Dark Horse Comics 2015
Story, Art & Dinosaur Colour Concepts by Richard Delgado
Coloured by Ryan Hill
I love dinosaurs and I can’t think of anyone who isn’t fascinated and thrilled by them and the prospect of seeing what kind live in what regions are the kind of thing that interest us because we only have fossil records that don’t paint a complete picture. Richard puts together one hell of a great book here and it’s all visual with absolutely no words, narration or any of that stuff. It’s one creature’s journey through this landscape and it’s pretty brilliant.
Ironically as I write this review i’m watching Jurassic Park so my enjoyment level may be slightly skewed upwards. But Richard does something unimaginable here with this it’s such a complete story and even has emotions and desires and symbolism all through the eyes of the dinosaurs we see on the pages. Our main character has the snout of a crocodile the body shape of a Stegosaurus and the hind legs and arms of a raptor making him uniquely suited for the Egyptian terrain back then.
We forget that while alligators and crocodiles are as old as dinosaurs themselves and they have to evolve from something and it’s easy to see that our star is in some way related to them as a species. We see him swim in the waters, use his head to rip his prey apart much like his cousins and he’s at home as much in the water as on land.
During his solitary journey through this alien looking landscape we see how the world is around him as well. I did like seeing the larger brontosaurus type dinosaurs protecting their own against a small raptor of some sort not afraid to kill it. Too often we see the herbivores as timid and afraid but seriously they will defend their young and nests and kill when necessary granted they won’t eat it but they will kill it. Our guy is spotted by these large monsters who want him gone from the area as well and you see the intelligence of these creatures in the way eyes are drawn. These aren’t mindless beasts they have feelings and memories and this encounter won’t be forgotten.
It’s not exactly like going back in time but it’s a darn fine facsimile. It’s beautifully rendered and your imagination doesn’t need much prompting from what Richard gives us to really imagine what this area of the world must have been like back then. Full of life, lush forests and diverse wildlife all are on display as we see this battle scarred young man (assuming) go through this world. What he’s searching for we have no idea but it’s a journey and it’s as lovely as it is deadly and that’s what’s fascinating.
Such a wide variety of life we get to see in magnificent colours and shapes and things old and familiar that have survived to our modern world alongside those that didn’t is incredible to witness. This is a treat and a privilege to wander the world with this guy and the way Richard presents it with what I would assume is facts and research that accurately show what this area of the world looked like.
An indescribably special journey full of awe wonder this will thrill old and new dinosaur lovers alike with it’s simple grace and inherent violent undertones.