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Nordguard #1
Across Thin Ice
Pi and her team of sled dogs, part of the Nordguard elite, strike out northwards on a dangerous rescue mission. Bandits, thin ice, and inclement weather they can handle. It's what they don't know about their mission that can kill them...
75 pages, Hardcover
First published June 25, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 4, 2015
‘Across Thin Ice’ is the first issue of ‘Nordguard’ series, and who doesn’t love a good comic book?
Story – 5 stars. I really love the Far North stories, and this one was captivating, with a good old ‘Jack London’ feel about it. A disaster strikes one of the mines in the northern territories, and so a team of sled dogs is sent out for the rescue, toward the greater danger than the heroes can imagine. Throughout the story Pi and her team have to brave bad weather, frozen rivers and ice drifts as well as skirmishes with bandits – and even though they never get to come face-to-face with the mysterious villains, the story doesn’t lose its excitement, and I applaud the author for the mastery of this level.
Art – 5 stars. Amazing art is why we love comics, right? And in this case, the art is beautiful. There is marvelous scenery of snowy wildness and northern lights. There are beautifully drawn animal faces and anatomy. There are lots of details that make you admire the pages. My personal favourite got to be the scene when James McKay treats the wounds of a random traveler the team saves. The said traveler relays some important information there, so at first your full attention is on the conversation. Then you realize that McKay is working in the second plan all the time – cleaning the wound, removing the bullet, sewing it up and bandaging, one step in every panel. I admire the accuracy with which this scene and the likes of it are drawn.
Pace – 3 stars. The pacing of the story is inconsistent, and I consider it one of the drawbacks. The story started with a bang by showing us a life and death situation on the mine that sets the whole plot in motion, but then it abruptly slowed down as Pi and her team are introduced. To be honest, I was quite bored throughout the first half of the comic. It’s only halfway through when the action starts and flies by practically non-stop, with only a couple of breaks to let the heroes – and readers, - to catch their breath. At that point I was sitting on the edge of my seat. However, I do believe that the story would’ve benefited if the pacing was more even and not so slow during the first half of the book.
Characters – 3 stars. ‘Across Thin Ice’ follows a team of protagonists, so it would be unfair to single out a specific hero, though there are several who get more screen time. However, I had trouble sympathizing and identifying with most prominent character. In a way, having characters with flaws and faults is a good thing because it makes them more human, but being annoyed with a character’s behaviour doesn’t help my enjoyment of the story. In a way, Pi’s risk-taking and London’s overcaution balance each other and make them a good team – but I still think that Pi is too quick to rush into the fray. She is the leader responsible for the whole team, and her protectiveness toward her charges is a good thing, but her total inability and unwillingness to listen to someone who also obviously cares for the team is not. Not to mention that Pi’s way to handle conflicts in the team just made her look inconsiderate for her team members. Nickel’s devil-may-care attitude grated on my nerves a lot, too, but I loved London being the voice of reason and somewhat of a fatherly figure to the whole team. James McKay, the team’s newly-arrived medic, is a character that is especially dear to me: he is new to the world of the Far North just as the readers are, so we often follow events with his eyes. He is sweet, gentle and caring, but also too green and weak to completely fit in with the team, but that just makes him even more endearing. I would’ve certainly appreciated more of Freki if she was featured more, but she was very literally in the background almost all the time and had only about two scenes to star her. I absolutely adore her brother Geri, though. Yes, he is a secondary character who literally says two words over the course of the story. And yes, I love him. He has a lovely, distinctive look about him, and I love the strong silent types who you can always rely on. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that he spends the whole story shirtless. ;) Oleg Kutukov, a military officer accompanying Pi’s group, is too stereotypical for his own good. He is Russian, so of course he drinks a lot, rude, inconsiderate and hides important information about the team’s destination. But he is still a positive hero with a lot of strength to his character, so I’m forgiving the authors for that.
Overall rating – 4 stars.
Story – 5 stars. I really love the Far North stories, and this one was captivating, with a good old ‘Jack London’ feel about it. A disaster strikes one of the mines in the northern territories, and so a team of sled dogs is sent out for the rescue, toward the greater danger than the heroes can imagine. Throughout the story Pi and her team have to brave bad weather, frozen rivers and ice drifts as well as skirmishes with bandits – and even though they never get to come face-to-face with the mysterious villains, the story doesn’t lose its excitement, and I applaud the author for the mastery of this level.
Art – 5 stars. Amazing art is why we love comics, right? And in this case, the art is beautiful. There is marvelous scenery of snowy wildness and northern lights. There are beautifully drawn animal faces and anatomy. There are lots of details that make you admire the pages. My personal favourite got to be the scene when James McKay treats the wounds of a random traveler the team saves. The said traveler relays some important information there, so at first your full attention is on the conversation. Then you realize that McKay is working in the second plan all the time – cleaning the wound, removing the bullet, sewing it up and bandaging, one step in every panel. I admire the accuracy with which this scene and the likes of it are drawn.
Pace – 3 stars. The pacing of the story is inconsistent, and I consider it one of the drawbacks. The story started with a bang by showing us a life and death situation on the mine that sets the whole plot in motion, but then it abruptly slowed down as Pi and her team are introduced. To be honest, I was quite bored throughout the first half of the comic. It’s only halfway through when the action starts and flies by practically non-stop, with only a couple of breaks to let the heroes – and readers, - to catch their breath. At that point I was sitting on the edge of my seat. However, I do believe that the story would’ve benefited if the pacing was more even and not so slow during the first half of the book.
Characters – 3 stars. ‘Across Thin Ice’ follows a team of protagonists, so it would be unfair to single out a specific hero, though there are several who get more screen time. However, I had trouble sympathizing and identifying with most prominent character. In a way, having characters with flaws and faults is a good thing because it makes them more human, but being annoyed with a character’s behaviour doesn’t help my enjoyment of the story. In a way, Pi’s risk-taking and London’s overcaution balance each other and make them a good team – but I still think that Pi is too quick to rush into the fray. She is the leader responsible for the whole team, and her protectiveness toward her charges is a good thing, but her total inability and unwillingness to listen to someone who also obviously cares for the team is not. Not to mention that Pi’s way to handle conflicts in the team just made her look inconsiderate for her team members. Nickel’s devil-may-care attitude grated on my nerves a lot, too, but I loved London being the voice of reason and somewhat of a fatherly figure to the whole team. James McKay, the team’s newly-arrived medic, is a character that is especially dear to me: he is new to the world of the Far North just as the readers are, so we often follow events with his eyes. He is sweet, gentle and caring, but also too green and weak to completely fit in with the team, but that just makes him even more endearing. I would’ve certainly appreciated more of Freki if she was featured more, but she was very literally in the background almost all the time and had only about two scenes to star her. I absolutely adore her brother Geri, though. Yes, he is a secondary character who literally says two words over the course of the story. And yes, I love him. He has a lovely, distinctive look about him, and I love the strong silent types who you can always rely on. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that he spends the whole story shirtless. ;) Oleg Kutukov, a military officer accompanying Pi’s group, is too stereotypical for his own good. He is Russian, so of course he drinks a lot, rude, inconsiderate and hides important information about the team’s destination. But he is still a positive hero with a lot of strength to his character, so I’m forgiving the authors for that.
Overall rating – 4 stars.
August 8, 2011
I'd been excited about the Nordguard project for a very long time; mostly, of course, because its subject matter - anthropomorphic sled dogs - is highly relevant to my interests, but also because Tess Garman has allowed interested parties to follow the creative process all the way through on LiveJournal. Thus I'd got hooked to the point of picking a favourite character, and I was at fever pitch when the product at last became available to buy - more than ready to put my money on the table.
The comic itself is a richly detailed world, in both concept and depiction. The artwork is everything you'd expect from this artist; frankly I'd have been satisfied with 75 pages of the characters standing around talking, but there is a lot more action than that, and suspense, and mystery, and all the other essentials.
One character was, I felt, underused; she had hardly anything to say, and if I hadn't read a lot of backstory and seen a lot of concept art I would have forgotten she even existed. But I'm sure she'll come into her own later in the story.
Book 1 comes to a close just as the plot seems to be hotting up, which is frustrating to say the least. I can see why it's being released in instalments, but argh! want the next one now!
The comic itself is a richly detailed world, in both concept and depiction. The artwork is everything you'd expect from this artist; frankly I'd have been satisfied with 75 pages of the characters standing around talking, but there is a lot more action than that, and suspense, and mystery, and all the other essentials.
One character was, I felt, underused; she had hardly anything to say, and if I hadn't read a lot of backstory and seen a lot of concept art I would have forgotten she even existed. But I'm sure she'll come into her own later in the story.
Book 1 comes to a close just as the plot seems to be hotting up, which is frustrating to say the least. I can see why it's being released in instalments, but argh! want the next one now!
July 16, 2011
I was quite literally waiting for this book for three years, and I wasn't disappointed.
The artwork is exquisite, hand-drawn with delicate detail in an anthropomorphic style. There is absolutely no way to describe it's beauty except to direct you to the book's development site to check out the gallery.
The story itself is thin and passes quickly, but that doesn't detract from the value of the story because it is only the first part in the series. Characters are well established, and the story has enough mystery to compel you to keep on reading. I will most certainly be awaiting the next installment.
I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in dog-sledding, anthro-art, or an alternate-history account of the Klondike gold rush era. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy.
The artwork is exquisite, hand-drawn with delicate detail in an anthropomorphic style. There is absolutely no way to describe it's beauty except to direct you to the book's development site to check out the gallery.
The story itself is thin and passes quickly, but that doesn't detract from the value of the story because it is only the first part in the series. Characters are well established, and the story has enough mystery to compel you to keep on reading. I will most certainly be awaiting the next installment.
I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in dog-sledding, anthro-art, or an alternate-history account of the Klondike gold rush era. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy.
August 27, 2016
This is my favorite graphic novel of all time. The art is absolutely gorgeous, the characters engaging, and setting so real, you almost can't believe it didn't actually happen.
If I had to give this book any sort of flaw, it would be that the story was fast paced and too short. This really is not a 'flaw' so much as it is me wishing there were more and eagerly awaiting book two.
Best characters, in order:
Nickel.
Pi.
London.
McKay
Geri/Freki
If I had to give this book any sort of flaw, it would be that the story was fast paced and too short. This really is not a 'flaw' so much as it is me wishing there were more and eagerly awaiting book two.
Best characters, in order:
Nickel.
Pi.
London.
McKay
Geri/Freki
February 26, 2018
this book is magnificent and it is unbelievably awesome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2024
"Now we run"
March 18, 2018
One of the best high quality adult furry comics availabe these days! Still waiting for a matching sequel...
August 24, 2020
This is a beautiful work of art, more so than any other graphic novel I've had the pleasure to read so far. The characters each seem to have a body language, postures and detailed expressions that are so well crafted to convey emotions that they should be a case study for professional animators who want to make great anthropomorphic characters while avoiding the uncanny valley. The detail put in each frame is positively stunning, and you won't regret reading the story; the only issue is that, as with many great projects, the sequel, it seems, will be greatly delayed.
January 6, 2016
First off the artwork in this book is exquisite! While it doesn't translate entirely well into print form you can still see the incredible amount of work and the countless hours that were out into creating this. The characters are diverse, interesting to watch, well thought out and great to read about.
While this book is just the start it is a great plot and one that definitely held my attention. Highly recommended to all readers even if they have never read anthropomorphic literature before.
While this book is just the start it is a great plot and one that definitely held my attention. Highly recommended to all readers even if they have never read anthropomorphic literature before.
April 4, 2012
On the Unsheathed Podcast, Teagen Gavet explained that ~40 hours of work went into each page. The character and scenery art a the most spectacular I've ever seen in a GN, and of course, I love anthro characters. Book One is slow paced, but then again, I like a slow paced book one. I'm certain I'll see this series through to the end
May 11, 2016
An exceptionally well written and extraordinarily illustrated example of the furry comic. Any one single panel of this book could be framed individually as a work of art, and the story itself is a solid crime-mystery variety; however the story suffers from some pretty crippling pacing issues and has long periods of, well, nothing.
April 24, 2012
Check out Episode 16 of ComicPop Library: Spaces for the Ummms, for a review of this book. You can find the podcast on our website www.comicpoplibrary.com or find us on iTunes. You can also "Like" us on Facebook.
April 26, 2014
Across Thin Ice delights me. Great story. Guns. Wonderfully anthropomorphic characters (think Redwall but better). Did I mention guns? All this and in one of the most beautifully drawn graphic novels I have ever read. I will be looking for the next one to come out.
December 10, 2013
Great comic with a unique story, also loved the painted-style artwork. Hoping for a sequel!
July 28, 2014
The story is good, but it really takes a back seat to the art.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews