Aria Volume 1: The Magic Of Aria

Aria #1

by Brian Holguin, Jay Anacleto

Somewhere around the corner, just beyond the edge of perception, lies a world you never dreamed existed...A world where creatures of ancient myth and gods long thought dead walk unnoticed along the crowded streets of Manhattan. Where ladies of Faerie dance lonely nights away, bathed in soft neon glare. Where every shadow holds a secret, and every secret has a price. Where danger and wonder can be found at any turn, if you only know where to look. Welcome to the World of...Aria.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Comic Book, Fae, Fiction

140 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2000

About the author

American writer who writes comics, novels and animation. Some of his works include "Aria", "Savior," "Spawn" "The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths," "Godslayer" and "Kiss: Psycho Circus".

Reviews

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series was essentially Image's try to ride Neil Gaiman's Sandman success wave, adding a pinch of horror to the mix.



An average 90s comic with all the sexism and flaws of that age.



But Jay Anacleto's artworks are so good (this volume sold so much that editor released a black and white alternate one) that you can ignore the usual Dark Lord Returns storyline and enjoy the ride for once.

[CJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW: rape
I loved most of this, but a few parts spoiled it for me. The art and mythical elements were great, bringing an interesting take on faerie. It needed to be more developed, but that might happen in later volumes. The outfits were overtly sexualized, even though the character didn’t always seem comfortable in them. Don’t know if it was a metaphor or due to a male artist and writer, but it was a little out there.
The biggest problem I had was with their characterization of Mad Ginny, who, because she was traumatized after being raped, was treated as a broken girl, somewhat less than human. Her mental state, the sexual images of her after her rape, and the child that resulted from that incident were all severely mismanaged, and presented a damaging message about rape survivors to the readers.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up cause I love the art.

TW: rape, sexual assault

Couple things - a lot is left unseen on page. Or the transition from one issue to the next is extremely abrupt, with an explanation given (so we're told, not shown).

Bit unwelcome truth told, but the story stills moves at a breezy pace as Kildare...less takes proactive action as, "this all is happening I suppose I should end it before ot becomes more of a problem" reaction. Even the final battle is anticlimactic.

I can't tell if this is because Holguin needed more issues or if he's better at the prose side and struggled to translate it to comic form. This included "Aria Preview", a short story he wrote and Jay Anacleto lent illustrations for, and it is really well done.

Still a comic from my youth worth rereading and owning!

[Anna Hepworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using detailed world building, and then telling the tale in the spaces rather than in the story, this is a blessedly brief 'coming of the dark lord' story. Set amongst Faerie exiles in the human world, and focusing on Lady Kildare (of the Danaan) we see fleeting glimpses of her discovery, hunting and defeat of said Dark Lord, and in the process are presented with vignettes of various Fae. Hard to follow at times - better read when more attention can be paid to it than I had available. Recommended

[Miss December · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is incredible, but the art is absolutely, totally EXCEPTIONAL. Holy smokes- Jay Anacleto...you. Are. BRILLIANT. I'm glad you're doing covers now, but dammit I miss your interiors.

10/10. I wish there was more of this duo today- there's nothing like it, and we're all poorer for it.

[Manda · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW: rape
The story leaves a lot to be desired which is truly unfortunate when Jay Anacleto’s art is really so lovely. There’s a huge gap in the pacing and story line between issue 3 and 4 and I was only able to follow what was going on by reading the recap at the beginning of the issue.

[El Templo]

Vuelven a estar disponibles en librerías y tiendas especializadas los tres tomos publicados en España de las aventuras de Aria. Devir reunió en tres cómics La magia de Aria, Aria: El mercado de las almas y Aria: Reino del Encantamiento, los 14 primeros tomos de la colección y podemos volver a disfrutar de ellos.
Lady Kildare, princesa de las hadas residente en Nueva York, es la protagonista de los tres arcos argumentales que se nos presentan. Kildare lleva una cómoda vida como propietaria de una tienda de antigüedades y artilugios místicos en la Gran Manzana durante el día y como alma de todas las fiestas por las noches. A través de las páginas de los cómics acompañaremos a Kildare y a sus amigos, Chato, Ginny, Ondina o Rolando entre otros por los diferentes planos de la realidad en sus mágicas aventuras. Desde alzamientos de señores oscuros, a mercados negros en los que se trafica con almas y fantasmas, pasando por hermosos reinos de fantasía que resultan ser un auténtico infierno. => Sigue leyendo la reseña en http://www.eltemplodelasmilpuertas.com

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked my individual issues so much (even with the multiple GORGEOUS covers) and I bought the TPB, but when I found this limited Hardcover with the remarque? I had to have it.

Aria. Exiled (by her own choice) fairy princess, currently living in New York and running a curious antique shop. Her cousin Ginny shows up with a tale of death. Crazy Ginny may be crazy, but Aria and her friend Pug head for the UK to solve the mystery. And attend a funeral.

includes short story "I'll Come to Thee in the Cloak of Night"

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. this is still listed as a to-read because I remember buying the first two issues of this back in 2002 and falling in love with not only the artwork but the story.

[Zanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

20.65