[(A Distant Soil: The Ascendant v. 2 )] [Author: Collen Doran] [Oct-1998]

A Distant Soil (collected editions) #2

by Colleen Doran

A small team of champions band together to protect young Liana from the Hierarchy, a corrupt otherworld government determined to destroy her. Unknown to the Hierarchy, Seren, their enshrined Avatar, a powerful psionic and religious leader, secretly aids Liana, and plots a coup to overthrow his masters.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Space, Graphic Novels Comics, Space Opera

Unknown Binding

First published October 20, 1998

About the author

Colleen Doran is an American writer-artist and cartoonist. She illustrated hundreds of comics, graphic novels, books and magazines, including the autobiographical graphic novel of Marvel Comics editor and writer Stan Lee entitled Amazing Fantastic Incredible Stan Lee, which became a New York Times bestseller. She adapted and did the art for the short story "Troll Bridge" by Neil Gaiman, which also became a New York Times bestseller. Her books have received Eisner, Harvey, Bram Stoker, and International Horror Guild Awards.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could say I didn't enjoy this volume as much because of the convoluted plot or the inconsistencies in the art but really it's because Brent doesn't wear a crop top in this one.

[Alexis Hall]

Everything I have to say about this is pretty much encapsulated at in my, uh, non-review of the first volume.

It gets even more convoluted from here.

Although, again, I wasn't exactly over-endowed with images/portrayals of queerness in my early life so I'm sort of squinting at Seren and wondering if my younger self was all "ah hah, so this is what a gay is like."

Also the hair in these comics is epically 80s.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love how unapologetically bizarre this series is. It's like a giant cross-over fanfic set to art. And the art is amazing. It's so 80s looking, and everything is rich and detailed. You can tell its a passion product, because so much love and care goes into every frame. All that said, I'm not sure if I really even like this, but I'm interested enough to keep going.

[Alessandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colleen Doran’s A Distant Soil, Vol. 2: The Ascendant deepens and expands the ambitious saga she began with such elegance in the first volume. As the stakes rise and the world-building flourishes, the story zeroes in on a critical moment: Jason’s encounter with Seren, the Avatar. This meeting marks a turning point, not only for Jason’s journey but for the greater cosmic conflict unfolding in the background.
Doran’s art continues to enchant—fluid, expressive, and emotionally resonant—while her narrative sharpens in complexity and scope. Themes of power, destiny, and identity intertwine with the personal struggles of the characters, giving the book a rich, layered texture. Despite the epic scale, the human (and post-human) emotions remain at the forefront.
The pacing is brisk, the dialogue crackles with purpose, and the sense of mythology underpinning the story becomes ever more compelling. It’s a joy to watch Doran's vision unfold, both narratively and visually.
I’m fully invested and eager to see where this beautiful series leads. A must-read for fans of intelligent, character-driven science fiction with heart and depth.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A distant soil was one of the comics I loved as a teenager. It was great to go back and read this again. Certain panels I still had memorised, certain bits I didn't remember at all. It did remind me all over again about what an incredible series this is. So unique and different to the standard comics both now and when it was written. It has such great characterisation. There are some truly horrible people, and some very, very grey people. Everyone has layers and ulterior motives (Well except Liana). It's political and personal. I'm definitely picking up more as an adult than I did as a teen. I missed some of the more horrible parts of child abuse in it, and the fact that oppressive alien government still banned gay relationships, though the people accepted it. Also the art is stunningly gorgeous. I would really recommend this series. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume.

[Printable Tire]

Still pretty readable, although it becomes more and more erotica fetishy and space soap operay. Like a soap opera, everything happens at a glacial pace, there's way too many characters and mostly everyone's just standing around. But most of the characters and conflicts are generally pretty interesting, and the culture stuff is intriguing. Don't think I'd ever touch this series again, and it feels like it could go on forever, but I can't say I haven't been enjoying it. And this from a totally straight man!

Makes me almost want to revisit Strangers in Paradise, a series I read all the way through but despised! Maybe I've mellowed out in 10+ years?

Nah!

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant and magical as always, Colleen is at the top of the game.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for kids

Lovely graphic artwork. However, the story arc includes profanity, sexual situations, and violence. Not recommended for children or young teens.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent volume that fleshes out the particulars in the story. The introduction of a love triangle added an interesting twist to the story that I'm excited to see pan out. I didn't expect to feel for some of the characers and my opinions of others have surprisingly changed (for both better and worse).

The art was fantastic with the exception of a few panels. (I'm an artist, so I know how hard it is to be consistent against deadlines.) I love Colleen's inking style, but a few places would have benefited from a little more rendering. Foreshortening is tough to draw, but I understand that this is an earlier volume and she improves very much in future works. Colleen draws both beautiful men and women, but I enjoyed her illustrations of Liana the most.

I can't wait to read volume 3 and 4. I caught this series in pieces in the past and am very glad to get to read the entire story!

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it a little less than the first one. It's still an interesting story-- but there is an absolute glut of characters and not enough time to develop or follow anyone properly. Fortunately the leads are fleshed out reasonably well so I have no problem with them-- but the others? Still not sure why they were there. Also panels can get a little cluttered at times.

That being said it's still a good story and is pretty nostalgic for me.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss, in these lovely trade paperbacks, the "sketchbook" and other fun stuff from the back on the individual issues, so I kept them, too!
re-read 4/15/2013