Vortex

by William Cardini

Welcome to the psychedelic space fantasy cosmos of the Hyperverse, a realm filled with immensely powerful beings who battle over worlds with strange geologies and hoard advanced technologies left by ancient starfarers. Bold, mystical, expertly designed and engrossing - Vortex follows the powerful sorcerer the Miizzzard as he travels to a mysterious planet and battles a strange, regenerating monster. The story gets more complex as the Miizzz finds himself sympathizing with the monster and her kin. Cardini’s art is stylish and stylized in a way that is entirely unique and absorbing, just like the alien beings the Miizzzard interacts with.

Genres: Comics

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Will Cardini is a psychedelic SF cartoonist. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri with his wife and daughter. His comics include Vortex, his first graphic novel; Skew, which is available on the Study Group Comics website; and Tales from the Hyperverse, a collection of his short comics drawn from 2009 to 2017.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read sci-fi comics but I enjoyed this weird little jaunt into a very unusual, malevolent twilight zone. Cardini has a very original digi-style (the back cover blurb from Edie Fake compares it to Macpaint '85, which sounds about right). I didn't always understand exactly what was happening but it was fun, rather than off-putting, trying to figure it out.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

On pixels, blobs, textures and their actions.

[Grant M Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love each journey into the continually-expanding an d surreal Hyperverse, and Cardini continues to explore the adventures of one of his lead protagonists, the Miizzzard! The dense patterns and wavy line-work make it an engrossing visual spectacle. And the story opens up more possibilities for the structure and peculiar machinations at work with this crazy imaginative world. Definitely check it out!

[Mark Schomburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how art/form is used to show the story with little need for words. Abstract yet coherent. Reading these panels is an exercise in art perception and paying attention. Fun!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this psychedelic, (low-fi) digitally drawn book. The space sorcerer called The Miizzzard is drawn to a planet by some unusual energy readings. The energy proves to be a trap to force him to undertake a surreal journey into an organism's collective dreamscape to help the Vortex. I imagine lots of folks would be put off by the 'unconventional' art, but I was really into it. Recommended for fans of C.F.'s Powr Mastrs 1 books and other out-there comics.

[Glade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this artist. Psychedelic sci-fi graphic novel, a true art comic.