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benwatts30's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
indeedithappens's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ruthsic's review
4.0
Warnings: violence
This first volume of Paradiso introduces us to a post-apocalyptic city that is alive in a way, and the humans that live inside and outside it. Paradiso is supposedly a haven, but is fiercely guarded by bionic creatures called Guardians (who are like spare parts stacked on each other inside a trench coat, literally!) and the entry for which is very difficult for those living on the outskirts. Jack, a man with a fragmented memory of his childhood, is in possession of a miraculous piece of tech called Pneumas, and is looking for entry into the city. But the very piece of tech is a hurdle to him, with the humans outside wanting to possess it, and the Guardians trying to take it from him.
The first thing I would like to comment upon with this graphic novel is the art -it is a splendid piece of work, with each panel lovingly detailed and colored, and a gritty tone overall to it that is reminiscent of the Mad Max: Fury Road aesthetic. It is the best part of the graphic novel, to be honest. When it comes to the story, though, it starts off very confusing - and because it tries (operative word) to establish some sort of allegorical meaning of life through the city, it gets lost in that and doesn't establish the world until well half-way through it. See, the thing is, in the start, I don't even know which of the characters are inside the city, which are outside, and it did not click in until like the 4th chapter. The plot is slow to unfold, and leaves more questions than answers by the end of the volume.
In short, impressive artwork, good plot, but slow and confusing build up.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Image Comics, via Edelweiss.
This first volume of Paradiso introduces us to a post-apocalyptic city that is alive in a way, and the humans that live inside and outside it. Paradiso is supposedly a haven, but is fiercely guarded by bionic creatures called Guardians (who are like spare parts stacked on each other inside a trench coat, literally!) and the entry for which is very difficult for those living on the outskirts. Jack, a man with a fragmented memory of his childhood, is in possession of a miraculous piece of tech called Pneumas, and is looking for entry into the city. But the very piece of tech is a hurdle to him, with the humans outside wanting to possess it, and the Guardians trying to take it from him.
The first thing I would like to comment upon with this graphic novel is the art -it is a splendid piece of work, with each panel lovingly detailed and colored, and a gritty tone overall to it that is reminiscent of the Mad Max: Fury Road aesthetic. It is the best part of the graphic novel, to be honest. When it comes to the story, though, it starts off very confusing - and because it tries (operative word) to establish some sort of allegorical meaning of life through the city, it gets lost in that and doesn't establish the world until well half-way through it. See, the thing is, in the start, I don't even know which of the characters are inside the city, which are outside, and it did not click in until like the 4th chapter. The plot is slow to unfold, and leaves more questions than answers by the end of the volume.
In short, impressive artwork, good plot, but slow and confusing build up.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Image Comics, via Edelweiss.
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