City in the Desert Volume 1

City in the Desert #1

by Moro Rogers

Monster hunter Irro is perhaps the only person in Kevala making a good living. The city pays him and his tailed assistant, Hari, a bounty for each monster carcass they bring in. But one day a religious sect called The Way of the Sacred Peace comes to Kevala to solve the monster problem by capping the city's Spirit Fountain. Out of a job with all the monsters gone, Irro and Hari are determined to prove that there is a more sinister plot behind the Sacred Peace's plan.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Comics, Young Adult, Fiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 10, 2012

About the author

Moro Rogers lives in Dana Point, CA with her husband Jason, son Danny, and Gozer the Cat.

Reviews

[Lissibith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very best thing a comic book can do, in my opinion, is make you think when you get to the end "Please don't let it be too long before the next part comes out."

City in the Desert did this to me in spades. Despite my being fully aware of the nature of comics, despite this clearly being book 1, I was still surprised when I hit the end and was left very much wanting more.

Aside from our two leads, the characters are a bit one-dimensional, but the strength of the book is really in the relationship between these two leads and their world - a dangerous place full of monsters, set up in an opening that's reminiscent of Elahrairah's blessings in Watership Down - the monsters in this case hunting down man instead of rabbits, but the feel is similar.

There's a lot of familiar things in this actually. Sometimes the art style reminds me of something like Samurai Jack, sometimes of bits of Kino's Journey. But it never feels derivative, and I suspect the similarities are largely just circumstantial based on the simple art style.

The story itself is an examination of tradition and faith, of greater goods and greater evils. Despite these themes, however, it remains a very close and personal story to our main characters. It doesn't try to be something larger and sweeping in this volume and I think that's to the book's benefit. Glad I read it and, if you're looking for something a bit humorous and with some cool monsters, its definitely worth a pick-up.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with an interesting style-- heavily computerized giving very clear lines/definition and artificial, but clean, color. Came across this accidentally but I'm glad I did. I recognize it's only the first issue in a series, but the plot isn't self contained. That's cool in some ways, but is also frustrating since the later chapters aren't yet available. I guess you could say I'm looking forward to the rest.

[Pat Bussey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story immensely. I find the art has huge amount of fluidity and motion that captures the awesome action at hand. The story has a fantastic setting that really made me want to visit it again after I was done reading it. I loved the mythology that was crafted and the characters make me want more.

Go check it out, you won't be disappointed.

-Pat

[Carla A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the drawings are not super detailed nor the story super complicated this is quite decent and well girl with a tail that won me over right away!

[Brigid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I even get into content, let me lavish some praise on Archaia for the production values of this book, which are top-notch. The cover is embossed – front and back. The endpapers are embossed! Inside, the story uses a simple palette of yellow ochre and slate blue to great effect, balancing Rogers’ graceful line with deftly applied tones to give her figures a feeling of solidity. All in all, this is a beautiful book. As for the story, it’s intriguing. The setting is vaguely Middle Eastern, and the book starts with a creation myth in which the god of this world punishes the first man for his sins by creating monsters. The main characters are a monster hunter, Irro, and his companion Hari, a not-entirely-human young woman with a tail and occasional animal tendencies. The people of the town have gotten a bit weary of the monster-hunter thing and see Irro as a pest, despite the fact that some have lost loved ones to the monsters. Then a religious cult arrives from out of town and demands that the town’s spirit fountain be capped, saying this will stop the monsters. It does, but it also turns the townspeople into drooling automata who feel no pain. Only the cult leader and some of the royal soldiers, as well as Irro and Hari, remain fully conscious, and the soldiers are busy robbing everyone blind. Irro and Hari’s resistance to this is complicated when Hari tries to kiss Irro and is rebuffed. It’s not clear what their relationship is; she has been riding with him and camping with him but they don’t seem romantic, and in fact, Irro confesses he isn’t really sure what Hari is. This doesn’t go over well, and the first volume ends with Hari in high dudgeon and Irro trying to figure out what happens next. The story is clever, with flashes of humor and a playful approach to the standard conventions of fantasy stories. Archaia published a second volume and then a combined edition, neither of which I have, but either of which would be worth seeking out. Rogers’ art, especially the brushy line, is outstanding and reason enough to grab a copy.

[Zach Berndt · Rating 3 out of 5]

City in the Desert: The Monster Problem by Moro Rogers is about this monster hunter Irro and his helper Hari. They go out into the desert to hunt monsters that threaten their cities well being. When they kill an animal they get money for the meat and the hide. Then one day a guy comes to their city and says he can solve all of their monster problems by capping the water fountain. They do this and all the monsters die, but something also happens to the people. Some of them go into almost like a coma state where they can not feel any pain nor have the control to do anything. This story kind of kept me guessing because I did not think that stopping a fountain from flowing would stop all of the monsters. My favorite character is Irro because he is a monster hunter that takes everything really seriously and does not take any crap from anyone. What I did not like about this book was it was kind of childish and everything happened quickly. It seemed as though I just started the book and then it was finished. I would recommend this book to teen readers who like to hear about the science fiction and monsters. I would give this book three out of five stars because of its pacing and overall I disliked it very much. It was not very realistic at all. It almost was like it was very childish and not intended for an older crowd.

[♡ un café au lait ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i can sense deep underlying messages and themes in this, but it’s gonna take me a few minutes to figure out what they are
something something becoming at peace with our demons instead of destroying them, the hypocrisy of public opinion, the complexity of human nature and the necessity of free will despite the pain it brings, the dangers of surrendering power to an absolute leader?
I’m sure there’s a lot more to this story than that but it’s vv fast-paced and I read the whole thing in less than an hour so it hasn’t really soaked in yet

[Mea Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool story, interesting art.

[Julie Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start. Love the style. Looking forward to the continuation.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine, fast read, fairly straightforward. Enough interesting stuff going on to read the next volumes.

[MerryMeerkat · Rating 4 out of 5]

City in the Desert, Volume 1 4.5 Stars, Buy it

Overall I really found this to be a great graphic novel.  I love how the art is three tones (black, white and sepia). The writing is decent, and the plot is very original. My favorite character is Hari, who is part monster (a guess on my part). This is good for young teens and those young at heart. Irro is very likeable as well, but I prefer Hari. I highly recommend this graphic novel.
 
Synopsis: I found the first issue to be a little confusing. A man named Irro hunts monsters with a young woman who has a tail and is named Hari. Spiritual advisors to king decide to cut off the source of the monsters leaving Irro and Hari jobless. In issue 3, Hari’s monster side comes out when they meet a monster. They resort to helping the library because they are in need of work.  People in the town start to act funny. Irro discovers it’s the king who has removed everyone’s (most of everyone) conciousness and so Irro and Hari have to flee. At the end, Hari kisses Irro and he rejects her and she is upset

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this again recently because I was hopeful I could read the conclusion (though I have now found it isn't as easy to access as I had hoped, but I will get there).

There is a lot to like here. The art is very good, a nice balance of sketchiness and detail. I love how Hari is depicted in motion. The setting is intriguing. The religious explanation of monsters is very Old Testament-y, but also distinct. I like how monsters seem to be both unique, yet also grouped together under the term "zaiang" (apparently often shortened to zai). I like that alchemy is part of the setting because I like alchemy, and the yantras, the sort of organic-ish machines that are featured in the world are interesting.

[Milo · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's not that I didn't like this book. As a matter of fact I begged Mama to let me read it. She looked at it and was reluctant. She thought it might be a bit too scary for me. But, I told her I didn't think it was scary at all.

Well... let's just say that what we find harmless in the light of day can feel rather frightening in the dark of night. I have slept with my parents every night and keep telling them I am scared of the monsters.

Mama wishes she wold have gone with her instincts. This book is a bit mature for a five year old. Even though my five year old imagination loves the idea of not being frightened by it.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptionally entertaining book, apart of a new series - which certainly leave you wanting more. This talented new creator offer a lovely new mythic tale of the conflict between humans and the monsters that wander their city gates. The main character, a monster hunter by trade, and his monkey-tailed assistant must fight against a mysterious group that threaten the balance of man vs. animal. Here is to hoping that Rogers can continue the great start of this series.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great art, interesting story, and I love the monkey girl; would've liked things to've been developed a little bit better. The book moves along pretty quickly and then ends quite abruptly. Not sure if the series was written as one long story that was broken up into parts or if it was written a volume at a time but I was a little disappointed to be through with it so quickly. Still, as I said, I do love the art and the writing's pretty clever, so I'll want to pick up Volume 2.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Irro fights monsters for his isolated desert city. It's dangerous, and unglamorous, but it is a fulfilling life that supported, and claimed, his parents before him. But when a religious sect appears claiming to be able to end the monsters, Irro has to wonder how much of his life is tied to this great evil. Unfortunately, everybody else in his unsuspecting city should be doing the same.

[Valissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tough rating. I liked it, fair story, cute illustration, interesting interplay between 'hero' and sidekick.

But some disturbing furry overtones, left me wanting either rebellion or some kind of explanation.

In the end, kinda hope another one falls into my reading path, but not interest enough to search it out.

[Heather Layne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I'd known this was the first of a series before I started reading it.

I enjoyed the sparse art style with only a couple of colors here and there. The story has been done before for sure, but it was an enjoyable enough way to spend half an hour. If I can track down the rest, I'll probably read the rest of the series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funnest GNs I've read in some time. The humor and quirk the artist can put into a simple facial expression is impressive. The simple line drawings support an entertaining monster-fighting and nefarious secret society plot. Truly enjoyable.

[Jason]

It's certainly a nice beginning, and raises some thought-provoking questions about the nature of blind religious belief, or really of belief in general. elements of mystery, fantasy, and adventure.

[Charlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice setting, somewhat generic characters and relationships. Art is a little too simplistic, but overall the book has it's charm, and made me curious to see where it's going.

[Ha Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I can't wait to get the next book.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing but short, much like this review.

[Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and wonderfully drawn graphic novel. Can't wait for the next volume.

[Lesli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the artwork as much as I like the story line. The art is clean, simple, and expressive. The story is just complex enough to keep me interested.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really, really good!

[Heather Iveson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story and characters. looking forward to reading more

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.