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Mandala

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Earth-here and now. Humankind is secretly enslaved by a global mind-control system called the GRID. Mike Morningstar and his spiritual spec-ops unit, the Thirteen, must alter time and take down the GRID before it's too late. As fiction meets reality, the Thirteen need your help if they are to succeed in awakening humanity and changing the future. Are you awake?

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2014

2 people are currently reading
24 people want to read

About the author

Stuart Moore

399 books69 followers
STUART MOORE is a writer, a book editor, and an award-winning comics editor.

Among his current writing projects are THE ZODIAC LEGACY, created and cowritten by Stan Lee and published by Disney, featuring an all-new team of teenaged super heroes in a series of illustrated prose novels and graphic novels; DOMINION: LAST SACRIFICE, a comic book series for Amazon/Jet City; and THANOS: DEATH SENTENCE, an original Marvel prose novel. Recent work includes EGOs, an original comic book series from Image Comics, and GARTER'S BIG SCORE, an original ebook novella for Kindle. He also contributed two series, TEACH and OUT WITH A BANG, to the launch of the online comics app Stela. Other comics work includes WOLVERINE NOIR and NAMOR: THE FIRST MUTANT (Marvel); FIRESTORM (DC Comics); assorted Star Trek and Transformers projects; and the science-fiction graphic novels EARTHLIGHT, PARA, SHADRACH STONE, and MANDALA. Prose writing includes the novel version of Marvel’s CIVIL WAR, and Disney Worldwide's JOHN CARTER: THE MOVIE NOVELIZATION.

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5 stars
13 (48%)
4 stars
3 (11%)
3 stars
7 (25%)
2 stars
3 (11%)
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1 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Jon Nakapalau.
6,495 reviews1,022 followers
June 16, 2024
What a ride! A GRID laid over ancient lay lines; a group of spiritual 'special forces' (The 13) that have to fight across almost infinite timelines; old gods aroused to take back power; Einstein and Nietzsche cloned by an evil demon scientist - WOW! If Timothy Leary had decided to write a horror GN then it would be similar to this!
Profile Image for Bit'N Book Tours.
60 reviews40 followers
October 9, 2014
A visually action packed graphic novel story about a great war that is about to commence. The old adage theme of good versus evil. The twist in this case is the “Thirteen” led by Michael must challenge a very powerful evil, yet Michael has a couple challenges of his own. The “Thirteen” are all powerful as Michael, yet one of Michael’s challenges is to deal with his slow understanding and the ignition of his own power. If Michael doesn’t become the powerhouse he is destined to be, humans will fall victim by the evil Natasmia.

The art is appealing, clear, balanced and appeasing to the eye. The lines flow on every level. There is good depth with coloring. The variation of imagery and color is excellent. There is good color contrast and consistency. Additionally color blending is consistent, easy on the eyes, able to follow and enjoy the scenery. Lastly the art does not distract when reading the text.

The font used in the lettering makes it easy to read, understand, follow along and enjoy the story. The size although reading it digitally is appropriate. Additionally the grammar, sentence structure and punctuation is consistent and melds with the story. Bubble placement is well thought out and strategically placed adding to the overall great appearance. Along with this the advertisement is not overbearing. There is enough to give credit yet not overwhelming potentially causing irritation.

Through all 240 pages, the art style is consistent. Even though the style of some pages shift, yet they don’t distract in anyway from the story. In truth in many cases it adds depth and increases interest.

On each page, the bubbles are placed strategically well. At no time is the art, the page or the flow of the story impacted.

The main character, Michael has a lot going on within himself along with the numerous relationships outside and of course one in particular. The team does a good job of keeping track not only of Michael’s challenges, but provide a good flow of his development as he finds his true inner being and power.

From the beginning of the story to the end, it is consistent. At no time did I have to wonder or reread a section to figure out who’s who or what is happening. The organization was excellent. Not once did I lose track, very important with several different stories going on at once eventually coming together.

The story is broken up into several different chapters. The connectivity between flows easily. A slight surprise, a change is the ‘wanted’ posters. Unexpected but not without disorder.

Overall, the mechanics and technical points of this graphic novel are sound. I liked the story premise; good vs evil with power, but with a slight curve ball. I also enjoyed the old man,(you’ll have to read to find out)keeping Michael focused on what his task was. The one aspect of the story I didn't care much for were the moments, although few, of humor plugs. Some didn’t seem fit, more of a slight irritation. Lastly the length of the story wasn’t too long. Not normally would I read 240 page graphic novel, but this one I truly enjoyed. The ending, well, it was somewhat predictable, yet with a slight surprise. I definitely encourage you to pick this one up. You won’t regret it. If I were to give it stars, 5.

Reviewed for Bit'N Book Promoters web | facebook | twitter
Profile Image for Draegon Grey.
Author 7 books10 followers
August 14, 2014
Mandala Graphic Novel

Created by The Thirteen
Written by Stuart Moore
Art and Color by Bruce Zik
Lettered by Clem Robins

A visually action packed graphic novel story about a great war that is about to commence. The old adage theme of good versus evil. The twist in this case is the “Thirteen” led by Michael must challenge a very powerful evil, yet Michael has a couple challenges of his own. The “Thirteen” are all powerful as Michael, yet one of Michael’s challenges is to deal with his slow understanding and the ignition of his own power. If Michael doesn’t become the powerhouse he is destined to be, humans will fall victim tothe evil Natasmia.

The art is appealing, clear, balanced and appeasing to the eye. The lines flow on every level. There is good depth with coloring. The variation of imagery and color is excellent. There is good color contrast and consistency. Additionally color blending is consistent, easy on the eyes, able to follow and enjoy the scenery. Lastly the art does not distract when reading the text.

The font used in the lettering makes it easy to read, understand, follow along and enjoy the story. The size although reading it digitally is appropriate. Additionally the grammar, sentence structure and punctuation is consistent and melds with the story. Bubble placement is well thought out and strategically placed adding to the overall great appearance. Along with this the advertisement is not overbearing. There is enough to give credit yet not overwhelming potentially causing irritation.

Through all 240 pages, the art style is consistent. Even though the style of some pages shift, yet they don’t distract in anyway from the story. In truth in many cases it adds depth and increases interest. On each page, the bubbles are placed strategically well. At no time is the art, the page or the flow of the story impacted.

The main character, Michael has a lot going on within himself along with the numerous relationships outside and of course one in particular. The team does a good job of keeping track not only of Michael’s challenges, but provide a good flow of his development as he finds his true inner being and power.

From the beginning of the story to the end, it is consistent. At no time did I have to wonder or reread a section to figure out who’s who or what is happening. The organization was excellent. Not once did I lose track, very important with several different stories going on at once eventually coming together.

The story is broken up into several different chapters. The connectivity between, i.e. ending of one starting with the next flows easily. A slight surprise, a change is the ‘wanted’ posters, unexpected but not disordered.

Overall, the mechanics and technical points of this graphic novel are sound. I liked the story premise; good vs evil with power, but with a slight curve ball. I also enjoyed the old man,(you’ll have to read to find out)keeping Michael focused on what his task was. The one aspect of the story I didn't care much for were the moments, although few, of humor plugs. Some didn’t seem fit, more of a slight irritation. Lastly the length of the story wasn’t too long. Not normally would I read essentially a 240 page expanded comic, but this graphic novel I truly enjoyed. The ending, well, it was somewhat predictable, yet with a slight surprise. I definitely encourage you to pick this one up. You won’t regret it. If I were to give it stars, 5.
Profile Image for Kate.
562 reviews26 followers
April 24, 2014
Loved this. All kinds of crazy with a consistent art style and characters that although you're a bit baffled by at the beginning,you're rooting for them by the end. Nice touch giving the characters FBI wanted sheets as bios rather than letting the story get bogged down with back story.

Would quite happily buy those and future issues.

Advance review copy supplied digitally by NetGalley.
1 review
November 29, 2021
Mandala intertwines reality and Sci Fi flawlessly. After finishing this graphic novel, it awakened my desire to help others achieve their own spiritual awakening and to continue to deepen mine. Maybe then we can achieve the 144,000. Just one person at a time. Especially in this doomsday reality we are living, there has never been a time when we need this so much.
1 review
November 29, 2021
A great story, mind blowing and life altering, impressive art work that compliments the journey.
Profile Image for Wayne McCoy.
4,291 reviews33 followers
June 22, 2014
'Mandala' is a trippy, cosmic time traveling story. It deals with the choices we can make and the second chances we get.

Michael Patrick Murphy has the power to transform, but whether that is into a creature that can be good or evil is up to him and he needs to fight for the good. He's also gotten lost in the time stream and is dealing with alternate timelines where he can try to see what his choices will yield. On top of that, he also has to gather 13 warriors similar to him to assist in the fight ahead. Can he become Morningstar and collect the team he needs in time?

The story is out there, but makes sense. The art by Bruce Zick is pretty good. It reminds me a little of Mike Mignola, but it's his own style. Personally, I prefer the demon persona of Mike Murphy because he looks cooler, but there are lots of demons and snakes a cool things in the book.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Profile Image for Fantasy Literature.
3,226 reviews166 followers
June 9, 2014
Mandala is the story of Michael Patrick Murphy who has the potential to be a mythic hero, Morningstar, savior of all mankind, but often he is just Michael, a confused man, or even worse, he turns into his lower, demonic self. Borrowing a page from Michael Moorcock, author Stuart Moore has Morningstar drift from one reality to another, trying in each new plane of existence to fight the serpents and evil gods who control all humans in a post-apocalyptic world. He fights alongside the rest of "The Thirteen," an organization made up of men and women similar to Michael Morningstar: They all have a human side and must learn to "wake up" their higher selves to unite and defeat serpents who are led ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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