Taarna #1
Heavy Metal Comics 2018
Written by Alex De Campi
Illustrated by Esau Escorza & Isaac Escorza
Coloured by Carlos Cabrera
Lettered by Adam Wollet
In 2507 Demons besiege the city where Heavy Metal's legendary character finally gets her own ongoing series delivering another tale of the immortal warrior's quest to avenge injustice.
Well for those of you who are unfamiliar with Taarna, such as folk like myself, then this is a great introduction to the character. The concept of where and when this story takes place is well conceived and I like that those of a certain age are conscripted into the city’s army. There are plenty examples where citizens are required to join their nations army at certain age so this isn’t a surprise for me and I think it’s pretty smart up to a point. Alex’s use of it here is very well done and I like that there’s so much to it than the reader sees.
Alex has a pretty strong writing chops and she’s good with how it should flow and that is done here nicely. From introduction to the world to the last page we get to see some really nice flow of information and story/plot development and some very interesting characterisation and character development. I’ll be honest I liked this a lot more than I thought I would and while Heavy Metal Comics aren’t so popular in this area and chasing this down was a hassle it’s one I’m glad I undertook.
I will say this is an adults only book and if the first appearance of Taarna is any indication than yeah. Though while I am not one to shy away from nudity in comics, so long as it doesn’t feel like titties for titties sake and if it keeps up and there’s equal representation then of course I’m perfectly fine with it.
I am kind of obsessed with Kit and Suki already. Do not ask why because I cannot explain it but they remind me greatly of Wily Kit and Wily Kat and well yeah that’s near enough for me but also what they represent is strongly present here. Youth and determination and rebelling against authority it all has that ring of the young wanting truth and not to throw their lives away just because someone told them to. Not only that but they are kind of essential to the story here and once you read it you’ll see why but thank you Alex because these kids are sensational character creations.
LOVE and I mean love the interior artwork here! The linework is gorgeous and the different weights that we see are superb. The softness and hardness contrast and compliment each other perfectly. From the futuristic inside of the official buildings to the commoners area that seems like any slum you’ve ever seen this kind of dichotomy is surprising not surprising. The use of page layouts so we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a great eye for storytelling. The attention to detail is wonderful and the utilisation of backgrounds expands our knowledge and thoughts on what we see of the world.
So the what we learn and the revelations we get by the last page really ignite the readers passion, fire and desire to see more. I want to see more I want to know what’s really going on and what it meant to see the riders face. Will Kit and Suki survive their experience in the army, mind controlled or not? There’s nothing honourable about the way cadets are sent out to meet these demons so no “we who are...” yeah that’s not happening.
Sleek, stylish and way beyond anything you’ll expect this to be it really is a delight to read and I promise you’ll never think of Heavy Metal the same way again.
Heavy Metal Comics 2018
Written by Alex De Campi
Illustrated by Esau Escorza & Isaac Escorza
Coloured by Carlos Cabrera
Lettered by Adam Wollet
In 2507 Demons besiege the city where Heavy Metal's legendary character finally gets her own ongoing series delivering another tale of the immortal warrior's quest to avenge injustice.
Well for those of you who are unfamiliar with Taarna, such as folk like myself, then this is a great introduction to the character. The concept of where and when this story takes place is well conceived and I like that those of a certain age are conscripted into the city’s army. There are plenty examples where citizens are required to join their nations army at certain age so this isn’t a surprise for me and I think it’s pretty smart up to a point. Alex’s use of it here is very well done and I like that there’s so much to it than the reader sees.
Alex has a pretty strong writing chops and she’s good with how it should flow and that is done here nicely. From introduction to the world to the last page we get to see some really nice flow of information and story/plot development and some very interesting characterisation and character development. I’ll be honest I liked this a lot more than I thought I would and while Heavy Metal Comics aren’t so popular in this area and chasing this down was a hassle it’s one I’m glad I undertook.
I will say this is an adults only book and if the first appearance of Taarna is any indication than yeah. Though while I am not one to shy away from nudity in comics, so long as it doesn’t feel like titties for titties sake and if it keeps up and there’s equal representation then of course I’m perfectly fine with it.
I am kind of obsessed with Kit and Suki already. Do not ask why because I cannot explain it but they remind me greatly of Wily Kit and Wily Kat and well yeah that’s near enough for me but also what they represent is strongly present here. Youth and determination and rebelling against authority it all has that ring of the young wanting truth and not to throw their lives away just because someone told them to. Not only that but they are kind of essential to the story here and once you read it you’ll see why but thank you Alex because these kids are sensational character creations.
LOVE and I mean love the interior artwork here! The linework is gorgeous and the different weights that we see are superb. The softness and hardness contrast and compliment each other perfectly. From the futuristic inside of the official buildings to the commoners area that seems like any slum you’ve ever seen this kind of dichotomy is surprising not surprising. The use of page layouts so we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a great eye for storytelling. The attention to detail is wonderful and the utilisation of backgrounds expands our knowledge and thoughts on what we see of the world.
So the what we learn and the revelations we get by the last page really ignite the readers passion, fire and desire to see more. I want to see more I want to know what’s really going on and what it meant to see the riders face. Will Kit and Suki survive their experience in the army, mind controlled or not? There’s nothing honourable about the way cadets are sent out to meet these demons so no “we who are...” yeah that’s not happening.
Sleek, stylish and way beyond anything you’ll expect this to be it really is a delight to read and I promise you’ll never think of Heavy Metal the same way again.
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