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Sfeer Theory #1
Sfeer Theory: Uitspan Era Catalogue 1
"My name is Luca Valentino. I came to Uitspan two years ago."
It's the eighteenth century of the Imperial Calender and the Empire of Warassa is at its peak. Spanning a full continent, and experiencing a new mastery of the magic known as the principles of Sfeer Theory, one might go so far as to call Warassa the center of the world. However, prosperity comes at a cost. Day by day, tensions rise at the borders of the Empire, which may soon be bound for war.
Not that Luca Valentino knows that last part. A lab technician at the Empire's premier school, Uitspan Academy, Luca desires only to live quietly to further educate himself in the nature of Sfeer Theory. This may not be so simple, for as he learns more about the magic around him, he finds himself entangled in a great mystery, one which may involve the whole of the world as he knows it…
It's the eighteenth century of the Imperial Calender and the Empire of Warassa is at its peak. Spanning a full continent, and experiencing a new mastery of the magic known as the principles of Sfeer Theory, one might go so far as to call Warassa the center of the world. However, prosperity comes at a cost. Day by day, tensions rise at the borders of the Empire, which may soon be bound for war.
Not that Luca Valentino knows that last part. A lab technician at the Empire's premier school, Uitspan Academy, Luca desires only to live quietly to further educate himself in the nature of Sfeer Theory. This may not be so simple, for as he learns more about the magic around him, he finds himself entangled in a great mystery, one which may involve the whole of the world as he knows it…
64 pages, Unbound
First published July 22, 2012
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523 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 10, 2013
This volume collects the first Catalogue (chapter) of the Uitspan Era story arc of the webcomic Sfeer Theory. The comic is done graphic novel style, although with longer "issues" than traditional print comics (Catalogue 1 is a little over 50 pages).
I wasn't all that familiar with Sfeer in advance, but did hear bits and pieces (from friends and the print collection's description) about what sounded like a very intriguing world involving an original take on magic, powerful political forces trying to control it, and a ordinary point of view character caught up in mysteries and forces well beyond his control.
As all things must build, it came as little surprise to start with gradual establishment of characters. We meet and follow the routines of Luca, an outcast who accepted a job as little more than a gopher at the greatest school in the land because his lack of societal standing wouldn't get him close to the research being done any other way. Details about the tantalizing things mentioned above would of course come later.
What was rather surprising was the storytelling style and liberal application of humor. This isn't a criticism - it never goes over the top and gives Luca an endearing personality even as I shook my head a bit at him. But Sfeer Theory started much lighter in feel than I expected, with a lot of comical overtones. There are little hints about more "serious" elements and stories to come peppered throughout though, and the combined effect gives a very striking, unique atmosphere.
The art is incredible, and is likewise a study in balance. I was previously familiar with the artist from the webcomic The Fox Sister, and the differences in art choices really stand out as perfectly complimentary to each work. The color palette here is more varied than I would have guessed, with somewhat more vivd colors mixed in with the blues and grays I expected from preview art I'd seen and the scientific approach to magic premise. The hues are all kept in check though, never getting too bright and keeping a very specific look and feel.
Overall I don't know entirely what to make of Sfeer Theory at this point, but I don't mean that at all negatively. It's fascinating and different and I'm really looking forward to seeing it develop in whatever direction it's heading.
Edit 3/10/13: Wow - finished Catalogue 2, which was in some ways a completely different comic. Again, not a criticism, but it was extremely dark and heavy. Much closer to what I was expecting in the first place actually. Despite the huge difference in tone and subject matter it still "felt" the same and like everything will fit eventually. Great stuff. I'm now caught up - it will be difficult to be patient at a page a week but I'll definitely be showing up to read more.
I wasn't all that familiar with Sfeer in advance, but did hear bits and pieces (from friends and the print collection's description) about what sounded like a very intriguing world involving an original take on magic, powerful political forces trying to control it, and a ordinary point of view character caught up in mysteries and forces well beyond his control.
As all things must build, it came as little surprise to start with gradual establishment of characters. We meet and follow the routines of Luca, an outcast who accepted a job as little more than a gopher at the greatest school in the land because his lack of societal standing wouldn't get him close to the research being done any other way. Details about the tantalizing things mentioned above would of course come later.
What was rather surprising was the storytelling style and liberal application of humor. This isn't a criticism - it never goes over the top and gives Luca an endearing personality even as I shook my head a bit at him. But Sfeer Theory started much lighter in feel than I expected, with a lot of comical overtones. There are little hints about more "serious" elements and stories to come peppered throughout though, and the combined effect gives a very striking, unique atmosphere.
The art is incredible, and is likewise a study in balance. I was previously familiar with the artist from the webcomic The Fox Sister, and the differences in art choices really stand out as perfectly complimentary to each work. The color palette here is more varied than I would have guessed, with somewhat more vivd colors mixed in with the blues and grays I expected from preview art I'd seen and the scientific approach to magic premise. The hues are all kept in check though, never getting too bright and keeping a very specific look and feel.
Overall I don't know entirely what to make of Sfeer Theory at this point, but I don't mean that at all negatively. It's fascinating and different and I'm really looking forward to seeing it develop in whatever direction it's heading.
Edit 3/10/13: Wow - finished Catalogue 2, which was in some ways a completely different comic. Again, not a criticism, but it was extremely dark and heavy. Much closer to what I was expecting in the first place actually. Despite the huge difference in tone and subject matter it still "felt" the same and like everything will fit eventually. Great stuff. I'm now caught up - it will be difficult to be patient at a page a week but I'll definitely be showing up to read more.
June 3, 2013
I ran across one random page of this completely by accident and searched out the rest to read. I really quite enjoyed it. I particularly liked the facial expressions, body language and small ironies, like Valentino mentioning he never had the opportunity to explore the appearance of the odd professors, etc when the panels show numerous such individuals trying to strike up conversations with him. I look forward to reading more.
November 8, 2013
Wonderful art style and interesting premise so far. There isn't enough development yet for me to honestly rate it 100% but I'm definitely going to be keeping up with it to see how things unfold.
May 31, 2019
This was okay. Liked the art, but the story didn't draw me in. Not going to read more.
January 23, 2020
Damn I love the world, it's so witty in the use of terminology! And I'm really curious about the characters, what's their deal? how will they mesh together ? I must know
May 1, 2020
Review for Volumes #1 to #4.
The artwork is excellent, the world-building so complex. I can’t wait for more pages!
The artwork is excellent, the world-building so complex. I can’t wait for more pages!
November 27, 2021
Quite underwhelming start. And I hate people who misuse names, especially after being corrected twice.
November 2, 2023
It's a great story and has really fun world-building; a lot of times, I struggle to like the main characters of different books, but this was most certainly not one of those times.
November 1, 2022
Gorgeous art and really interesting world-building. I'm looking forward to reading more of Luca Valentino's storyline.
If you're reading for lgbt+ content, don't get too excited, ^this is the only rep so far. (Although of course it's a work-in-progress)
If you're reading for lgbt+ content, don't get too excited, ^this is the only rep so far. (Although of course it's a work-in-progress)
January 28, 2016
It's a shame when I find something that has such lovely art...but just simply isn't my cup of tea. There's nothing wrong with the story or anything, it's just not the type of thing I'll find myself reading again. Kind of a shame.
March 25, 2017
I started reading this a couple of years ago, but paused my reading since there wasn't a lot of pages available at the time. But the comic popped up in my recommendations a couple of days ago, so I decided to go back and read it again.
And it's just as great as I remembered!
And it's just as great as I remembered!
September 10, 2014
AMAZING, however currently on hiatus.
November 8, 2014
My rating is somewhere between 2 and 3 stars
The art work is amazing, but the plot wasn't very intriguing. I felt lost in some parts, probably I wasn't paying attention that much.
The art work is amazing, but the plot wasn't very intriguing. I felt lost in some parts, probably I wasn't paying attention that much.
March 13, 2015
So... maybe I haven't gotten far enough into the comic, but is it really BL? I don't care, it's beautiful and well written. Interesting scifi academic slant ftw.
May 17, 2015
Lovely incompetent protagonist and beautiful world building.
January 3, 2016
Interesting though not very far into the story yet so I can't make a conclusive review. The artwork though is phenomenal and Valentino is a likable and cool character.
Can't wait to read more.
Can't wait to read more.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews