Moonward

by Appupen

Fiction. Graphic Novel. South Asia Studies. Primordial Halahala is at war. In a last-ditch attempt to stop the bloodshed, the wise and ancient Tortle draws the outline of a new creature into a rock--thus ushering in a strange dystopian world of weeping trees, robotic birds, and cities grown from seeds.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fiction, Comics, Fantasy

Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Vinayak Hegde · Rating 2 out of 5]

Appupen's artwork is original and dark as usual in this graphic novel. The main story ends rather abruptly with two alternative ends. The stories are a comment on the rapid industrialisation of the world, Climate change, the feckless godmen who misguide people for their own benefit and the rampant commercial marketing that invades our everyday world. The dystopian world of Halahala is thought-provoking but the narrative of the story is a little haphazard.

[Mathesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I'll read a better graphic Novel than this one. This book says it's 8-12 yrs category, but i don't agree with that.
Definitely it's 18+ ( not talking about adultery)
Saying 18+ bcoz this dystopian graphic novel depicts the reality of the today's world
It's fun and at the same time it's not fun 😜.... Confusing right? Yeah it confuses us at some phases.
Here this author starts with a little amount which is similar to of big bang theory thing but not so briefly, then god comes, doing business in the name of god, humans greed, the perfect representations about deforestation, running behind money, acting like a toy for highest echelon under a corporate company, kill or get killed policy , giving up family privileges and so sooo on

Appupen clearly described the current human's race existence is graveyard of happiness, rooted loneliness and lust for money.


For example He portrays the loneliness by showing a walking man who wishes someone is there at home for him to welcome and give him a warm hug after coming from office but sadly he has to switch on the television and hug that.

[Carola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks, I hate it.

No but in all seriousness. This is really quite good. The style is unique, and it's an excellent criticism. And usually I like dark.

So yes but no.

[Parth Jawale · Rating 4 out of 5]

You had me at weeping trees and robotic birds.
Before this, I hadn't read any alternative graphic novels. Due to minimal text, this was expected to be a quick read. Nevertheless, it took longer than expected. Part of this was because the illustrations were absolutely brilliant. It is clear though, that Appupen is not a man of words. He says so himself. That being said, the sequential stories without any narration whatsoever were stunning. Appupen's vision of primordial Halahala is incredibly immersive. In spite of the somewhat weak ending, this was a thoroughly fresh and rewarding read, something I desperately needed.
I can't wait to read Legends of Halahala.

[Sadhbh Rubinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

story lines were hard to follow. this could have been solved by adding more dialogue. A bit “on the nose” for my taste. themes of greed, capitalism, the human condition, and tendencies for cruelty toward those less fortunate.

the art was amazing though!!

2 styrs

[Sree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a intellectual bomb delivered in the most unassuming manner possible !

[Muralidheran Ramunnikutty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome is what I will call this representation.

[Sharat Karekaatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moonward is an engaging book. Its not a fun read though, its vicious, dark and brutally honest. It has many layers and demands re-reading.

We are introduced to the fantastical universe of Halahala. A bright meteor flashes across the heavens and crashes into the primordial landscape. Life emerges from the spot where the meteor crashed. The plants and the animals evolves and within time Halahala is full of life. When a war erupts among animals, it falls upon the wise Tortle to bring peace. He tells them of a divine being called God who might invoke earthquakes and erupt volcanoes if they don't behave themselves. He goes onto draw an image of the God on a rock.

Nana, a hungry and tired human, wanders into the village and soon realizes he is the embodiment of the image of God. The animals offer food and themselves for their God. Nana, convinced of his Godliness meditates and finds his purpose. What follows is utter madness but strangely its not alien. Nana replaces his hunger with pride and haughtiness. He transcends from a mere human to something larger, to a corporation.

With minions wanting to please Nana, finding Weeping trees, inventing robotic birds, and seeds from which complete cities can be grown... Nana creates a terrifying new world (which eerily resembles our own).

Appupen's Moonward is a mirror to the world that we have created and Nana is the reflection of the corporations out to destroy the world for their profits. It starts off brilliant and is engaging throughout. Though, towards the end, it becomes a convoluted mess and gets lost in its metaphorical allusions.

Appupen is an excellent artist, the book has some terrific graphics through which he tells his story for most part. Moonward is a visual story, with pages after pages remaining text free. The future it presents is kind of simplified 1984 and it looks pretty impressive.

Fans of dystopia, definitely, would not want to miss this one.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came as a nice surprise. I specially enjoyed the wordless sequential stories.

[Anjana Balakrishnan · Rating 3 out of 5]

if I were a fan of dystopia I would've loved it