It is easy to forget, when we get all caught up in our Final Crisis/Secret Invasion crossover spectaculars, that there is a whole lot more to the world of comic book storytelling than DC or Marvel heroes. Not only is there a ton of awesome stuff from the many indie publishers out there, there is also a world of comics produced outside the US. Most readers are probably familiar with manga, and you may have encountered some UK comics, like Judge Dredd or Tank Girl, but there is a whole bunch of interesting stuff the rest of the world is reading that we never see. Marvel Comics, therefore, deserves a great deal of credit for trying to bring some different experiences to their readers through their partnership with the French publisher Soleil.
The latest offering from the Marvel/Soleil team is the awkwardly titled The Forsaken World: Ythaq-Book 1: Terra Incognita. (Let’s just call it Ythaq from this point on, eh? Not that I'm really sure how to pronounce Ythaq.) This book, by writer Christophe Arleston and artist Adrien Floch, is a rollicking space opera with a hint of epic fantasy, clearly setting out to tell a story on a grand scale. From the beginning, it is apparent that the creators have spent a lot of time and effort developing their world and its unique cast of characters.
Our buxom protagonist is the unfortunately named Granite Welgoat. Granite is a Lieutenant aboard the space cruiser Comet's Mist, a luxury liner that transports the rich and idle across the galaxy in style. Granite is clearly a bit scattered, and her dereliction of duty finds her banished to the ship's bar, where she serves drinks to the spoiled and pampered patrons of the ship. Luckily for her, when a mysterious force brings the ship crashing down to the planet below, her bar becomes a sealed pod, allowing Granite, maintenance man Narvarth, and wealthy diva Callisto, to land safely. Well, safely enough. They get eaten by a giant sea monster, pushed hurriedly through its digestive system, and then crash through a village full of big-tusked fans of legal procedure. But any landing you can walk away from, right?
Granite and her companions quickly make friends, and enemies, and find themselves pursued by the terrifying, yet beautiful, Divine Ophyde and her murderous mercenaries. The action never slows down, with our heroes quickly finding themselves in one mess after another. The art is gorgeous and detailed, and the story is populated by unique and unusual characters, and the world of Ythaq seems like one of nearly endless possibilities. This story is recommended for mature readers, so there is some occasional nudity or naughty language, but nothing that seems excessive or exploitative. This first issue also gives readers a heaping helping of story for their money, you won't rush through this in a quick 10 minute read.
Take a chance on something a bit different and pick up Ythaq #1 now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week! You don't want to miss out on the fun, or make Granite Welgoat angry. Ok, actually, she seems kind of cute when she's angry, but still...
The latest offering from the Marvel/Soleil team is the awkwardly titled The Forsaken World: Ythaq-Book 1: Terra Incognita. (Let’s just call it Ythaq from this point on, eh? Not that I'm really sure how to pronounce Ythaq.) This book, by writer Christophe Arleston and artist Adrien Floch, is a rollicking space opera with a hint of epic fantasy, clearly setting out to tell a story on a grand scale. From the beginning, it is apparent that the creators have spent a lot of time and effort developing their world and its unique cast of characters.
Our buxom protagonist is the unfortunately named Granite Welgoat. Granite is a Lieutenant aboard the space cruiser Comet's Mist, a luxury liner that transports the rich and idle across the galaxy in style. Granite is clearly a bit scattered, and her dereliction of duty finds her banished to the ship's bar, where she serves drinks to the spoiled and pampered patrons of the ship. Luckily for her, when a mysterious force brings the ship crashing down to the planet below, her bar becomes a sealed pod, allowing Granite, maintenance man Narvarth, and wealthy diva Callisto, to land safely. Well, safely enough. They get eaten by a giant sea monster, pushed hurriedly through its digestive system, and then crash through a village full of big-tusked fans of legal procedure. But any landing you can walk away from, right?
Granite and her companions quickly make friends, and enemies, and find themselves pursued by the terrifying, yet beautiful, Divine Ophyde and her murderous mercenaries. The action never slows down, with our heroes quickly finding themselves in one mess after another. The art is gorgeous and detailed, and the story is populated by unique and unusual characters, and the world of Ythaq seems like one of nearly endless possibilities. This story is recommended for mature readers, so there is some occasional nudity or naughty language, but nothing that seems excessive or exploitative. This first issue also gives readers a heaping helping of story for their money, you won't rush through this in a quick 10 minute read.
Take a chance on something a bit different and pick up Ythaq #1 now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week! You don't want to miss out on the fun, or make Granite Welgoat angry. Ok, actually, she seems kind of cute when she's angry, but still...
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