(Courtesy of Image Comics)
A spectacular first installment, Isola #1 (Image Comics) captures the beauty of exotic animals and the hidden danger lurking within a mysterious world. Drawn quite cinematically, Isola does a fantastic job at world-building and introducing its lead characters.
The captain of the Royal Guard has fled the capital city with the Queen of Maar, suffering under the effects of an evil spell. Captain Rook’s only hope of returning Queen Olwyn to her throne and saving the kingdom from impending war lies on an island half a world away. The place is known in myth as Isola, land of the dead.
Here are 5 reasons why you should read Isola #1:
5) A Beautiful Experiment!
It’s here!!! Just got my copies of ISOLA #1 at the studio! It’ll be in stores April 4th!
(We used a thicker cover stock and it feels niiiice). 🙂 pic.twitter.com/QAwAg70gCi— Karl Kerschl (@karlkerschl) March 27, 2018
Experimenting with the comic book medium itself, writers Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl creatively moves the narrative at a fast pace without dialogue. The writing duo tell this dreamlike story from the perspective of a young and naive soldier. The opening pages highlight the shock and awe of Captain Rook’s coming-of-age tale.
4) A Mostly Quiet Place!
The writing duo have crafted a sprawling forest-like environment draped in eeriness. The uncomfortable silence works very well in the rainfall. The dialogue gradually pops up when Olwyn and Rook share an emotional connection.
3) The Artwork!
In my opinion, I really believe the artwork was highly influenced by anime. Artist Karl Kerschl delivers these painter-like illustrations that heighten the creature designs. Kerschl wonderfully depicts the emotions through the tiger’s facial expressions; you know what the tiger is actually thinking.
2) The Colors!
Notice how the environment is fantastically rendered in a 24 hour cycle by colorist Michele Assarassakorn. The colors are moody and dreary in the nighttime. In the daytime, the primary tones are bright and poppy.
1) A Remarkable Work!
ISOLA #1 is available to order now!
(Diamond code: FEB180500)
In stores April 4! ??⚔Read preview pages and the full ISOLA: PROLOGUE here: https://t.co/47O3pt91OH pic.twitter.com/eNCfU81UJA
— Brenden Fletcher (@brendenfletcher) January 30, 2018
Overall, readers will be enamored by the beauty and terror of Isola #1. I can’t wait to see how the story progresses in the follow-up!
RATING:
Four out of four emojis
Isola #1 arrives in stores April 4th, 2018.
By Jorge Solis