Monomyth GN

by David Hazan, Cecilia Lo Valvo (illustrator)

Magic is all but extinct. When the last ailing wizard casts a final desperate spell to summon the descendants of ancient bloodlines to a school for magic now in disrepair...those chosen ones find a horror of the likes they've never experienced. They will have to confront the deepest parts of themselves and defeat each other in order to survive the ordeal.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Comics, Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2023

Reviews

[Megu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm quite pleased with the story, although I would definitely prefer for it to be longer. Six issues are not enough to make me connect with the characters and root for them, especially since many of them are killed off very quickly. Here seven ordinary adults are transported to a magical castle, where they are pitted against each other by mysterious magical powers. In order to survive one must kill the other six and claim a magical crown. In each issue main story is prefaced by a flashback from an ancient tale of a wizard and a prince that he raises to glory. I really like the style of the drawings - rough and cripsy, which really suited the gory scenes. This is why it was a let down when in the last two issues the artist changed and the designs became more cartoon-like.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mad Cave is releasing some of the best indie comics out there right now, and this is no exception. Although I felt like the wrap-up was maybe rushed and had room to do more with some of the concepts introduced at such a late stage, overall the story was great. Similar in many ways to Once & Future but different enough to stand apart, it’s about stories and their power.

Also, the art for the most part is ridiculously beautiful. I felt like that also fell off in the 6th issue but overall, stunning.

Thanks for the ARC via NetGalley.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monomyth Volume 1 by David Hazan, Cecilia Lo Valvo and Federico Bertoni will be released December 26, 2023. Mad Cave Studios provided an early galley for review.

This year I have read several collections from Mad Cave Studios - all different and all entertaining. This looked to be another that fell into those categories. This volume collects the original six issues of the series and also includes some extras in the form of alternate covers by other artists.

The art style on the series has a very "classic" feel in that it evokes an old-world feel. The line work is often thick with colors that are rich yet muted. That fits very well for a fantasy book about magical legacies. It works very well to set the mood and tone of the story.

Speaking of story, it opens with a brief introduction of the cast and the bringing of them together. We get to know each of them as they get to know one another. It is a literary tool that works well here. It quickly turns into a tale of survival, of facing ones truth and accepting it. There are several layers at work here.

In the end, it was an interesting story that will appeal to readers looking for something a bit out of the norm.

[serial_london · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I found it entertaining and powerful. The art was stunning and I loved the darkness of it. The characters were also enjoyable (if the ones you hated). The backstory felt a bit jumbled or not explained well and pacing occasionally was a little off but nothing so serious that it took away from the enjoyment of the story.

Also loved the rep in this!

Highly recommend. Check content warnings.

[nush ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

— 4 ⚝

thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an e-arc of this graphic novel. all thoughts are my own and not influenced in any way.

this was a very, very compelling story. the art and illustrations were so captivating. the storyline itself was extremely interesting. the characters are very distinct from each other and intriguing. the dialogues are very well thought out and witty. overall, a great premise, well rounded characters, witty dialogue and mesmerizing illustrations. recommend this to every fantasy lover that wants an easy read in a graphic novel. extremely excited for the new volume.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting. It was a little bit confusing at the start but once it got going I enjoyed it.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed thoughts on this one. I love the premise of the story. 7 people are transported to a magic castle and told to fight till the last one standing in order to gain magic. However, I felt it should have been longer. Personally, I needed more world building and character building. I was very confused at the beginning and it took most of the volume to gain my footing. I loved the artwork at the beginning. It felt harsh and that fit the story really well for me as the characters are learning magic and fighting for their lives. However, it seemed to change a bit at the end and I didn't see a real reason for that. I also enjoyed the theme of writing and telling your own stories, but it was a bit on the nose.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Monomyth’ by David Hazan with art by Cecilia Lo Valvo and Federico Bertoni is a graphic novel about a school of magic and a new group of buried students who have been chosen to participate.

Magic doesn't exist in our world or does it? When a group of strangers find themselves in a strange castle, they learn that they are the chosen ones. A strange masked wizard has called them there, but they will need to survive the ordeal ahead. The horrific tasks ahead of them will kill some of them. The ones who survive are the ones who can confront the darkest parts of themselves.

This is a pretty dark story and a lot of it didn't really make sense to me. The art didn’t help because it is cluttered and dark. I like stories like this. I just wish this one had been better.

[Crimson Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank Netgalley for an advanced ARC of this graphic novel for a honest review, also all opinions in this review are my own.

Reading this graphic novel gave me dungeon and dragon vibes mixed with merlin and Nordic myths etc

I enjoyed and loved this from page one to then end and if you love High fantasy adventure with strength, courage, friendship and a journey of self discovery though ur own fears and perception then this first volume is for u 💖 and I cannot wait to continue with it when more is done.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Monomyth, seven people wake up in an unfamiliar place with a "school" where they must learn to master deadly magic before they are killed by terrible monsters, and before they are turned against one another. As I was reading it it reminded me of the Netflix animated series "The Hollow," but with more gore and death.
I loved the art style and the colors. The way the art was combined with the dialogue/narration made for a fast paced story that I couldn't put down. I thought the book had really good pacing right up until the ending which felt a bit rushed. I also thought the magic system was INSANELY cool.
The characters were very well developed, and they all had very tragic and compelling backstories. I actually liked every single one of them, which is rare. Usually there is that one character who's POV is boring compared to the rest, and that didn't happen with Monomyth.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and I'm interested in continuing the series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the free digital arc!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good premises well fleshed out. Building upon the idea of wizards speaking the true names of things and with more than a little influence from Rowling, Barthes, Foucault and Gaiman, Monomyth established a form of magic based around the power of retelling or reframing one's own story.

Would definitely read a follow-up or a prequel about Vadim. Bertoni's art reminds me quite a lot of Donaldson's work on The Massive with the ink and pen style. I'll have to look into Mad Cave and Nottingham.

[Words, Images, & Worlds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing art and writing combine in this story. David Hazan is proving to be a wellspring of creativity and the imagery in this book is fantastic — and macabre.

[Bookish Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following 7 chosen wizards who get trapped in a tower by a wizard who calls himself Homonculus.

This was a wild ride following all 7 different characters as they navigated through their fears and what their reasons for being in the tower is.

These characters are forced to make difficult selfish choices that puts their lives on a scale of life and death.

The panels and colours of this graphic novel is incredibly done. It sucks uou in right away. I absolutely enjoyed reading this as it's a fast paced story with twists, tippng scales, weighted choices and old age secrets.

[Janusch · Rating 3 out of 5]

3- stars ✨

Oof, this was a wild ride. First off, the art is gorgeous. Dynamic, grotesque, and beautiful. It was also probably the thing I liked most, and what bumped this up to three stars for me.

What enticed me to read this was the premise of a magic school. It wasn't quite that... 'Seven people find themselves trapped in a murderous castle' is still intriguing, though. This was more horror adjacent than I expected, which is not quite my cup of tea. On top of that, the pace of this graphic novel was so fast I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I would have liked to see them and the (back) story more fleshed out. The flashbacks detracted from the plot in my opinion, and were quite hard to follow. I think this story suffers from trying to do a too much.

Overall, I don't regret reading this but I'm not sure I'll continue the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the ARC!

[Ag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A gripping and twisty graphic novel!
The drawings are PERFECT. The story is unexpectedly complex. The characters feel super alive. There are twists and turns, and it is somewhat dark and atmospheric.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cool! It was like playing a soulsborne video game. It was a little confusing at parts but overall it was a really fun read! And super spooky too!

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This ambitious graphic novel never failed to coalesce into an absorbing experience. A war of dual narratives throughout the read meant that it would take several readings just to understand the premise of the story. This is complicated further by the inclusion of anti heroes for whom it was difficult to want to cheer or even follow their story. I found myself skimming whole parts of this words-cluttered graphic novel.

Story: 7 individuals from around the world suddenly find themselves transported to a strange castle. They are told they are wizards and they must rely on their own stories in order to know how to use magic. A gangster, pyromaniac, political refugee and his girlfriend, twins from Detroit, and a spiritualist all have complicated backgrounds that should lend credence to their ability to use magic. But as they soon find out, it isn't all that clear and easy - and something is clearly pitting them against each other in the hopes they will murder to survive.

The premise of this first book in a series is that is that stories are the key to the world and each person's individual story matters the most. So there is a voyage of discovery as the 7 explore their own personal histories. Of course, in doing so, they will fight against themselves and with each other, At the same time, there is a (what feels like random) narrative about a "King Arthur" boy and wizard that likely has a payoff somewhere but I couldn't find it.

The above sounds deep and yet the book felt like it tried too hard and without enough true depth to bring it all together. The King Arthur asides weren't the only (random) running narrative - expect discussions of necromancy/black magic as well as 'riddle me this' random soliloquys by the person who brought them to the castle. Most of the action is from (again, random feeling) monsters that spring up and then disappear conveniently.

The art for much of the book is a messy sketchy type of feel that is ok but kind of hard to decipher action at most times. In the middle, it suddenly changes from a mature feel to a Scooby Doo type of broad line art that suddenly de-aged the characters to 12 year olds and was very jarring. Again, it felt random since the normal art just randomly reappears mid action without reason. So I can't say the art was interesting either.

Probably most problematic for me is that I did not like any of the characters. The author spent so much time showing their hangups/shortcomings that the piece lacked any kind of heart or warmth. There is no light in the darkness and even when a character triumphs, it is oddly disaffecting.

I think it would take me about 6 readings, each focusing on a different aspect, to really understand what the author was going for here. And to be brutally honest, I want to enjoy my comics rather than have to study for them. Perhaps if I really enjoyed the characters, it might have been worth it.
But as it is now, I can see no reason and have no desire to return to the series to do so. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Hannah Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An isolated secret school of magic.

Wizards from ancient magic bloodlines.

Staircases that lead every which way and change direction underfoot.

Siblings, rivals, and lovers that fill the castle halls and fight to be the best witch or wizard of their age.

It sounds familiar, doesn’t it? I’m actually talking about Monomyth, a magic-filled triumph of a graphic novel releasing next month. And, yes, it’s supposed to feel familiar but not because its derivative or trite. Monomyth is full of bloody magic and fire, but it also has a lot to say about family, art, and survival.

Monomyth is best if you throw out all your expectations of what a secret magic school should be. Forget the twelve-year-old boy with a lightning scar and his bearded headmaster and go into Monomyth with only the vaguest memory of his story and school. Because Monomyth is a story of its own. One desperate wizard casts one last spell on the eve of his death. His spell summons seven people from ancient wizarding bloodlines to a dilapidated wizarding school on a remote island. Enormous magical monsters are out to get them, and the new wizards must quickly learn to use their magic or die. If they use the magic incorrectly, they’ll die. Monomyth is brutal, intense, and full of death, blood, and even necromancy. However, it also tells clear stories about family, grief, regret, and staying true to oneself.

Monomyth knows that it feels familiar. Characters look around them at the wizarding classrooms full of scrolls and weird staircases and think, “Looks eerily familiar, wouldn’t you say?” Monomyth nearly goes so far as to directly address its influencing author and series. A character asks, “Can you separate the art from the artist?” She has an answer to her rhetorical question, but you’ll need to check out the series to read it.

Final Thoughts: A+ for originality and the brilliantly brutal take on a wizarding school setting. For such a deadly comic, the conclusion was a bit too easy for me and for the characters. I guess they did deserve a bit of a break after all that trauma, though. I’m hoping we get more in this series and that it continues with its dark themes. A++ for representation. Multiple BIPOC and queer characters in the cast. An excellent Teen+ graphic novel.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Thanks to Mad Cave Studios for an advanced copy of this graphic novel for review! All the above thoughts are my own.

Check out my blog Back Shelf Books for more SFF and graphic novel reviews.

[Dione Basseri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark academia is all kinds of popular right now. But, sadly, I don’t think this pick needs to go anywhere near the top of your to-read list. It’s a 3-star pick, which for me means I’d only recommend it to someone who is obsessed with the genre, but running out of reads.

7 adults are summoned to a castle, and told they are chosen from ancient bloodlines, they have magic, but there can be only one.

Then 3 proceed to die, like, almost instantly. Because if you don’t use your magic properly, it backfires, and you die.

The thing is…when half your cast dies, you lose the chance to explore their stories. It feels boring. Cheap. Like you wanted to have high stakes, but you never actually cared about those sacrificed to raise them.

It feels like this was meant to be at least twice as long, but the publisher told the creators even before release that it was getting cut short. So what all happens, happens at break-neck speed. But you were never given the time to care, so it’s just the reader tripping along.

There’s a backstory that does get slightly fleshed out: the original wizard and the prince he raised to power. But, again, that feels cut short. It’s told in a mythic style, but there’s so little, in the end.

It’s not necessarily BAD. It’s just too LITTLE. It’s hamstrung. Unfortunate.

Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

3.5
I wanted to like this, but it just didn't click for me. The way this story is written is very confusing. The way characters make speeches at certain parts just never landed with me emotionally, because you learn basically nothing about them. Some of the concepts were interesting, such as magic being interconnected with storytelling. But beyond that, it was just confusing. This didn't feel like the start of a series, it felt like the middle of one. The cliffhanger ending didn't compel me to seek out the next volume either. I did like the character designs, I thought they all looked very good. The art style I liked! It was rough and textured but looked really good. It made the monstrous elements look terrifying! There was a very weird style choice for the majority of the last chapter. That art style I didn't like that as much, it made everything look way too cartoony. I found myself being unable to take certain scenes seriously because of how cartoonish they looked. It also went back to the original art style right at the end, so the change was even weirder.

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel collects Monomyth issues #1-#6 into a complete story. It's a dark tale, where 7 unsuspecting adults get thrown into an abandoned wizard school by a magical entity that pits them against each other. How many will make it out alive as they start to discover their own magical powers?

The story grabs you immediately and I loved each character's background and how it played into their development as the story went on. The author doesn't shy away from portraying imperfect humans with challenges and dark pasts, while allowing them a chance at redemption, should they choose to take it.

The art is phenomenal. It's gritty and impactful, and it fits the story so well. It's one of those books where the narrative wouldn't have been as good at building a tense, frightening atmosphere without the visuals.

This was a great read that reminded me a lot of Kieron Gillen's works, especially Once & Future. Recommended to fans of dark fantasy!

✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Alex L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Monomyth Vol 1" weaves a dark, enthralling tale within the walls of an abandoned wizard school, where seven adults are thrust into an unexpected battle for survival, revealing their darkest fears and untapped powers. The story seamlessly merges each character's complex backstory with the unfolding mystery, crafting a narrative that's as much about personal redemption as it is about magical intrigue. While the pace can sometimes feel a bit too brisk, potentially rushing through moments that could benefit from more depth, it generally maintains a compelling momentum. The artwork has a darker edge to it, really bringing the story's vibe to life and fitting perfectly with the deep, complex journeys of its characters. Overall this graphic novel skillfully blends psychological depth with dark fantasy, delivering a compelling journey that leaves readers eagerly anticipating what's next.

[Allen Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monomyth follows seven (mostly) strangers as they are plucked from their normal lives and thrust into a world of magic. Brought together by a mysterious wizard, the group must learn magic in order to survive dangerous trials and enemies.

The first issue suffers the thankless job of introducing no less than nine major characters in addition to setting up the plot. Due to this lack of breathing room, it really isn't until the second issue that things click into place and the stakes begin to feel real.

I personally loved the handling of magic in this series, where magic is powered by stories and belief. The characters must lean into their own stories in order to harness magic in their own way. Monomyth's focus on magic powered by personal stories is really what sets it apart in the fantasy genre. It allows for a much more personal connection to the magic than is typically seen.

Overall, while I wasn't fully sold until two issues in, I ended up really enjoying Monomyth and truly hope that the story is continued in the future.

[Amber Hutchison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this because the premise of the story is definitely there. However, it felt like we were dropped into the middle of what was supposed to be a volume 2 or maybe even 50% of the way through volume 1. The worldbuilding was minimal and the characters appeared to just suddenly understand the magic system without any assistance either from other characters or the world itself. The art was phenomenal in my opinion, but the style also changed drastically 75% of the way through. That might have been intentional, and I missed something? I'm not sure. Also, where did we establish a relationship between 2 of the characters? Their pairing seemed to appear out of nowhere. Even with all of the apparent missing pieces of the story, I had a good time reading it. I'm hoping volume 2 has better building and pacing as this definitely has the potential to be a great series.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.

[Cherie • bookshelvesandtealeaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun graphic novel!

It’s set in an old, dilapidated magic school that pits its inhabitants against each other. The cast is diverse and the story deals heavily with grief and the things in life that shape us and help us become stronger.

The artwork was really awesome and I really appreciated the attention to detail.

I LOVED the romance between Julia and Kerra. These two were the absolute heart of this story and it wouldn’t have been nearly as enjoyable without them.

I think this just needed to be longer, though. I wanted to spend more time with the lore and the history of the school and the magic system. There was flashbacks to a king and hints at magical bloodlines that I would have liked to see expanded on. I know a graphic novel can only show so much but I’ve also read graphic novels much longer and more detailed than this one.

This one’s out December 26!

[Ben A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mad Cave Studios is producing some of the best graphic novels in the industry at the moment. I've had the luxury to be able to read and review several here at the end of the year. Even when they put out a story that doesn't quite hit for me, I have to admit that it is still a better product than a lot of what the big two comic book companies are putting out. That brings me to Monomyth. I loved the story and how it took certain fantasy conventions and turned them on their head. I loved the art but sometimes it made the story a little hard to follow and I had to reread in order to understand what was happening. All that being said, it was a well-done graphic novel and I will be looking for more work from the creative team in the future.

Special Thanks to Mad Cave Studios and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

[Chris Meichtry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the overall story but it needed more time to be fleshed out and not feel so rushed. We barely get a chance to even meet the characters before there suddenly whisked away and they're thrown together like a bunch of Planeteers or Power Rangers. And then bam, they have crazy powers and half of them are dead and two of them fall in love in the span of a couple of hours. Too much was crammed into one little book. It didn't help that it was often difficult to visually make sense of what was being depicted. When the art suddenly (and drastically) changed without warning, it looked a bit ugly but it was at least much clearer.

[Aura Nizharu · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, what a fucking petty story with very shitty rules in it's worldbuilding, the mistery fades very quickly when you understand about stories, if a character is fated to be killed anyways, because that's its role, what tension the story has? they do, because they have to, not because they did the stuff wrong.
So, what gives? A fuck, me thinks.

Also, if one of the message of the story is what it is, the author is a toxic turd, no, his own words through his own work, not mine.
Mustn't we separate work from author?

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t for me. I spent quite a bit of time trying to understand what was happening. A group of people are transported to a magic castle and after navigating some monsters they figure out that they need to fight until only one person remains and this one person will gain power and magic. The story had too many confusing flashbacks for me. I think it needed a bit more explanation. The artwork and colouring are great. The story is hard to follow.

[David Alday · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an impressive start, if we're being honest. The pacing is off, and I'm hard pressed to care about any of the characters.

Of course, it does a good job giving fealty to all the current sacred cows - I'm sure you do what you have to do to get published, but it's going to become dated extremely quickly.

Will I read the next one? Probably. But I'm not going out of my way to find it.