What remains after the end of the world? For the last of humanity in a world of perpetual winter, the only way to survive is to adapt—but for Lynx Takuma, the past cannot be so easily left behind.
Samuel Sattin is an American writer. His books include the multi-volume Unico series for Scholastic Graphix, Buzzing, Side Quest, The Silent End, and (as co-author) both A Kids Guide to Anime and Manga and The Essential Anime Guide: 50 Iconic Films, Standout Series, and Cult Masterpieces. He has also adapted the Academy Award-nominated films WolfWalkers, Song of the Sea, and The Secret of Kells to the graphic novel format. He graduated with an MFA in comics from the California College of the Arts and works as a studio writer for Schulz Creative Associates, aka Snoopy Central. Samuel resides with his wife in Northern California, and travels frequently to Japan.
This is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi graphic novel that explores bio enhanced machines. It is fast paced and very easy to read while still being engaging. Even though it ends on a cliffhanger, I definitely am interested in continuing on with the series (hoping to see further volumes released).
The artwork is beautiful and highly descriptive, often telling the story clearly even without text. The panel layout flows smoothly and is comfortable to read. The lettering is clear, and complements the artwork nicely.
I do wish the story was slightly longer so there could be more background and development for the characters. Overall, It was enjoyable and visually engaging read.
Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ Media for the ARC!!
As a warning, this volume ends on a cliffhanger — as many of them do — with no sign of book 2, yet. Taking place in a city of the haves and the havenots, Lynx and Task, two officers from the small police department, decide to go angel hunting. These angels aren’t biblical horrors or the kinder guardian angels of popular culture, but people (maybe?) who are the victims of a new drug. In the midst of all this Task is dealing with his PTSD and alcoholism, Lynx is dealing with the loss of her wife, and Lynx’s son is acting out at school. Oh, and their boss has it out for them.
Lynx comes across as flat and monotone, but she’s going through a great deal of trauma and grief, and her way of coping is to ignore the pain and just keep walking forward. She doesn’t know how to help her son, or how to help Task who is facing his own demons. Task drowns his sorrows in drink, a few drugs, and maybe some extracurricular activities, but he’s a loyal friend and willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with Lynx as they try to do their jobs, even though all they seem to do is collect bodies, these days.
I loved the art, both of the humans and the monsters, which is stylized enough to turn this violent book about the abuse of power by those with money and the suffering of those without into a sleek, almost elegant visual story. From robotic forms to angels, people mutated by the drugs they take and fluffy bunnies, it paints a vivid picture of this grim and broken world.
I can’t wait for the next book to find out what’s going on. Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!
The cover for this is what truely hooked me and I think that the premise was super fascinating. However, I found the story to be lacking a little bit. I also think that this pages really could have benefited from some colour. It was difficult to distinguish certain elements at times with only greyscale. I was expecting to be apart of the audience as someone who loves the Saga graphic novel series Unfortunately I didn’t, but it was enjoyable enough. All that said there is definitely an audience for this; I think those that gravitate more towards manga - like Tokyo Ghoul and My Hero Academia- are more likely to really enjoy all the great things that this had to offer.