Lion Forge 2017
By Thierry Labrosse
Translated by Jeremy Melloul
Lettered by AndWorld Design
Riel learns to his horror that the police have decided to solve the hostage standoff with extreme prejudice: no traces, no witnesses, no rebels, no hostages . . . and Gana finds that mercenaries hired by Juvex Corp are closing in on her.
This series has been moving along at a very strong clip. While it’s kind of fast and furious in that it seems there is a lot going on each issue nothing ever feels rushed, in fact the ebb and flow feels a lot like normal life and it’s something that kind of amazes me. It’s sometimes hard to make things run in real time when it’s a monthly book but Thierry does it extremely well.
I mean Riel just came to town and already he’s swept up in things so much larger than he ever could have imagined and how he is represented is unlike what I am used to seeing. The characterisation, development and structure of this book has been exceptional. When you find yourself enjoying a book and that turns into a desire for more that becomes excitement when you know it’s out that means there is something not just special but extraordinary about it and that’s what this has become since it’s first issue.
I’m also extremely impressed with the fact that Thierry writes and illustrates this. His interior artwork is as strong as the writing and it makes me feel like he’s this true renaissance man. The way he utilises page layouts through their angles and perspective is wonderfully done. The attention to detail is superb and then his use of backgrounds to give the sense of the larger picture happening around the characters it utterly amazing. He has not only been able to capture this world post-apocalyptic visually but emotionally as well.
Also I have to say that the evolution of the characters has been exceptional to see. From a small town boy to a man in the thick of things and a woman who was more an enigma and has become a key player as well as that young lady who first friended Riel they all have their moments where you see them become more than they were. It’s like you can almost point to the page and panel that it happened for you as a reader, seeing that change.
This really is all around one of the strongest stories i’ve had the pleasure to be reading lately. Lion Forge has made itself a presence lately with not only the quality of the work being done but their choices in what to publish. If you are of the mind that the “Big 2” need a wake up call on how they go about their business then do the smart thing support companies like Lion Forge who put out the quality of books you want to read.