Derelict: Book 1 - Deluge

by Ben Fleuter

This book is a comic, originally released as a webcomic. The printed edition was funded on kickstarter. The air has been poisoned and the shores have been drowned. What civilization didn't crumble has had to adapt to a world under the constant threat of warmongering monsters. Those that don't live in the floating Ark Cities must scrape by as scavengers in a world that's quickly rejecting human life.

One such scavenger is Dang Thu Mai. She and her ship, Penumbra, sail lonely coastal ruin in search of salvage. While Dang want nothing more than to keep to herself, she's forced to contend with both rival scavengers and otherworldly monsters

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Tourma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the website and thoroughly enjoyed it. A dark setting with vibrant color. When the author had a moving sale I bought myself a copy of the physical book. The physical book is of heavy stock and conveys the art fantastically. It feels worth retail price.

I am eager for the eventual squeal.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept, story and artwork are all enjoyable, but I just couldn't connect with the characters. Perhaps more focused on visual than I prefer?

[Matthew Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's nothing like a good story that makes use of subtle, indirect worldbuilding. Just throw the reader into the action and gradually reveal the secrets of the world through the story rather than through dry exposition. Derelict does very well with its unique post-apocalyptic world filled with deadly fog and strange creatures. Story-wise, it has me hooked, and I'm excited to see what is to come.

However, art-wise, I was left wanting. And art is pretty important in a comic book like this. I thought the environment, technical, and creature art were great, but Fleuter doesn't seem to have the same aptitude when it comes to drawing humans. This is particularly problematic when the main character is a human. The stiff poses, awkward anatomy, odd faces, and simplistic style just didn't work for me when compared with the rest of the artwork.

Artists tend to get better the more they draw, though, so I'm looking forward to see how the future of Derelict will look.

[Nighteye · Rating 3 out of 5]

It s good dystopian comic about what have happened to our world some years ahead and a lot of mutant creatures have been created. Just something with its sad style and that nothing ever goes good, this character seams to have lost her hope which I dont like at all. That art are good and new.

[Sarah Schanze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haha, creepier than I thought it would be, but still awesome! Probably shouldn't have read it before I went to sleep.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully told and drawn.