ANGELIC #1 REVIEW
Summary: A compelling and unique story with beautifully striking art.
5
The adventure begins!
Humanity’s died out, leaving behind a post-apocalyptic world filled with genetically modified animals…leftovers of a bygone age of experiments and scientific tests. Qora, a young flying monkey stirs trouble in her roost, as she questions her role and the order of things. A coming-of-age story about teenage rebellion, defiance and adventure!
We begin this adventure in the ruins of a vast, sprawling metropolis where a group of winged monkeys are gathered for their daily prayer time. Their ritual is abruptly interrupted, as a pod of flying techno dolphins, a.k.a. the dolts, storms their roost for a bit of sport. The monkeys assemble, ready to defend the roost and protect their families from these whacky and dangerous dolts. Qora, a plucky young “girlmonk” is there and ready to join in the formation to help fight, but is quickly pulled aside, as it’s forbidden for female monkeys to join in the scrap pack. Qora is taken away by the Highwife, a kind of high priestess, where she is reprimanded for her actions and given extra duties. In the roost, Qora has been delegated to other responsibilities that include, praying to the Makers, partaking in rituals and settling down and becoming a mother. Unfortunately for Qora, the patriarch of the roost, Alfers, a burly and domineering male, has chosen Qora to be his Lowwife, a big honour within the roost, where Qora will one day bear his babies…the complete opposite of what she wants in life. With a rebellious spirit, Qora wanders away from the roost, only to discover an exciting new adventure inviting her to come along for the ride.
Simon Spurrier has created a wonderful adventure that is both immersive and captivating. There is a wild sense of adventure that is leaping out of these pages, embracing exciting concepts and compelling character designs. It’s early days yet, so the background history has yet to be established, apart from small clues and hints from the ruins and technology that has been left behind. This will no doubt unfold over the arc, but I have to say that I’m already intrigued with this world and the events that created it. Cybernetic animals reign supreme, and I’m particularly fond of the flying techno dolphins, zooming around speaking like posh dandies. I also enjoyed how the monkeys talk in their own form of Pidgin English, combining words with literal descriptions and phonetic sounds. It’s simplistic and somewhat childlike and sweet. The monkeys have an established culture, with religion and worship being the focal point of their existence. They worship something called The Makers, and all aspects of their lives revolve around the rules and delegated responsibilities that they are assigned. The contrasting element to this sense of order within the monkey roost is Qora, the rebellious teen, who questions everyone and fights against her role within the roost…damn the man, I say! I’ve Immediately fallen in love with Qora and find her very relatable. She has a keen sense of adventure, a natural curiosity and an itch for exploring the unknown.
The artist, Caspar Wijngaard, has created a vibrant and energetic post-apocalyptic world. The drawings are strikingly beautiful, and I found it very easy to immerse myself in this wild and overgrown landscape. There is something pretty in the ruin and decay of the city, with nature taking over, as the jungle literally holds the buildings together. I also love the eclectic designs of animals that we see, from techno dolphins, to quantum alleycats. Wijngaard has come up with some original designs, all of which makes this story a visual feast for the eyes. There is also a sense of culture and tribal lore amongst the monkeys, and this is reflected in their adornments and attire, from ceremonial garb, to decorative markings and tattoos. It all comes together to create a cohesive cultural aesthetic . The colouring is vibrant and pretty, mainly consisting of vivid purples and deep shades of blue. This unusual colour palette gives this world an unusual futuristic vibe, bathing everything in neon shades.
Overall, I really enjoyed the first issue of Angelic. I believe that this story has the potential to grow into an exciting and engaging narrative that will take us to some exciting new places. The story is unique and compelling, and this coupled with the vibrant art makes for a highly enjoyable read. Angelic is a a coming-of-age story that will appeal to teens and people of all ages.
I’m giving this issue 5 out of 5 stars!
COMIC DETAILS
CREATIVE TEAM: Simon Spurrier, Caspar Wijngaard, Jim Campbell and Emma Price
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PUBLICATION DATE: September 20, 2017
REVIEWER: Dana Folkard
About the Author
Dana Folkard An absolute nerd with a passion for all things sci-fi! Lover of comics, coffee and Geralt of Rivia. Mother of Dragons!
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