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geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Zojaqan: The Complete Series' by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly with art by Nathan C. Gooden and Vittorio Astone was a title that I liked more at a visceral level than I did on the surface, but I did like it.
Shannon Kind wakes up in a weird, beautiful world and has to fight for her life. Along the way, and as much time passes, she forms the world to her liking. Tribes of beings rise up and build statues to her. There is more to Shannon's story though. She is also a grieving mother, and her story on Earth keeps winding up on thisnew planet she finds herself on. Can she deal with the grief and not mess up her new home?
The story has weird narrative that works but doesn't. The story doesn't really feel all that complete. There are odd flashbacks that feel out of order.
And yet, I liked this interesting, gutsy story with an interesting hero at it's heart. I also liked the art, which feels like a perfect fit for this odd, emotional ride.
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.
Shannon Kind wakes up in a weird, beautiful world and has to fight for her life. Along the way, and as much time passes, she forms the world to her liking. Tribes of beings rise up and build statues to her. There is more to Shannon's story though. She is also a grieving mother, and her story on Earth keeps winding up on thisnew planet she finds herself on. Can she deal with the grief and not mess up her new home?
The story has weird narrative that works but doesn't. The story doesn't really feel all that complete. There are odd flashbacks that feel out of order.
And yet, I liked this interesting, gutsy story with an interesting hero at it's heart. I also liked the art, which feels like a perfect fit for this odd, emotional ride.
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.
thebooklender's review against another edition
4.0
Shannon Kind is stuck in a strange world. One moment, she was on Earth, grieving her dead son. The next, she's in a prehistoric alien land in which she can't seem to stay anchored in time, slipping forward months, years, millennia. During each period of temporal stability, she interacts with the local creatures - protecting and teaching the native prey species (to whom she becomes a god-like figure) from the violent and monstrous predators. These interactions have huge implications in the evolution of both species, which Shannon witnesses with frustration as she leaps forward over and over again.
There is one major issue I had with this book: the illegibility of the text of the Zoja narration - written in an olde worlde font that is very difficult to read, especially on a screen. Other than this, I really liked the art style, and appreciated the ambitious scope of the story.
Zojaqan is complex, intelligent science fiction story packed with time travel, alternate worlds, aliens, evolution, best intentions, unintended consequences and lots of blood, sweat and tears.
There is one major issue I had with this book: the illegibility of the text of the Zoja narration - written in an olde worlde font that is very difficult to read, especially on a screen. Other than this, I really liked the art style, and appreciated the ambitious scope of the story.
Zojaqan is complex, intelligent science fiction story packed with time travel, alternate worlds, aliens, evolution, best intentions, unintended consequences and lots of blood, sweat and tears.
suzanneke's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
elenavarg's review against another edition
4.0
Agh, I forgot this book existed!!!! Good thing my dumb brain remembered it again, because it was an incredible read! I really need this as a physical comic...
trulybooked's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of this for free in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, I'm trying to formulate my thoughts for this review, but Zojaqan is stunning. I mean that in the literal sense. I'm dumbfounded.
A beautifully wrought thesis on grief and control, Zojaqan follows Shannon Kind. We follow her through the beautifully drawn pages to see the inevitable end of her interference in the creation of a civilization.
It is haunting and thought provoking and beautiful. I can't recommend it enough.
Although it would be good to note that this is not a book for the faint of heart. Lots of violence here, folks.
For more reviews like this, check out Truly Booked.
Honestly, I'm trying to formulate my thoughts for this review, but Zojaqan is stunning. I mean that in the literal sense. I'm dumbfounded.
A beautifully wrought thesis on grief and control, Zojaqan follows Shannon Kind. We follow her through the beautifully drawn pages to see the inevitable end of her interference in the creation of a civilization.
It is haunting and thought provoking and beautiful. I can't recommend it enough.
Although it would be good to note that this is not a book for the faint of heart. Lots of violence here, folks.
For more reviews like this, check out Truly Booked.
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
4.0
3 1/2 Stars
I received a copy of Zojaqan through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Zojaqan is a one of a kind story, and one that isn’t easily forgotten. If you’re looking for a complete story that isn’t like anything else out there…well you may want to consider giving this one a try.
Shannon Kind doesn’t strike you as an extraordinary character at first, and by that I mean she doesn’t appear superhuman or powered or anything like that. No, she’s simply put, a human. She’s a grieving mother who’s desperately searching for an answer to what happened. She’s looking for solace, for resolution, and for so much more.
Her search takes a different turn than one would expect, however, and that’s what makes this story so unique. A lot of what happens here can be considered metaphorical…but it can also be enjoyed as it is, without being heavily analyzed. Regardless of how you choose to interpret it, the emotional pain of the characters will roll off the page and make you really feel for what is happening.
Spoiler Warning
Zojaqan, as I stated above, is completely different. However, that also means it takes a little bit more effort to get into it. I’d say it wasn’t until the tenth or fifteenth page that I felt like I was really following the story they were trying to tell me.
In a way I actually wish that this graphic novel had been longer. I truly do feel that the intent would have read better had it been spread out a bit more. As it is, things felt a bit rushed here and there. Now, I have to admit that it’s quite possible that this was intentionally done. Shannon, while having all the time in the world, was constantly jumping around, always rushing in to deal with this or that…so it’s possible that we were meant to feel that way as well. If that’s the case, then it was actually brilliantly done, if perhaps a little too subtle.
Zojaqan is not the story to read if you’re looking for facts and answers. This is more about; well it’s about the journey for answers, more than the answers themselves. Or at least that’s how I chose to see things. If others interpreted different, I would love to hear it. Sometimes that’s what truly makes something like this shine – the ability for everyone to see it differently, and the conversations it’ll ignite.
I received a copy of Zojaqan through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Zojaqan is a one of a kind story, and one that isn’t easily forgotten. If you’re looking for a complete story that isn’t like anything else out there…well you may want to consider giving this one a try.
Shannon Kind doesn’t strike you as an extraordinary character at first, and by that I mean she doesn’t appear superhuman or powered or anything like that. No, she’s simply put, a human. She’s a grieving mother who’s desperately searching for an answer to what happened. She’s looking for solace, for resolution, and for so much more.
Her search takes a different turn than one would expect, however, and that’s what makes this story so unique. A lot of what happens here can be considered metaphorical…but it can also be enjoyed as it is, without being heavily analyzed. Regardless of how you choose to interpret it, the emotional pain of the characters will roll off the page and make you really feel for what is happening.
Spoiler Warning
Zojaqan, as I stated above, is completely different. However, that also means it takes a little bit more effort to get into it. I’d say it wasn’t until the tenth or fifteenth page that I felt like I was really following the story they were trying to tell me.
In a way I actually wish that this graphic novel had been longer. I truly do feel that the intent would have read better had it been spread out a bit more. As it is, things felt a bit rushed here and there. Now, I have to admit that it’s quite possible that this was intentionally done. Shannon, while having all the time in the world, was constantly jumping around, always rushing in to deal with this or that…so it’s possible that we were meant to feel that way as well. If that’s the case, then it was actually brilliantly done, if perhaps a little too subtle.
Zojaqan is not the story to read if you’re looking for facts and answers. This is more about; well it’s about the journey for answers, more than the answers themselves. Or at least that’s how I chose to see things. If others interpreted different, I would love to hear it. Sometimes that’s what truly makes something like this shine – the ability for everyone to see it differently, and the conversations it’ll ignite.
catwhisperer's review against another edition
4.0
This is a standalone, complete story. That always comes with pros and cons, especially with a story like this that takes a lot of risks. The best I can describe without being spoilery is that this seems to be an allegorical sci-fi story that largely revolves around a mother's grief. There are interesting insights to the beginnings of religions, the consequences of rage and hubris, and the movement of time. I recommend it if you're looking for something a bit more head-scratchy/deep but don't mind some pulpy violence. Won't be everyone's cuppa tea.
jmanchester0's review against another edition
5.0
Soon will come the armies.
The churches, the betrayals‰Ы_
The light and the void and the light again‰Ы_
A story about time, about life, about death.
About eternity.
Mortality.
Shan lives in this epic comic.
The imagination and art in this volume are breathtaking.
The depth and breadth of this story are amazing.
This really spoke to me.
In darkness, we go to places unimaginable. Our dreams turn into metaphors for our lives. The art we create becomes metaphors for what we live.
The longer we live, the more the darkness tries to surround us. As we evolve, that darkness evolves. We spend every day of our lives fighting it.
Sometimes the darkness wins.
Sometimes we live it over and over.
Soon will come the armies.
The churches, the betrayals‰Ы_
Thanks to NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Vault Comics for a copy in return for an honest review.
The churches, the betrayals‰Ы_
The light and the void and the light again‰Ы_
A story about time, about life, about death.
About eternity.
Mortality.
Shan lives in this epic comic.
The imagination and art in this volume are breathtaking.
The depth and breadth of this story are amazing.
This really spoke to me.
In darkness, we go to places unimaginable. Our dreams turn into metaphors for our lives. The art we create becomes metaphors for what we live.
The longer we live, the more the darkness tries to surround us. As we evolve, that darkness evolves. We spend every day of our lives fighting it.
Sometimes the darkness wins.
Sometimes we live it over and over.
Soon will come the armies.
The churches, the betrayals‰Ы_
Thanks to NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Vault Comics for a copy in return for an honest review.
indigo_han's review against another edition
5.0
It’s taken me a while to come back to review this title. It’s almost indescribable, but it is haunting, beautiful, and so full of layers that it is almost impossible to put out of your head.
Grief, rage, time, the best of intentions gone wrong, the strength of women, the power of change...... it’s all in there.
And it’s heart wrenching, and brilliant.
Grief, rage, time, the best of intentions gone wrong, the strength of women, the power of change...... it’s all in there.
And it’s heart wrenching, and brilliant.
krys_and_books's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
***
Shannon Kind finds herself on an unusual alien planet amongst two species, one prey and the other predator, following the loss of her son. (Not entirely sure how recent the loss is and how long after it happens she appears on this planet though.) Shannon sets herself up as a protector to the prey species, eventually taking on the name Zoja, and takes them under her wings becoming a godlike figure to them. She happens to jump through time, sometimes a couple years, sometimes hundred or thousands. During these jumps she sees the Zoja evolve, largely under her words and how they get interpreted and distorted and end up the exact opposite of what she’d intended.
This was a fantastic story that looks at grief, loss and growth.
The art was beautiful, fantastical sometimes even. Not sure it’ll be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a wonderful story.
***
Shannon Kind finds herself on an unusual alien planet amongst two species, one prey and the other predator, following the loss of her son. (Not entirely sure how recent the loss is and how long after it happens she appears on this planet though.) Shannon sets herself up as a protector to the prey species, eventually taking on the name Zoja, and takes them under her wings becoming a godlike figure to them. She happens to jump through time, sometimes a couple years, sometimes hundred or thousands. During these jumps she sees the Zoja evolve, largely under her words and how they get interpreted and distorted and end up the exact opposite of what she’d intended.
This was a fantastic story that looks at grief, loss and growth.
The art was beautiful, fantastical sometimes even. Not sure it’ll be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a wonderful story.