ugmug's review against another edition
4.0
Brutal feudal coming of age by way of Mad Max. Gorgeous and loaded with queasy combat detail. Really good comic.
audjmo91's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly strong world-building, creative development, and artistry in this 1st half of this post-apocalyptic tale about a family struggling with loss and revenge after a brutal attack on their clan. The amount of detail and color put into each battle, without sacrificing clarity, is very impressive.
Honestly, my biggest (only?) critique is naming a people Roto while naming a character Rollo. This is needlessly confusing, considering other characters have straightforward, "normal" names?
Regardless, a really great piece of work.
Honestly, my biggest (only?) critique is naming a people Roto while naming a character Rollo. This is needlessly confusing, considering other characters have straightforward, "normal" names?
Regardless, a really great piece of work.
mdkvamme's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
togdon's review against another edition
4.0
Great art, very reminiscent to Brandon Graham's work on Prophet and my favorite bits of Jacen Burrows; it's really, really well done. The story feels like watching a revenge tragedy (is there any other kind of revenge story?) unfold in slow motion. I love that Daniel Warren Johnson both wrote and drew the series, and I'm immediately diving into the 2nd half today.
old_tim's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up after seeing it appear on so many EOY lists. And I am glad I did.
It's harsh story about family and how to go on in the face of war and loss. In many ways it is a darker exploration of many of the same themes as Saga -- conflict, vengeance vs forgiveness, family, honor. What does it mean to be true to yourself? How do you go on when the best parts of you have been lost?
This is my first time reading Johnson's work, & I really enjoyed it. Artistically he is somewhat reminiscent of Paul Pope, and easily provides a depth and strangeness to this world.
Recommended, as long as you know it's a dark story of clan warfare.
It's harsh story about family and how to go on in the face of war and loss. In many ways it is a darker exploration of many of the same themes as Saga -- conflict, vengeance vs forgiveness, family, honor. What does it mean to be true to yourself? How do you go on when the best parts of you have been lost?
This is my first time reading Johnson's work, & I really enjoyed it. Artistically he is somewhat reminiscent of Paul Pope, and easily provides a depth and strangeness to this world.
Recommended, as long as you know it's a dark story of clan warfare.
elturko64's review against another edition
4.0
Wow this took me by surprise. Imagine Mad Max in space with an art style influenced by 'Studio Chibli'. The story is about two brutal tribes that are in a conflict with each other. The line between good and evil are blurred on both sides. Its deep and tragic at the same time. I mentioned the art before and its simply astounding. You can check out the rest of the reviews on goodreads. Everything about the art is incredible and there are no flaws in the art department. Daniel W Johnson created a new comic series that I'm truly excited about. I'll be looking forward for the next volume with great anticipation.
crossbun's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mark_johnson's review against another edition
5.0
This is the most devastating and depressing story that I have experienced for a while. This is a story of Thea, best artist of her clan, who together with her father takes revenge after the enemy clan kills her mother, cut her right arm and takes her home. For me, this is a revenge story done right, by showing vengeance how it is – cruel, violent, unfair and destructible for all parties. It blinds a person, it`s obsessive nature takes away everything good that one has and turns into the same thing as an enemy. The most painful part in all of this is how relatable and understandable main characters desire for vengeance is - they lost their home, their loved ones and, in some way, they lost themselves. I`m an artist myself and even if I`m not entirely self-identifying only as one, the idea of losing this part of me makes my skin crawls. But still, it is hard to see how revenge and bloodlust consume people and close the vicious circle, and it seems like it`s no end to it. There's the second part of the story, but I need some time to recover after this.
mapatchli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jmanchester0's review against another edition
3.0
I need to do a better job of writing down where I‰ЫЄve heard of a book or who recommended it to me. I have no idea why I put this on hold at my library, or where I‰ЫЄd heard of it.
A gruesome story about war, violence, and hate.
What right do I have to say how to respond to hate?
Is this about what war and violence does to us? Is this about (by) someone who had a really bad relationship with their father?
It was definitely interesting. And dark. And intense. I‰ЫЄm really curious about what happens next. But I‰ЫЄm not sure I‰ЫЄll keep reading.
A gruesome story about war, violence, and hate.
What right do I have to say how to respond to hate?
Is this about what war and violence does to us? Is this about (by) someone who had a really bad relationship with their father?
It was definitely interesting. And dark. And intense. I‰ЫЄm really curious about what happens next. But I‰ЫЄm not sure I‰ЫЄll keep reading.