Al Harahap
Aug 21, 2004, 04:50 am
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0804/Deicide.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0804/Deicidet.jpg" align=left alt="Deicide"></a>Reviewer: Al Harahap, al_harahap@comixfan.cjb.net
Quick Rating: Great!
144 pages
U.S. $14.95
Suggested for Mature Readers
Writer: Carlos Portela
Artist: Das Pastoras
Translators: Justin Kelly & Sasha Watson
Book Designer & Letterer: Thierry Frissen
Editors, Original Edition: Philippe Hauri & Fabrice Giger
Assistant Editor, Collected Edition: Susan M. Garrett
Editor, Collected Edition: Paul Benjamin
Check this out if you like: Epic fantasy adventures like those set in Final Fantasy or Dungeons & Dragons worlds.
<center><hr width=75%></center>
Story Title: “Path of the Dead”
A champion warrior must choose between his devotion to his one true love and that to his god.
CAST:
Agon: Hero on a quest to save his lover’s soul.
Aldara: Agon’s physically dead lover.
Beluch: Lion-man warrior, joins Agon’s quest out of personal debt and sympathy.
Cekhua: Beluch’s human wife, joins Agon and the party.
Hattia: Demon princess, forced to help the party through a magical armband controlling her.
Barmurabi: Cunning thief and magician, joins the party for a fee.
Yor-Kha: Agon’s dead archenemy, turned undead warrior by the evil god Madorak.
Madorak: Evil god of death, slowly taking over devotion from other gods, holds soul of Agon’s lover, Aldara.
Mursilkard: Evil god, demon king of hell, father of the demon princess Hattia.
Menhiakan: Evil god, giant serpent who eats sacrificial virgins.
Nurun: Good goddess, guides Agon and his party on their quest.
If you haven’t tried at least one of the recently American-published European Humanoids comics, you’re simply missing out on the best comics you’ve never read. I say “never read” because Humanoids dishes out some of the most different and imaginative stories that can be found on the comic page – relative to American comics, both mainstream and indie, as well as Asian manga.
deicide. de-i-cide. (noun) 1. The act of killing a god or other being of a divine nature. 2. One concerned in putting a god to death.
In Deicide, creative team writer Carlos Portella and artist Das Pastoras take readers on a journey of adventure, drama, comedy, and love. The hero Agon’s faith is challenged when his village sacrifices his one true love, Aldara, to their choice god, Madorak, the god of death. He then embarks on a quest to kill Madorak and rescue the soul of Aldara. On the surface, the story is a typical epic plot with an obvious beginning, conflict, and end. But on a deeper level, Deicide works as a commentary on spiritual conditions of human society. We have Agon committing blasphemy towards many gods, and even with a mad-on to kill one, as a picture of the degradation of faith and religion in our society. Yet, Agon’s perspective is that of a freethinker who’s not willing to be set into the spiritual template (religion) his society imposes upon him. Through his eyes, readers see how ridiculous some practices of devotion can be towards divine figures. Portela even changes gears into satire in some scenes, such as one where a god dies, and his feebleminded followers are shown to instantly adopt another figure of worship so instantly and so easily to replace their need for a spiritual anchor.
On the way, Agon picks up an entourage of interesting characters, themselves with different contributions to the party and motivations for joining. Portela develops these characters so deeply, that in some scenes the book almost reads like that of an equally weighted ensemble cast. In fact, Portela’s characterisation is so balanced, that I found myself surprised when a character seemingly built up to be an ongoing supporting character suddenly dies – which, by the way, happens a few times, so there’s unpredictability abound. My only qualm is that some of the dialogue can seem a little out of place, not to the point of being choppy, but not as smooth as I think it could be. Which is understandable, considering the book is translated from its original French.
Pastoras’ fully painted art is to die for. Each panel is its own masterpiece, ranging from mid-shots to close-ups, all intricately detailed. Unlike some fantasy comics that can feel like a disharmonious salad, the character designs here follow one theme of a hot, arid, and desert-filled world. It may seem homogenous upon flipping through the book, but once you begin reading, Pastoras lures you into his fantasy realm because of this visual consistency. Pastoras’ colours, too, are nothing short of spectacular, ripe with earthly reds, yellows, and browns, but somehow able to avoid being monotonous. But buyer beware, the book contains some scenes of sexuality and full frontal nudity. For the “mature reader,” these visual aides certainly add layers to the overall mood of this world and its subject matters.
ART:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg
STORY:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humnone.jpg
<center><hr width=75%></center>
Story Title: “The Lion’s Share”
A rebellious warrior outsmarts his whole village and a god to save his loved one.
CAST:
Kamir: Village warrior, rebellious against old laws and customs.
Adha: Village sweetheart, sexually deflowered by Kamir.
Bharran: Lion god awaiting human sacrifice.
“The Lion’s Share” is a short story created by the same team of Carlos Portela and Das Pastoras before the epic Deicide. Obviously, this short story is not as developed as its later incarnation. But readers will be able to pick up on the many controversial themes that Portela later transfers to Deicide. Here, the warrior named Kamir and his lover Adha are found committing the illegal act of fornication with a sacrificial virgin, and both reprimanded, with her being offered to the lion god, Bharran. After reading Deicide: “Path of the Dead,” it will become obvious to the reader which characters and themes serve as prototype to the bigger epic. The funny thing is: even knowing this, “The Lion’s Share” can stand on its own as a story that’s merely set in the same world.
ART:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humhalf.jpg
STORY:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humnone.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humnone.jpg
<center><hr width=75%></center>
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humnone.jpg
Buy this issue online at X-World Comics and save! ( http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1462&cat=HUMANOIDS)
Quick Rating: Great!
144 pages
U.S. $14.95
Suggested for Mature Readers
Writer: Carlos Portela
Artist: Das Pastoras
Translators: Justin Kelly & Sasha Watson
Book Designer & Letterer: Thierry Frissen
Editors, Original Edition: Philippe Hauri & Fabrice Giger
Assistant Editor, Collected Edition: Susan M. Garrett
Editor, Collected Edition: Paul Benjamin
Check this out if you like: Epic fantasy adventures like those set in Final Fantasy or Dungeons & Dragons worlds.
<center><hr width=75%></center>
Story Title: “Path of the Dead”
A champion warrior must choose between his devotion to his one true love and that to his god.
CAST:
Agon: Hero on a quest to save his lover’s soul.
Aldara: Agon’s physically dead lover.
Beluch: Lion-man warrior, joins Agon’s quest out of personal debt and sympathy.
Cekhua: Beluch’s human wife, joins Agon and the party.
Hattia: Demon princess, forced to help the party through a magical armband controlling her.
Barmurabi: Cunning thief and magician, joins the party for a fee.
Yor-Kha: Agon’s dead archenemy, turned undead warrior by the evil god Madorak.
Madorak: Evil god of death, slowly taking over devotion from other gods, holds soul of Agon’s lover, Aldara.
Mursilkard: Evil god, demon king of hell, father of the demon princess Hattia.
Menhiakan: Evil god, giant serpent who eats sacrificial virgins.
Nurun: Good goddess, guides Agon and his party on their quest.
If you haven’t tried at least one of the recently American-published European Humanoids comics, you’re simply missing out on the best comics you’ve never read. I say “never read” because Humanoids dishes out some of the most different and imaginative stories that can be found on the comic page – relative to American comics, both mainstream and indie, as well as Asian manga.
deicide. de-i-cide. (noun) 1. The act of killing a god or other being of a divine nature. 2. One concerned in putting a god to death.
In Deicide, creative team writer Carlos Portella and artist Das Pastoras take readers on a journey of adventure, drama, comedy, and love. The hero Agon’s faith is challenged when his village sacrifices his one true love, Aldara, to their choice god, Madorak, the god of death. He then embarks on a quest to kill Madorak and rescue the soul of Aldara. On the surface, the story is a typical epic plot with an obvious beginning, conflict, and end. But on a deeper level, Deicide works as a commentary on spiritual conditions of human society. We have Agon committing blasphemy towards many gods, and even with a mad-on to kill one, as a picture of the degradation of faith and religion in our society. Yet, Agon’s perspective is that of a freethinker who’s not willing to be set into the spiritual template (religion) his society imposes upon him. Through his eyes, readers see how ridiculous some practices of devotion can be towards divine figures. Portela even changes gears into satire in some scenes, such as one where a god dies, and his feebleminded followers are shown to instantly adopt another figure of worship so instantly and so easily to replace their need for a spiritual anchor.
On the way, Agon picks up an entourage of interesting characters, themselves with different contributions to the party and motivations for joining. Portela develops these characters so deeply, that in some scenes the book almost reads like that of an equally weighted ensemble cast. In fact, Portela’s characterisation is so balanced, that I found myself surprised when a character seemingly built up to be an ongoing supporting character suddenly dies – which, by the way, happens a few times, so there’s unpredictability abound. My only qualm is that some of the dialogue can seem a little out of place, not to the point of being choppy, but not as smooth as I think it could be. Which is understandable, considering the book is translated from its original French.
Pastoras’ fully painted art is to die for. Each panel is its own masterpiece, ranging from mid-shots to close-ups, all intricately detailed. Unlike some fantasy comics that can feel like a disharmonious salad, the character designs here follow one theme of a hot, arid, and desert-filled world. It may seem homogenous upon flipping through the book, but once you begin reading, Pastoras lures you into his fantasy realm because of this visual consistency. Pastoras’ colours, too, are nothing short of spectacular, ripe with earthly reds, yellows, and browns, but somehow able to avoid being monotonous. But buyer beware, the book contains some scenes of sexuality and full frontal nudity. For the “mature reader,” these visual aides certainly add layers to the overall mood of this world and its subject matters.
ART:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg
STORY:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humnone.jpg
<center><hr width=75%></center>
Story Title: “The Lion’s Share”
A rebellious warrior outsmarts his whole village and a god to save his loved one.
CAST:
Kamir: Village warrior, rebellious against old laws and customs.
Adha: Village sweetheart, sexually deflowered by Kamir.
Bharran: Lion god awaiting human sacrifice.
“The Lion’s Share” is a short story created by the same team of Carlos Portela and Das Pastoras before the epic Deicide. Obviously, this short story is not as developed as its later incarnation. But readers will be able to pick up on the many controversial themes that Portela later transfers to Deicide. Here, the warrior named Kamir and his lover Adha are found committing the illegal act of fornication with a sacrificial virgin, and both reprimanded, with her being offered to the lion god, Bharran. After reading Deicide: “Path of the Dead,” it will become obvious to the reader which characters and themes serve as prototype to the bigger epic. The funny thing is: even knowing this, “The Lion’s Share” can stand on its own as a story that’s merely set in the same world.
ART:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humhalf.jpg
STORY:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humnone.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humnone.jpg
<center><hr width=75%></center>
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/humnone.jpg
Buy this issue online at X-World Comics and save! ( http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1462&cat=HUMANOIDS)