Week 15 Reviews-

☃️ Week 15 Reviews

December 9th- 15th 🎄

Book 1: Descender: The Deluxe Edition Volume 1
by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen (Illustrator)

(Volumes 1-3/ 

Issues 1-16)  
Read December 13th, 2017

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A Short Synopsis

A young robot boy named TIM-21 is a companion robot of a boy named Andy. In a universe where androids have blown to pieces the way of life for many, the robots are outlawed and hunted by bounty hunters. The graphic novel follows along with Tim and his companions as they struggle to stay alive in a universe with so much war.

The first issue opens before the war, when a group of planet-sized robots, called the Harvesters, come and destroy the way of life of the civilization. We skip ahead ten years and meet TIM-21 who has been asleep for the past ten years. Him and “his family” lived on a mining development. He slowly finds out what has happened since he was “sleeping” and is trying to find his companion and his mother. Bounty hunters come and attack him and the adventure continues from there. 

The Writing
The writing style of each issue in this deluxe edition is quite interesting. I really liked how the writer relieved information throughout the story. As we get introduced to more characters we slowly learn more and more about their identities and their backstories. As the series continues on more and more reveals to come out in the writing. The story never feels bogged down with this information though and it all feels essential to get to know the characters and where they are coming from.


Another aspect of the writing that really sticks out throughout is the characters. We follow along TIM-21 throughout the entire piece but also his companions. Each is developed and has characteristics that make them intriguing to continue to read about. The characters range from humans, many sorts of alien races, and many types of robots. Each has their own motivations in the wars and struggles that have been happening since The Harvesters came and destroyed many of their lives. The integral part of the overarching story is the fact there are both good and bad characters on both sides of the battle. Not all of the androids have done horrible things but not all of the humans and aliens can be trusted at face value. The idea of grey areas of thinking can be seen throughout the entire story. Neither side can be considered either good or evil.

The Art, Colouring, and Lettering
What really drew me to this graphic novel from the very first page was the magnificent illustrations. The art style is beyond beautiful and was stunning to look at, even with some of the more grotesque scenes. Each panel has a simplistic painted background that really helps each of the characters and other details to come alive over it. The watercolor feel to each panel makes a stunning story stand out even more.


Many of the different characters get different types of lettering depending on who they are. The aliens and the humans have one type and then many of the androids will get a more synthetic type of font. The only android that seems to not is Tim. Tim is one of the androids that is humanized more and also, we are meant to symphonize with his character.

Final Thoughts
Overall, this as an incredibly made series that I cannot wait to continue on with. I enjoyed reading about everything that has happened in this universe since The Harvesters had started wreaking havoc. Each character was complex and brought different sides to this story that made it a joy to continue to read. With a great mixture of story development and stunning graphics, this is a graphic novel that I cannot recommend enough. If you are a science fiction fan I would say that you should pick it up. I believe that you will be impressed by it.

*I was given a copy of this graphic novel
 for free for an honest review.*

Book 2: Elsewhere Volume 1
 by Jay Faerber (Story), 
Sumeyye Kesgin (Art), Ron Riley (Art)

(Issues 1-4)
Read December 15th, 2017

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A Short Synopsis
The mystery of where Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, ended up in her famous flight has been something that has many puzzled over the years since. Nobody really does know what did ever happen to her.

Elsewhere takes that idea and brings Amelia Earhart to an alien world that she never expected. During her famous flight, Amelia goes through a portal into another world altogether and meets two aliens, Cort and Tavel, who save her from a tree. She wants to find her companion Fred and from the information Cort and Tavel, she believes that Lord Kragen may have him. Lord Kragen is the villain who has been capturing the rebellion and putting them in jail. She with the help of her new friends tries to find her companion but slowly finds out that nothing is what she expected. Lord Kragen has grown very interested in her and will stop at nothing to have her in his clutches.

Writing Style
The story in Elsewhere is developed well and was fascinating to learn about. It was a great adventure with characters you really root for especially Amelia. I felt that the story did get predictable near the end though and that brought the overall story down for me. From the end of the first issue I had figured out the ending and that detracted from the overall impact of it. Also, I would have liked to get more information about this world especially about the villain Lord Kragen. The information we do get is a great part of this tale but I would have liked to have some more. This might be in future volumes and it does make me want to them, which is a good thing.

The Art/ Colouring/ Lettering
The visuals were definitely the best part of this graphic novel. This intricate world that was created is appealing to look at and was quite engrossing. I could look at some of these illustrations again and again. The structures especially at Lord Kragens’ just really stand out and bring some magic into the story. In regards to lettering, this aspect does not really stand out but looks nice visually with the illustrations throughout the entire piece. The visuals gave at least to me, the impression that this world can be expanded upon greatly for future installments. This is a world that I would like to see much more of and I hope that it will even get more and more details in a continuation.

Final Thoughts 
Overall, this was a solid piece that I enjoyed delving into. The characters were good especially Amelia and the world that was created was one of the best parts. Really, the major aspect that detracts from it is the predictability of the story and also the lack of solid information. If we get more development in the actual story arc this could be an incredible piece but that is not saying that I did not enjoy reading this. I just really wanted more to it that I didn’t get.

 I really hope that this will be expanded on in future installments because this really is an idea of a story that stood out to me. Historical fiction that plays with fantasy/ science fiction has always interested me and Amelia Earhart’s story is something that always seemed fascinating to me too. One final point that I would like to touch on is the idea of the other humans who have come to this alien world. I really hope that aspect is continued on and we learn more about them. That would be a good continuation.

*I was given a copy of this graphic novel
 for free for an honest review.*