Taarna #2
Heavy Metal Comics 2018
Written by Alex De Campi
Illustrated by Esau & Isaac Escorza
Coloured by Carlos Cabrera
Lettered by Adam Wollet
After being severely wounded in battle, Taarna discovers that she's been enlisted into the wrong army. The silent heroine is labelled a spy and must fight the forces of the Sky-God to escape with her life.
I have no real clue as to why I am so enamoured with this story I mean Alex does some of the best writing I’ve seen her do and the interiors are stunningly gorgeous which alone would normally be enough. But sometimes we see something that the “It” factor to it that is not explainable it just is and this is one those things that has that X factor.
The opening here picks up where we left off last issue. The base is being attacked and her concern for friend causes her to hesitate in battle. Besides she has a sword and they are flying upon beasts shooting guns. There really isn’t that much she would be able to do against such forces. Still it is war and when one who is recruited to be cannon fodder doesn’t die or perform their duties satisfactory then well they get in trouble right. Only Taarna is mute she doesn’t speak but as a woman from Dogtown she certainly knows how to fight.
First I love that Alex is writing such a strong female lead character who doesn’t speak. She’s able to be expressive and powerful without having to say a word and that’s because of the collaboration between Alex and the Escorza’s (?). I don’t know if they do talk or what but it really is a great symbiotic relationship. So this is just me saying that the characterisation here is quite exceptional and as we also get to see those around reacting to her lack of communication being taken in different ways well the whole comes across in such a spectacular fashion.
Now I know this is riff on some French strip and it’s become it’s own thing here but for me this fuses the bast aspects of Dune and Barbarella which totally explains the technology and the way this world looks. Sure throw in some Strikeforce Morituri in how the soldiers are treated and this feels fresh as it finds a new audience. I feel we are witness the new telling of a classic that isn’t being updated to make it current but told as it was intended to be. It has that quality to it and it is something that is completely and utterly delightful.
I am in love with the interiors here. The Escorza’s and Carlos put out some of the most strong yet delicate work I have seen in a very long time. The attention to details is astonishing and the manipulation of the varying weights in the linework to create those subtle moments balanced out the bolder ones immediately capture the eye. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows of a super strong eye for storytelling. I love the way backgrounds are utilised to give the reader a better understanding of the surroundings and expanding the story.
Well after Taarna wakes up and is sent to the new palace and this is when things become really interesting. I love the way this book flows and how Alex has managed to structure the whole thing. The pacing is superb and that I feel like we get to know her extremely well we are still only scratching the surface of the woman that she is. Also this gives us a chance to see more about the cut of the Sky-God and how delusional it’s leader is. It’s fabulous, creepy and delightfully told this is why Heavy Metal needs to be recognised and celebrated more!
Heavy Metal Comics 2018
Written by Alex De Campi
Illustrated by Esau & Isaac Escorza
Coloured by Carlos Cabrera
Lettered by Adam Wollet
After being severely wounded in battle, Taarna discovers that she's been enlisted into the wrong army. The silent heroine is labelled a spy and must fight the forces of the Sky-God to escape with her life.
I have no real clue as to why I am so enamoured with this story I mean Alex does some of the best writing I’ve seen her do and the interiors are stunningly gorgeous which alone would normally be enough. But sometimes we see something that the “It” factor to it that is not explainable it just is and this is one those things that has that X factor.
The opening here picks up where we left off last issue. The base is being attacked and her concern for friend causes her to hesitate in battle. Besides she has a sword and they are flying upon beasts shooting guns. There really isn’t that much she would be able to do against such forces. Still it is war and when one who is recruited to be cannon fodder doesn’t die or perform their duties satisfactory then well they get in trouble right. Only Taarna is mute she doesn’t speak but as a woman from Dogtown she certainly knows how to fight.
First I love that Alex is writing such a strong female lead character who doesn’t speak. She’s able to be expressive and powerful without having to say a word and that’s because of the collaboration between Alex and the Escorza’s (?). I don’t know if they do talk or what but it really is a great symbiotic relationship. So this is just me saying that the characterisation here is quite exceptional and as we also get to see those around reacting to her lack of communication being taken in different ways well the whole comes across in such a spectacular fashion.
Now I know this is riff on some French strip and it’s become it’s own thing here but for me this fuses the bast aspects of Dune and Barbarella which totally explains the technology and the way this world looks. Sure throw in some Strikeforce Morituri in how the soldiers are treated and this feels fresh as it finds a new audience. I feel we are witness the new telling of a classic that isn’t being updated to make it current but told as it was intended to be. It has that quality to it and it is something that is completely and utterly delightful.
I am in love with the interiors here. The Escorza’s and Carlos put out some of the most strong yet delicate work I have seen in a very long time. The attention to details is astonishing and the manipulation of the varying weights in the linework to create those subtle moments balanced out the bolder ones immediately capture the eye. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows of a super strong eye for storytelling. I love the way backgrounds are utilised to give the reader a better understanding of the surroundings and expanding the story.
Well after Taarna wakes up and is sent to the new palace and this is when things become really interesting. I love the way this book flows and how Alex has managed to structure the whole thing. The pacing is superb and that I feel like we get to know her extremely well we are still only scratching the surface of the woman that she is. Also this gives us a chance to see more about the cut of the Sky-God and how delusional it’s leader is. It’s fabulous, creepy and delightfully told this is why Heavy Metal needs to be recognised and celebrated more!
RSS Feed
