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Griz Grobus
GRIZ GROBUS is a fantasy epic about a war-god, trapped in the body of a goose, nested within sci-fi comedy adventure, about a long-forgotten priest bot, reawoken in the town he once founded, and the lowly mortals forced to babysit both of them!
Griz Grobus tells two parallel, intertwined tales from the far-off colony world of Altamira. There, high in a sleepy mountain village, the overzealous academic ambitions of a young scribe lead to the resurrection of the town’s ancient colonial-era priest-bot. This long-defunct pastor finds himself in a world that has passed him by, but refuses to simply accept his obsolescence, much to the chagrin of the scribe and the local townsfolk. The second story is Altamira’s most famous novel (being avidly read by the characters of the first story), a fantasy tale about a war-god who gets trapped in the body of a goose, and the efforts of one pacifist cook to delay the war-god’s bloody return to the battlefield.
Set in the same sci-fi universe as HABITAT (Image Comics, 2016), Griz Grobus is another tale of life after the collapse of interstellar empire. But unlike Habitat, where a once utopian orbital habitat found itself descending into cannibal tyranny, the characters of Griz Grobus are on the rural world of Altamira, where post-utopian frontier life has blossomed into something a bit more wholesome.
Griz Grobus tells two parallel, intertwined tales from the far-off colony world of Altamira. There, high in a sleepy mountain village, the overzealous academic ambitions of a young scribe lead to the resurrection of the town’s ancient colonial-era priest-bot. This long-defunct pastor finds himself in a world that has passed him by, but refuses to simply accept his obsolescence, much to the chagrin of the scribe and the local townsfolk. The second story is Altamira’s most famous novel (being avidly read by the characters of the first story), a fantasy tale about a war-god who gets trapped in the body of a goose, and the efforts of one pacifist cook to delay the war-god’s bloody return to the battlefield.
Set in the same sci-fi universe as HABITAT (Image Comics, 2016), Griz Grobus is another tale of life after the collapse of interstellar empire. But unlike Habitat, where a once utopian orbital habitat found itself descending into cannibal tyranny, the characters of Griz Grobus are on the rural world of Altamira, where post-utopian frontier life has blossomed into something a bit more wholesome.
204 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 17, 2024
Oh wow! So cool to see this tale get completed and get released. I got the minicomic back in Summer of 2019, which covers just the first chapter here.
There are seemingly two disparate stories here - it's revealed later that the fantasy story is a novel within the sci-fi story. Roy ties the two stories together in a somewhat satisfying way but I still wouldn't be surprised to hear that he had started the two stories as separate projects.
The sci-fi story is classi Simon Roy. A post tech world, but one this time that seems to have found a proper balance with nature - so not post-apocalyptic or anything like that. It's a feel good story!
I love Simon Roy's artwork. He creates very interesting worlds and the characters really come alive.
There are seemingly two disparate stories here - it's revealed later that the fantasy story is a novel within the sci-fi story. Roy ties the two stories together in a somewhat satisfying way but I still wouldn't be surprised to hear that he had started the two stories as separate projects.
The sci-fi story is classi Simon Roy. A post tech world, but one this time that seems to have found a proper balance with nature - so not post-apocalyptic or anything like that. It's a feel good story!
I love Simon Roy's artwork. He creates very interesting worlds and the characters really come alive.
August 14, 2024
A mischievous and spunky version of Indiana Jones runs around stealing relics whenever she can on a far-off planet that was supposed to be a paradigm of space colonization but has come up, well, quite a bit short.
There's also a story within the story as a couple characters read a fantasy story called Azkon's Heart about a conscientious objector who finds himself accidentally paired up with a god of war.
It's all very oddly told, by turns heartwarming and quirky, like Gilmore Girls or Northern Exposure in space, maybe?
Anyhow, it put a smile on my face and makes me hope to one day see more adventures on the planet of Altamira.
There's also a story within the story as a couple characters read a fantasy story called Azkon's Heart about a conscientious objector who finds himself accidentally paired up with a god of war.
It's all very oddly told, by turns heartwarming and quirky, like Gilmore Girls or Northern Exposure in space, maybe?
Anyhow, it put a smile on my face and makes me hope to one day see more adventures on the planet of Altamira.
July 19, 2024
This was really fun. Two stories run parallel and eventually merge in this good-natured feel good graphic novel.
July 31, 2023
Nice little story in a nice little world. I am self-reflecting now about how I was disappointed at the lack of bloodshed.
March 6, 2024
Unfortunately, this graphic novel was not for me.
I am always open to discovering new bookish talent, and my tastes within the fantasy and sci-fi genres are vast. I chose this graphic novel because it sounded fun and I like the cover art.
The art within quite good, and I loved the colouration. That said, the story was not for me. Jumping back and forth between two different stories isn't usually a problem for me - as long as there is some sort of thread that at least teases how they might be tied together. In this comic, however, the storyline and dialogue did absolutely nothing for me. I wasn't pulled in. I didn't feel for any of the characters. Even knowing that the two stories *must* somehow tie together before the end, did not alleviate the harsh jumps between the two. And honestly, I was just bored for most of these 200 pages.
I'm sorry. I don't enjoy writing bad reviews (unless an author has committed some terrible wrong, and then I truly relish throwing down some hate). But this kind of review just makes me feel bad. I hope that I am just not the target audience and that the author does well.
Huge gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher, Image Comics, for an ARC of this graphic novel, in exchange for my horribly honest review.
I am always open to discovering new bookish talent, and my tastes within the fantasy and sci-fi genres are vast. I chose this graphic novel because it sounded fun and I like the cover art.
The art within quite good, and I loved the colouration. That said, the story was not for me. Jumping back and forth between two different stories isn't usually a problem for me - as long as there is some sort of thread that at least teases how they might be tied together. In this comic, however, the storyline and dialogue did absolutely nothing for me. I wasn't pulled in. I didn't feel for any of the characters. Even knowing that the two stories *must* somehow tie together before the end, did not alleviate the harsh jumps between the two. And honestly, I was just bored for most of these 200 pages.
I'm sorry. I don't enjoy writing bad reviews (unless an author has committed some terrible wrong, and then I truly relish throwing down some hate). But this kind of review just makes me feel bad. I hope that I am just not the target audience and that the author does well.
Huge gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher, Image Comics, for an ARC of this graphic novel, in exchange for my horribly honest review.
November 28, 2025
9 I really enjoyed this graphic novel by Simon Roy. Simon Roy is one of my favorite artists in the comic industry, with an impressive output! His skill and imagination combine to create fantastical worlds, that due to the meticulously thought out and rendered detail feel believable and lived in. He has thought about every aspect: technology, housing, clothing, food - in such a way that it feels new and different from our own world, but complete and feasible at the same time. There is a nostalgic quality to his work that calls back to Moebius (and 70's and 80's comics from the 'Metal Hurlant'-ilk) that makes me feel at home in here. At the same time his characters are expressive and human - no cover models or sculpted super hero's in here.
In this graphic novel he combines two stories, one a SF-story taking place on a planet colonized in the past that has lost its access to some technology, the other a fantasy-story about a war god ending up in the body of a goose. Yes, you read that right. In both stories food, drink and community - and the power of community around food and drink to bring people together - play an important part. The message seems to be that some obsessions are less important than they seem, and to feast - to celebrate life with other people - is what life really is about. A hopeful message, but as the book is not set in an utopian world, but one with lost technology, defective robots, grave robbers, a fantasy war and executions for traitors, it doesn't feel twee.
So, really recommended for lovers of SF and fantasy! I look forward to reading more of Simon Roy's work.
In this graphic novel he combines two stories, one a SF-story taking place on a planet colonized in the past that has lost its access to some technology, the other a fantasy-story about a war god ending up in the body of a goose. Yes, you read that right. In both stories food, drink and community - and the power of community around food and drink to bring people together - play an important part. The message seems to be that some obsessions are less important than they seem, and to feast - to celebrate life with other people - is what life really is about. A hopeful message, but as the book is not set in an utopian world, but one with lost technology, defective robots, grave robbers, a fantasy war and executions for traitors, it doesn't feel twee.
So, really recommended for lovers of SF and fantasy! I look forward to reading more of Simon Roy's work.
August 26, 2024
I very much liked this; the artwork reminded me of Moebius' work on The Airtight Garage, but without the obtuse character actions and philosophical musings; which I do like, but are unnecessary here. The lead story of the Capital scribe's endeavours to unearth the history of Altamira's extra-solar colonial past is intriguing and very human especially her frustration at the actions of the resurrected robot 'Father Stanley'. The story-in-a-story (a literature favourite on the planet) concerning a shaman's misconjurarion of a war god into the body of a goose and it's adventures with a pacifist cook is laugh out loud funny. I didn't mind the jump in that story either, where chapters in the book are jumped over to reach the novel's foody conclusion.
An unexpected treat of a read.
An unexpected treat of a read.
November 25, 2025
Funny, artistic, and just an overall great read. I haven't read many graphic novels but Griz Grobus was a lot of fun. Short but one you'll definitely want to read again. Seriously, who doesn't love a god of war trapped in the body of a goose?
November 15, 2024
Love a war goose
June 17, 2024
"Griz Grobus" is a charming and comfortably paced graphic novel with enticing artwork that offers a relatively unique reading experience. Juxtaposing a Science Fiction story set on a world colonized by human settlers with fantasy scenes from that world's best loved novel the book tells parallel stories that eventually play off and reinforce each other. Expect light and entertaining story telling with subtle humor and hopeful messaging.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Image Comics, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Image Comics, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 29, 2024
My thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for an advanced copy of this graphic novel that tells two stories one about a colony planet trying to find itself, and its lost, and a story set in the distant past dealing with gods, war and of course food.
I like to think of myself as a collector, though the word hoarder might also equally apply. I have a hard time parting with things, especially nerdy things. I have many old flashlights that have a Bat-signal, Taco Bell Star Wars toys, old Dungeon and Dragons arcade games, and more. Occasionally I will come across something old, and go oh I loved this, put in batteries, and within a few minutes remember why I had put that particular item away. This is a situation that arises in the graphic novel Griz Gorbus, one I was very familiar with. The second half of the story deal with a war, a goose, and a hungry sorcerer making a mistake. Except for eating a lot of Taco Bell to get all those Star Wars toys, this was something I was not familiar with. Griz Gorbus is written by Simon Roy and Jess Pollard with art also by Roy.
A vast galactic empire has fallen apart, not that it makes much difference to the colony world or Altamira. While much has been forgotten, lost or just misplaced the people seem to be doing fine, there is plenty of food and a university is starting to look at old tech and see what they can make of it. Far from the university a young scribe is following a tale of a lost powering device, one that she comes across in a village close to a holiday. The scribe steals it, but is caught and brought back to town, where a large robot, with a similar insignia to what is on the power device sits. The town plugs it in and the robot, Father Stanley, a robot preacher comes back to life. There is much rejoicing, until the villagers realize that Father Stanley is rather set in his ways, the old ways, and wants everyone to follow his advice. Accompanying this story is another story, a retelling of a classic story, one of the colony of Altamira best known and best loved works, about the God of War Azkon. Azkon is called to the mortal world to help in a siege, but the spell caster is kind of hungry and accidentally places Azkon in a goose. A goose that demands blood and war, and one that his companion a pacifist chef is not keen on.
A fun story with a mix of science fiction, fantasy, mythology and bit of rollicking adventures. Even a little bit of a love story. This is very Japanese and European in style, from art and especially in the story, touching on themes that American comics would not. There is very little violence, some scenes, and nothing in the way of blood. Arguments are more won by words, or in one case, willing to pay a cost to prove a point. Both stories are good, though one feels that the reader is tossed in the middle of both stories, but this isn't a problem. The main characters are interesting and the scribe and the constable have a nice relationship that adds to the story. The art is really good. Very European in color and style, with very detailed backgrounds, and a lot of attention to details.
A fun adventure story, and one that I would like to read more of. And see more of as I really enjoyed the art.
I like to think of myself as a collector, though the word hoarder might also equally apply. I have a hard time parting with things, especially nerdy things. I have many old flashlights that have a Bat-signal, Taco Bell Star Wars toys, old Dungeon and Dragons arcade games, and more. Occasionally I will come across something old, and go oh I loved this, put in batteries, and within a few minutes remember why I had put that particular item away. This is a situation that arises in the graphic novel Griz Gorbus, one I was very familiar with. The second half of the story deal with a war, a goose, and a hungry sorcerer making a mistake. Except for eating a lot of Taco Bell to get all those Star Wars toys, this was something I was not familiar with. Griz Gorbus is written by Simon Roy and Jess Pollard with art also by Roy.
A vast galactic empire has fallen apart, not that it makes much difference to the colony world or Altamira. While much has been forgotten, lost or just misplaced the people seem to be doing fine, there is plenty of food and a university is starting to look at old tech and see what they can make of it. Far from the university a young scribe is following a tale of a lost powering device, one that she comes across in a village close to a holiday. The scribe steals it, but is caught and brought back to town, where a large robot, with a similar insignia to what is on the power device sits. The town plugs it in and the robot, Father Stanley, a robot preacher comes back to life. There is much rejoicing, until the villagers realize that Father Stanley is rather set in his ways, the old ways, and wants everyone to follow his advice. Accompanying this story is another story, a retelling of a classic story, one of the colony of Altamira best known and best loved works, about the God of War Azkon. Azkon is called to the mortal world to help in a siege, but the spell caster is kind of hungry and accidentally places Azkon in a goose. A goose that demands blood and war, and one that his companion a pacifist chef is not keen on.
A fun story with a mix of science fiction, fantasy, mythology and bit of rollicking adventures. Even a little bit of a love story. This is very Japanese and European in style, from art and especially in the story, touching on themes that American comics would not. There is very little violence, some scenes, and nothing in the way of blood. Arguments are more won by words, or in one case, willing to pay a cost to prove a point. Both stories are good, though one feels that the reader is tossed in the middle of both stories, but this isn't a problem. The main characters are interesting and the scribe and the constable have a nice relationship that adds to the story. The art is really good. Very European in color and style, with very detailed backgrounds, and a lot of attention to details.
A fun adventure story, and one that I would like to read more of. And see more of as I really enjoyed the art.
August 3, 2024
Griz Grobus, is a delightful, inventive graphic novel that blends fantasy and sci-fi elements into a unique world that might be described as “medivial punk”.
The novel intertwines two parallel stories: one follows a young scribe whose academic curiosity leads to the resurrection of an ancient priest-bot, Father Stanley, in a sleepy mountain village. The other story, embedded within the first, is a fantastical tale about a war-god trapped in the body of a goose and the pacifist cook who tries to prevent the god's return to the battlefield
Roy's storytelling is whimsical a, exploring themes of obsolescence, identity, and the clash between ancient and modern worlds. The artwork, colored by Sergey Nazarov, complements the story beautifully, with vibrant and detailed illustrations that bring the world of Altamira to life. The visual style is both playful and intricate.
Overall, Griz Grobusis a delightful but a little thin on its character development and commentary on societal evolution.
The novel intertwines two parallel stories: one follows a young scribe whose academic curiosity leads to the resurrection of an ancient priest-bot, Father Stanley, in a sleepy mountain village. The other story, embedded within the first, is a fantastical tale about a war-god trapped in the body of a goose and the pacifist cook who tries to prevent the god's return to the battlefield
Roy's storytelling is whimsical a, exploring themes of obsolescence, identity, and the clash between ancient and modern worlds. The artwork, colored by Sergey Nazarov, complements the story beautifully, with vibrant and detailed illustrations that bring the world of Altamira to life. The visual style is both playful and intricate.
Overall, Griz Grobusis a delightful but a little thin on its character development and commentary on societal evolution.
August 24, 2024
Simon Roy returns to the world of Habitat with Griz Grobus, a charming sci-fi epic featuring two parallel and seemingly disconnected tales set in the far-off colony planet of Altamira. One story serves as a story within the story about some characters reading a fantastical retelling of a god of war trapped in the body of a goose, who now must work with a conscientious objector to a war. The other narrative follows an ambitious and adventurous scribe who seeks crucial relics. The storytelling isn't particularly inventive or profound, but Roy does a good job with the background worldbuilding and establishing a fun premise for the main characters to be challenged with. Like his work on Brandon Graham's Prophet, Roy capably cultivates the world of Altamira without the use of heavy exposition, and instead crafts awe-inspiring backgrounds that does the heavy lifting for him. I wasn't blown away by this by any means, but I'd be interested in more sci-fi stories set in this universe.
March 28, 2024
I received this book via NetGalley.
For those interested in science fiction, mythology, and or mystery, this book may be for you! "Griz Grobus" by Simon Roy and Jess Pollard is a story told in multiple parts. In some parts, you find yourself on a planet that seems very similar to Earth, but with ecosystems and technology that vary wildly from our own. For instance, some of the most revered citizens are the large robots who had helped humanity settle on their new planet years before. It is in these parts of the story that we meet two of our protagonists, a constable and a scribe, who have a fairly tempestuous relationship. Additionally, readers are treated with a look at a story from the characters' own mythology which highly resembles some of our own tales. Combined together, the themes in "Griz Grobus" by Simon Roy and Jess Pollard provide an excellent mix of mysterious adventures, mythology, and science fiction.
For those interested in science fiction, mythology, and or mystery, this book may be for you! "Griz Grobus" by Simon Roy and Jess Pollard is a story told in multiple parts. In some parts, you find yourself on a planet that seems very similar to Earth, but with ecosystems and technology that vary wildly from our own. For instance, some of the most revered citizens are the large robots who had helped humanity settle on their new planet years before. It is in these parts of the story that we meet two of our protagonists, a constable and a scribe, who have a fairly tempestuous relationship. Additionally, readers are treated with a look at a story from the characters' own mythology which highly resembles some of our own tales. Combined together, the themes in "Griz Grobus" by Simon Roy and Jess Pollard provide an excellent mix of mysterious adventures, mythology, and science fiction.
April 29, 2025
Charming little story about a primitive settlement of a once promising colony.
In-between the story is another fantasy story about a war god being summoned into a goose.
The parallel telling of the post-colony story and the fantasy tale doesn't quite work for me, but I see the thematic parallels.
I dig the Franco-Belgian style artwork and the unique worldbuilding--seeing lots of influences here that are not European and it feels fresh. Especially the fantasy story prides itself with Aztec and Maya inspirations.
On the other hand, the text bubbles are hard to read. The font is handwritten and inconsistent. Sometimes, letters are too close to each other, making words appear squeezed together. Line heights are messy, and letters vary too much in size. I know it sounds nitpicky, but I prefer easy-to-read text.
I give this 3 stars and one extra star for the superb world-building.
In-between the story is another fantasy story about a war god being summoned into a goose.
The parallel telling of the post-colony story and the fantasy tale doesn't quite work for me, but I see the thematic parallels.
I dig the Franco-Belgian style artwork and the unique worldbuilding--seeing lots of influences here that are not European and it feels fresh. Especially the fantasy story prides itself with Aztec and Maya inspirations.
On the other hand, the text bubbles are hard to read. The font is handwritten and inconsistent. Sometimes, letters are too close to each other, making words appear squeezed together. Line heights are messy, and letters vary too much in size. I know it sounds nitpicky, but I prefer easy-to-read text.
I give this 3 stars and one extra star for the superb world-building.
Read
March 6, 2024I think everything I've read from Simon Roy has been a variation on the theme of humans surrounded by relics of a technology they no longer fully understand, but this is by far the gentlest iteration, with the human settlers on the world of Altamira leading what looks like a pleasant enough life in an Alpine sort of landscape, and the old robot resurrected by an archaeologist's meddling bringing not carnage but comic exasperation. The low-stakes ramble through a Ghibli-flavoured landscape of mountains, woods and overgrown buildings is interspersed with excerpts from a slightly hairier but still fundamentally kind-hearted story within the story, Altamira's best-loved book, a fantasy anti-epic in which the god of war is inadvertently summoned into the body of a goose.
(Netgalley ARC)
(Netgalley ARC)
March 6, 2024
I sadly didn’t love this one as much as I’d hoped I would. Part of it might be because the style differs from what I usually enjoy, and I found myself wanting more from certain characters and storylines.
That being said, I appreciated the themes explored. Despite the unconventional art style, which isn’t my typical preference, I feel like it did match the tone perfectly. Don't let that deter you from giving it a try, though; I suspect many will appreciate the style for the same reasons I didn’t.
I did have a fun time with this one, I always do when there are robots involved. So, if you're intrigued, I definitely recommend giving it a chance!
Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
That being said, I appreciated the themes explored. Despite the unconventional art style, which isn’t my typical preference, I feel like it did match the tone perfectly. Don't let that deter you from giving it a try, though; I suspect many will appreciate the style for the same reasons I didn’t.
I did have a fun time with this one, I always do when there are robots involved. So, if you're intrigued, I definitely recommend giving it a chance!
Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 5, 2024
If I can be fully honest I feel like I missed something? I read cover to cover and felt like, oh, that's it? I love a sort of post-industrial setting, but the interspersing of the old tale (which we later find out is a fantasy book some characters are reading a la Watchmen but far less smoothly integrated) was jarring and didn't make much sense/didn't even come together in any meaningful ... or any way.
But! The art is good and the environments are rich and I liked the setting of a scholar/scribe running around solving mysteries of artefacts and trying to learn more about this settled planet. I just wish the full story was more coherent and put together.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Image Comics for the eARC in exchange for review!
But! The art is good and the environments are rich and I liked the setting of a scholar/scribe running around solving mysteries of artefacts and trying to learn more about this settled planet. I just wish the full story was more coherent and put together.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Image Comics for the eARC in exchange for review!
June 10, 2025
This is a charming little adventure story, or should I say two stories interleaved, one sci-fi and one fantasy. They both convey a strong theme of non-violence and peace, which is very refreshing for the genres involved.
One of the most profound scenes involves a robot priest singing hymns. It’s an interesting take on “the rocks will cry out.” It brings up the question for me: what does an artificial intelligence worship? And what value does robotic worship have in it? There is also this parallelism explored between spiritual possession and a computer “core” switching between robotic bodies. I’m going to have to think more about that one.
The characters are funny, and the stories are interesting. I’m so glad I picked this book up. I’ll be looking out for more work from this author.
One of the most profound scenes involves a robot priest singing hymns. It’s an interesting take on “the rocks will cry out.” It brings up the question for me: what does an artificial intelligence worship? And what value does robotic worship have in it? There is also this parallelism explored between spiritual possession and a computer “core” switching between robotic bodies. I’m going to have to think more about that one.
The characters are funny, and the stories are interesting. I’m so glad I picked this book up. I’ll be looking out for more work from this author.
November 9, 2025
An entertaining and funny diversion of a story. This graphic novel delves into a few uncharted areas while not taking itself to seriously in the process. Both of its overlapping stories explore what can happen when things don't go the way they are expected. From a restarted robot that has it's own ideas of what it was programmed to do and may have been turned off for a reason. Also what about a war god summoned to break a siege who ends up in an unexpected host ( A goose no less) and proceeds to take a junior cook on a series of unique adventures before coming to the realization that maybe he wants to be more than siege-breaking tool of his worshipers. A colorful (literally) graphic novel that delivers a charming short story in its pages is well worth the quick read of its genre.
June 9, 2024
Hmmm… A snowy village flukes its way into getting its domineering ruler robot reactivated, in the opening chunk of this book, that then declares itself finished with only a fifth done. That remaining 80% doesn't get far (a bloke gets converted into a chicken, as you do) before you've switched back. And so we go on, trying to be as flippant as possible, and forever as unconcerned as to the legibility and size changes in the hand-lettering, or the legibility in the actual drawings. Plus, it's part of a greater series I have yet to encounter at all, so while it might have been on a hiding to nothing it certainly could have been more universally fun. Not one for me.
July 31, 2023
Fantastic work from Simon Roy and Jess Pollard, pulling us in with a wonderfully inventive story, terrific characters, and a great overall vibe. Simon Roy does a marvelous job with the art and design as always. Colorist Sergey Nazarov deserves a special hat tip for doing such an incredible job bringing the art to life. I'm just in awe of this team and what they've produced here. I hope they do many more projects together. Don't read too much about the story, just go and experience it --it's a hoot.
November 19, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up.
These two stories were amusing and seeing how they came together at the end was neat. I also enjoyed the art style. The second story with the god of war and his chef keeper was my favorite.
Sadly, the characters felt thin and the world was a bit confusing. You're kind of dropped into the middle of both stories with barely any background given.
I will definitely be reading more of Simon Roy's work though as his humor is right up my alley.
Thank you to NetGalley & Image Comics for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
These two stories were amusing and seeing how they came together at the end was neat. I also enjoyed the art style. The second story with the god of war and his chef keeper was my favorite.
Sadly, the characters felt thin and the world was a bit confusing. You're kind of dropped into the middle of both stories with barely any background given.
I will definitely be reading more of Simon Roy's work though as his humor is right up my alley.
Thank you to NetGalley & Image Comics for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2025
I like Roy's approach to sci fi (Habitat is a favorite), but this was almost a bit too quirky. Two intertwined stories set on the colony planet of Altamira. One is focused on a robot reincarnation of one of the planet's early colonial administrators and his over-fondness for a terrible local food plant, the grobus root. The other story has a war god accidentally conjured into the body of a goose and the hapless cook who winds up carrying him around. The artwork is good, the stories are kind of goofy. In the end, there isn't a whole lot of consequence in this particular volume.
February 27, 2024
The story was ok. It had a lot of potential but I felt like it could have used more development. I felt like I was left hanging in a number of places.
The bonus art at the end of the book was excellent.
Unfortunately, my e-book was blurry and I’m not sure if that was a problem on my end or on the publisher’s end but it made reading the book a little difficult.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
The bonus art at the end of the book was excellent.
Unfortunately, my e-book was blurry and I’m not sure if that was a problem on my end or on the publisher’s end but it made reading the book a little difficult.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
May 5, 2024
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me a copy to review.
I loved the art style and illustrations in this. The use of colour was vibrant and made the art style stand out. I enjoyed the two different stories but I did feel the Griz Grobus storyline went kind of nowhere which was disappointing as I was enjoying it. The other storyline was really funny and engaging and by far the one I preferred. I just wish overall it went somewhere.
I loved the art style and illustrations in this. The use of colour was vibrant and made the art style stand out. I enjoyed the two different stories but I did feel the Griz Grobus storyline went kind of nowhere which was disappointing as I was enjoying it. The other storyline was really funny and engaging and by far the one I preferred. I just wish overall it went somewhere.
April 3, 2025
A very good adventure set in an intriguing fantasy future. I also appreciate that, despite being set in an ongoing war with a literal god of war involved, the story is both optimistic and humanistic. Pacing, art, and writing are all refreshingly clear. My only problem was with the hand-lettering; while I appreciate the skill, it looks a little too hastily done sometimes, and therefore becomes hard to read. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly recommend it.
June 1, 2025
I want a sequel or prequel to Habitat so, so much... but until that day this very much suffise. I almost knocked the score down one star because of how little action there is especially compared to Habitat; some of the conflicts ends in goofs rather than brutality here. The beautiful art and worldbuilding is top notch though and the extra material presented as advertisements for the planets colonisation was a welcome addition.
September 22, 2025
Griz Grobus is a great book for ages 8-? Simon Roy's tells what seems to be the start of a book series about a far away planet where Father Stanley seems to be more power than the humans and on an ever further planet where a War God's soul has been placed into a goose. Will Father Stanley control? Will the War God become his true self again? This all depends on the scribe, constable and the cook. Great book to get started on for comic book lovers.
October 28, 2025
Zelo mi je všeč njegova mehka risba v kombinaciji z ročno napisanim dialogom. In barvne linije v iozadju res dajo volumen prostoru. Zgodba je kr mal zmešana o robotu ki zam želi sadit neke rastline ki so sicer užitne ma jih noben ne želi jest in so ga zato tud izklopli prvotno - pa o bogu vojne ki se po ponesrečenem priklucnem uroku znajdu v telesu neke gosi in okusi hrano in ugotovi da ni vse samo bitka in vojna in ga to mine in postane bog fešt, haha :)
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