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geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
'Submerged Vol. 1' by Vita Ayala with art by Lisa Sterle is a graphic novel about a storm, a trip to the underworld, and family secrets.
Elysia Puente didn't have the best home life, but she always looked out for her estranged brother Angel. When he calls her on the night of the worst storm in history, Elysia goes into the subways looking for him. What she finds is a journey filled with ghosts from her past. She'll have to confront the things she has done in order to find her brother.
I liked the idea of this, but wasn't completely blown away by it. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it left me wanting. I think the storm element to the story kept pulling me away from the more interesting story of Elysia. The art is interesting.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Vault Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Elysia Puente didn't have the best home life, but she always looked out for her estranged brother Angel. When he calls her on the night of the worst storm in history, Elysia goes into the subways looking for him. What she finds is a journey filled with ghosts from her past. She'll have to confront the things she has done in order to find her brother.
I liked the idea of this, but wasn't completely blown away by it. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it left me wanting. I think the storm element to the story kept pulling me away from the more interesting story of Elysia. The art is interesting.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Vault Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
bookdragonkatie's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bethtabler's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't quite sure what to think upon picking this up from Vault. I adore Vault's catalog. They combine two of my favorite things, sci-fi/fantasy, and comics. Previously, I read The Vagrant Queen and loved it. It had a definite space opera vibe to it, which I appreciate. Submerged, however, started confusing, and I realized pretty early on that the confusion was purposeful. I believe that the story was written that way to set the reader off balance. Ayala is throwing odd and fanciful situations at Elysia that verge on realistic. But, something is off in every scene. You feel like Elysia is on a journey to an unknown destination in the search for her brother, but you can't understand what is going on. As the story progresses, you discover that Elysia is on a journey into the underworld to liberate her brother from its clutches.
The imagery is vivid, almost to the point of beautiful. But tempering that beauty is an undercurrent of pain and fear that penetrates the panels. Elysia is in pain. She is terrified of not finding her brother and failing him, terrified of the creatures and images she has to face, and most of all she is terrified of meeting the inner darker parts of herself and her history. It is a journey of self discovery, but it is a journey of forgiveness. We, as readers, become invested in this tale. We want to know what is going to happen. Ayala drops bits and pieces of the narrative as the story progresses, the tension from panel to panel ratchets up as she fights not only the environment, cleverly a flood instead of fire, but parts of herself. The story is chock full of imagery from different pantheons, mainly Egyptian and greek, and I found myself googling description from the various panels to delve into the deeper meaning that Ayala was shooting for.
Overall, Submerged was a beautiful story to read. It wasn't perfect for me. There were pacing issues that I struggled with, but overall, I found myself going back to different panels and rereading. It is a dark and deep story. That is well drawn and well executed. It has Latinx representation that you do not often find in stories of this type. It is a story of love, loss, beauty, and what it means to be human. It is well worth the read.
The imagery is vivid, almost to the point of beautiful. But tempering that beauty is an undercurrent of pain and fear that penetrates the panels. Elysia is in pain. She is terrified of not finding her brother and failing him, terrified of the creatures and images she has to face, and most of all she is terrified of meeting the inner darker parts of herself and her history. It is a journey of self discovery, but it is a journey of forgiveness. We, as readers, become invested in this tale. We want to know what is going to happen. Ayala drops bits and pieces of the narrative as the story progresses, the tension from panel to panel ratchets up as she fights not only the environment, cleverly a flood instead of fire, but parts of herself. The story is chock full of imagery from different pantheons, mainly Egyptian and greek, and I found myself googling description from the various panels to delve into the deeper meaning that Ayala was shooting for.
Overall, Submerged was a beautiful story to read. It wasn't perfect for me. There were pacing issues that I struggled with, but overall, I found myself going back to different panels and rereading. It is a dark and deep story. That is well drawn and well executed. It has Latinx representation that you do not often find in stories of this type. It is a story of love, loss, beauty, and what it means to be human. It is well worth the read.
powisamy's review against another edition
RTC
I have been enjoyed Vita Ayala's comics since I discovered them last year. While I didn't completely fall in love with The Wilds, I still enjoyed the writing and after buying some more of their comics, I was excited to read more.
It was weird because although I did enjoy the comic overall, I feel like as a whole it has grown on me the more that I think about it. It was one of the reasons that I discovered I hadn't written the review because I went to click on it.
I think it was definitely the chemistry of the characters and I also really liked the overall art style and the tone of the comic. I also enjoyed the main character as a whole. Even though it says volume 1, I'm not sure there is another one but if there is I will definitely continue. If not, I will just continue reading more of their work!
I have been enjoyed Vita Ayala's comics since I discovered them last year. While I didn't completely fall in love with The Wilds, I still enjoyed the writing and after buying some more of their comics, I was excited to read more.
It was weird because although I did enjoy the comic overall, I feel like as a whole it has grown on me the more that I think about it. It was one of the reasons that I discovered I hadn't written the review because I went to click on it.
I think it was definitely the chemistry of the characters and I also really liked the overall art style and the tone of the comic. I also enjoyed the main character as a whole. Even though it says volume 1, I'm not sure there is another one but if there is I will definitely continue. If not, I will just continue reading more of their work!
nikksbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful look at a young woman's grief, loss, and guilt. The art is gorgeous, and color is used so interestingly in this one. I understood the characters and world almost instantly and love the fact that we aren't sure if it's in all in her head or a physical journey through the underworld and back. Read this so quick, and loved every second (even if it made me cry).
legs_mcgee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
indeedithappens's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, Outing, Abandonment, Violence, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, and Bullying
arkham's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
bibliothecaris's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
queenkoko's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting read. 2.5 stars for sure.
What I liked: The main character was hispanic, female, and a lesbian. Thats about it. Also, the artwork was good.
What I didn't like: The confusing plot, I am not sure why Elysia had to go on this journey. Also her family was so depressing and weak willed. Her father was abusive, her mother was an idiot, and her brother was selfish. I didn't feel bad for any of them.
Artwork: Really good, very clean and smooth. The green and blue hues are effective in this.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked: The main character was hispanic, female, and a lesbian. Thats about it. Also, the artwork was good.
What I didn't like: The confusing plot, I am not sure why Elysia had to go on this journey. Also her family was so depressing and weak willed. Her father was abusive, her mother was an idiot, and her brother was selfish. I didn't feel bad for any of them.
Artwork: Really good, very clean and smooth. The green and blue hues are effective in this.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.