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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Gore
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So, we've got a bard and his unicorn on a quest to rescue his wife from the clutches of evil... Only, not at all.
This story takes place in a world where a cataclysmic war has transformed the high fantasy setting into a wasteland, where magic is in terminal decline, and where societal collapse is in full swing thanks to warfare over the remaining scarce magical resources.
Enter our narrator and main character: a snarky, one-legged ex-bard, who drifts and grifts to get by while he searches for his missing(?) damsel
This is my second read through of this volume, and I really enjoyed it! Lots of what I liked this second time through (the dry humor, the subverted or deconstructed character tropes) were different from what I liked the first time I read this (the art, the magical Mad Max vibes).
I can't wait to read the second and third volumes I have sitting on my desk, though I'm curious how the story will be tied up in just three volumes! It feels like there's so much more this world has to offer than that.
Refreshingly original fantasy with dystopian elements and anti-heroes.
Beautiful art, felt very cinematic, and i like this post apocalyptic magic world.
Right from the beginning Coda balances blood splatter violence, with 80's fantasy sillyness and a 21st Century knowing sarcastic nod. Our protagonist is a non heroic ex-bard on a quest to rescue his wife, a quest tale with a twist, in a broken, post magic world, populated by creatures and people who are more often than not biting to survive themselves (metaphorically or otherwise). As for his wife she is terrific in the truest, best sense of the word, and I am looking forward to the next graphic novel with both of them in it and only regret there was not more of her in this one.
On a personal note though the artwork was not one that gelled well for me. I found it too busy and eye hitting and it sometimes made it more work to focus on the story. But on the other hand my partner did like the artwork so it is a preference thing.
On a personal note though the artwork was not one that gelled well for me. I found it too busy and eye hitting and it sometimes made it more work to focus on the story. But on the other hand my partner did like the artwork so it is a preference thing.
Coda has a fresh concept, solid writing, stunning art and colours, and just a lot going for it overall. Reading volume one is my first experience with it, and it does feel like there's a lot of set up going on, but it definitely has me interested in continuing the series. I put volume two on hold at the library since they have it on order.