introduces new characters, and the costuming and looks are varied, interesting, and nothing like standard Marvel and DC work. Mkise is obviously in very interested in world-building, and he builds attractive worlds.
The writing, however, wasn't as impressive. We start off following Kwezi, a brash young man who is connecting his new-found superhero abilities to his social media presence. Then, he starts encountering other heroes focused on a cause of cosmic proportions. It's a standard trope in the superhero genre (with my favorite example being Grant Morrison's Zenith), but it isn't fleshed out here with personal detail. Kwezi makes a hero's journey, but I never understood what drove him as a person. And the world building, while inventive, just never stops; the scope gets wider and wider. About the time I get invested in a character (I was a big fan of the Giant Man analog introduced in volume 3), things change dramatically. I would have appreciated a slower take on practically everything in the story.
That being said, if you're a superhero fan, I would give these a try, especially if you like dynamic art and a non-US take on the genre.
cancan_jpg's review
4.0
I thought the art in this book was really fantastic, and I love its general concept! It’s cool to see a proudly South African comic like this, set in what seems to be pseudo-Johannesburg! The book felt really fun and joyful, and it had a cheesy vibe I absolutely love about it - in a world with a lot of media that’s grim for the sake of being grim, it’s refreshing to see something so unabashedly fun and cheesy, fully leaning into the classic superhero genre.
Unfortunately, I felt the plot was a little generic in the sense that it’s a very typical Chosen One narrative, and I didn’t really feel into the character interactions (particularly the forced kiss between Kwezi and the lady hero). The plot and pacing were also really condensed in what felt like extremely short issues.
I’m hoping the storytelling improves over the series, because the art is lovely, and this series as a whole has so much potential!
Unfortunately, I felt the plot was a little generic in the sense that it’s a very typical Chosen One narrative, and I didn’t really feel into the character interactions (particularly the forced kiss between Kwezi and the lady hero). The plot and pacing were also really condensed in what felt like extremely short issues.
I’m hoping the storytelling improves over the series, because the art is lovely, and this series as a whole has so much potential!
More...