Artesia Vol. 1 & 2, The Killer, The Awakening & Robotika - Graphic Novel Review

The comment to be iterated about the first inkling of Archaia Comics examined is that they are leaps and bounds above in terms of risks and sheer artistic vision in many aspects of graphic novels that have been seen in a while. It approaches the idea in very genre but "complete world" epics that give one a sense of depth and intelligence both for their intensity of influence but also distinct talent. Most involve an aspect of isolation but the different processes by which it gets there is quite intrinsic. Artesia along has its whole world figured out motivated by a vicious and strategic female warrior general. The Killer reflects on an assassin's approach to the essence of being akin to a philosopher of blood. Robitika and The Awakening use establish genres but place the artwork in terms of what is expected to create a whole new perception of what is being seen.The Killer The epitome of being within the mind of an assassin or a serial killer is understanding his or her motivation. Here the identity is isolation and clarity. This man understands that his psyche has problems but knows that the positives outweigh the negatives for a man in his position. The realization more functions when the trap is closing around him. The one thing he fails to realize is that no one is indispensible. What the artist is able to capture is the split second moment of decision contained in the dark blue hues contrasted with the undeniable reds of the kill. What is also interesting is that even the light scenes in Venezuela have an undercurrent of intensity running through them with requisite force. The read is quite and images fleeting despite the story barely mid stride.Artesia This intensive epic understands its roots in the aspects of Conan and Red Sonja. The key here is a mixture of witchcraft and the sword. Artesia herself belongs to both worlds and knowing this allows her to function above all. The battles scenes captured have a sense of chaos but it is the darker one-on-one moments that truly bring the structure to a head. Artesia in this volume is betrayed by her king who sends her out to make sure that the intruding armies are kept at bay. The reality is that he fears her power even more. There is no greater evil than a woman scorned. However, like certain images of "The Dark Tower", Artesia revels in the beauty of this darkness. When she comes upon her adversary of a devil world in a horned beast/man, the foreboding of the image is thick and lustful in its ability which makes it all the more telling. As this volume rides to an end, the story narrative seems to take a little more front estate in side perspectives in terms of her and her brother forging alliances. However when a dagger is stuck through her heart she is forced to take a decisive action which is worthy of any great epic and gives the climax thrust.Artesia Afield The second book of the adventures of Artesia is not as intrinsic to its nature as its first incarnation but instead permeates to the "Gladiator" incarnation in terms of its approach to battle-fueled plans. After Artesia beheaded the king in Vol. 1, she refuses to take on the role of Queen. Instead she marches into consistent campaigns, always rebelling against her primal calling but still indulging in her carnal desires. Her resolve ultimately comes into focus due to the sacrifice of her beloved sisters into the afterworld as a result of her scorn and ambition. These thoughts swirl in her head like a cauldron. With the exception of a leering and mysterious serpent king, the imagery is little different from the first volume though similar in its intensity though it offers nothing new. The panes of action do become more vista-like in the second book as the end approaches, forlorn of the fact that Artesia names herself Queen to lead her minions into the next battle.Robotika The fusion perception here takes aspects of Samurais and Westerns and places them within an offbeat, time-altered landscape that uses the redemption of guns to perceive its technology. The thought process seems to be fueled by an interest in biotechnology, not unlike, at times, but similar to Clive Barker but with less sinister implications of rote. The art is fluid with a simple slurring that makes it a bit brutish and challenging but nevertheless readable. The alternate character of the Geisha, bald and lethal in her countenance, brings to mind a similar character explored in "The Clone Wars" who rebels against her good and dark nature. The ultimate progression comes within this samurai's ability to retrieve a mystical item that might imbue its wearer. The art, especially in the letter of the Geisha, forces you to read in a different way specifically in the lettering. This has the tendency of making the reader more attentive of the words actually being said. The images aren't as dreamlike as they are skewed in the essence of man. "Westworld" has a metaphor here as the guns and robotics swirl in an incandescent blur which allows one to see merely a trickle of what might be there.The Awakening The zombie genre takes on many shapes and forms from the classical to the super sensationalist within the modern culture. Seeing new perceptions from a noir point of view takes on a different idealism. The essence of the relecutant hero works intensely within this genre because ultimately it is not "his" problem but he becomes drawn into its claws. The strength of the art here is in its ability to obscure. One is always trying to make out distinct images for naught which adds to the sense of confusion. The narrative follows a girl who comes to our detective, seemingly crazy from fever, talking about a corporate backlash which causes the zombie outbreak as part of a government conspiracy. As is apparent, the aspect of this kind of outbreak has been examined before with the inclusion of zombies from "Day Of The Dead" to "Resident Evil". The difference here is purely due to the ambience which is much like the intenseness of the PS3 game "Hard Rain". Ambience goes quite a long way if the story is clear and pointed in its metaphor with within it's precise if not pedantic abilities to forbode as the appearance of demonic forces suggests.