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lannthacker's review against another edition
3.0
This volume contained a lot of set up, exposition, and back story. Very solidly sci-fi with beautiful art, I'm hopeful that volume 2 will progress the story.
helpfulsnowman's review against another edition
2.0
Just the beginning of the story here, what we're basically talking about is space diplomacy. Which is sort of like regular diplomacy except that it involves really weird aliens, shooting lasers, and generally more weirdos.
Here's what I don't get about space diplomacy: Why do space diplomats always seem so surprised that things go to shit and they have to stomp some ass? If I've learned one thing from science fiction, it's that throwing in the word "space" before anything means that it's going to involve stomping ass. A research station? Boring. A SPACE Research station? Prepare to be attacked by some weird alien poltergeist. Going for a walk? Yeah, enjoy the fall colors, grandpa. Going for a SPACE walk? I hope you brought a laser sword because you are definitely going to need it. Opera versus SPACE Opera? Forget it.
This one reminded me a little bit of Mass Effect in that the characters go from place to place trying to solve problems. Also in that I felt like I should like it more than I did for some reason. Anyway, if you're a Mass Effect fan, you'd probably get something out of this too.
Here's what I don't get about space diplomacy: Why do space diplomats always seem so surprised that things go to shit and they have to stomp some ass? If I've learned one thing from science fiction, it's that throwing in the word "space" before anything means that it's going to involve stomping ass. A research station? Boring. A SPACE Research station? Prepare to be attacked by some weird alien poltergeist. Going for a walk? Yeah, enjoy the fall colors, grandpa. Going for a SPACE walk? I hope you brought a laser sword because you are definitely going to need it. Opera versus SPACE Opera? Forget it.
This one reminded me a little bit of Mass Effect in that the characters go from place to place trying to solve problems. Also in that I felt like I should like it more than I did for some reason. Anyway, if you're a Mass Effect fan, you'd probably get something out of this too.
jameshowlett's review against another edition
2.0
Çizimler çok güzel ama konuya hakim olmakta biraz zorlandım. Ana konu basit gerçi ama arka plandaki detaylar biraz kafa karıştırıyor. Kim kimdir, hangi gezegendendir, hangi ırktandır vs. kısmı biraz bulanık. Okudukça açılıyor gerçi ama biraz yordu açıkçası.
jokoloyo's review against another edition
4.0
One more evidence European graphic novels have better space opera stories than American graphic novels. More review to come.
maiakobabe's review against another edition
3.0
Orbital vol 1: Scars is a sci-fi comic very much in the vein of Star Wars. In the 23rd century, the human race is admitted for the first time to the intergalactic, multiracial peacekeeping organization which overlooks the galaxy. This story follows the first human cadet allowed in, and the other enforcing officer he is partnered with- both of whom soon realize that humans are not welcomed by all into this new alliance.
This book is extremely beautiful and well drawn, but there is one aspect of the art that I would like to complain about here for a minute. Why, oh why, do all of the extraterrestrials have to be basically humanoids with a few extra arms and blue or orange skin? I know why they usually are in movies- budget reasons, cheaper to have aliens played by humans (though with CGI that's not the excuse it used to be). But this is a COMIC. The illustrator could have drawn the aliens whatever way he wanted! It costs nothing more to draw them as bowls of liquid, clouds of gas, intelligent plants, or mountain sized slabs of sentient silicon. And yet, sadly, pretty much every non-human in this book is... basically a human with weird eyes or fur or tentacles instead of arms. Very well draw, mind you- just not very different from us.
This book is extremely beautiful and well drawn, but there is one aspect of the art that I would like to complain about here for a minute. Why, oh why, do all of the extraterrestrials have to be basically humanoids with a few extra arms and blue or orange skin? I know why they usually are in movies- budget reasons, cheaper to have aliens played by humans (though with CGI that's not the excuse it used to be). But this is a COMIC. The illustrator could have drawn the aliens whatever way he wanted! It costs nothing more to draw them as bowls of liquid, clouds of gas, intelligent plants, or mountain sized slabs of sentient silicon. And yet, sadly, pretty much every non-human in this book is... basically a human with weird eyes or fur or tentacles instead of arms. Very well draw, mind you- just not very different from us.
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