The Hydras of Argolide

Horlemonde #2

by Patrick Galliano, Bazal (Artist), Cédric Peyravernay (Artist)

A rich Sci-Fi saga adapted from the work of Julia Verlanger, one of the most celebrated authors of the French science fiction movement of the 1970s.

Humans have scattered and occupied the known universe for so long that many worlds have forgotten their true, Earthly origins. The planets which retain the memory of the Formers have allied together, creating a Galactic Federation, whereas the Retros are worlds that have returned to a more archaic, primitive, and isolationist way of life. The Federation entrusts its best agent, Marce, with a delicate, yet vital, mission to help a retro world called Almagiel evolve. But political machinations, brutal living conditions, and deadly creatures may prove to be the agent's undoing.

Genres: Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Fiction

57 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2014

Reviews

[Mirnes Alispahić · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized why I like this Retro Worlds setting of Julia Verlanger, or rather its graphic novel adaptation. Its art reminds me of Heavy Metal and works of Luis Royo. Fast paced story doesn't leave much for character development and can be all over the place sometimes, but I don't think author's intention was this story to be anything deep.
Brotherhood of Stars watches the society of one of the retroworlds, swamp planet of Almagiel where voting is to be held on which the fate of the planet will be decided. Lords of Almagiel knows about starmen, but not all of them are eager to join the Brotherhood, thus chase ensues. Fun read. Great art.

[Freya LaRouge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad things worked out in the end

I'm glad that the proper murderer was discovered, and things proceeded in a way that was good for the planet. I wish Marce would have made it because him and Jatred would have been a good team. There were some pretty interesting escapes I involved and some weird creatures too.

[Mike Tilley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok. The artwork is good, but the story relies on way too many unlikely coincidences that work in favor of the good guys. They need something to get them out of a scrape - bingo! it's right there. I'm guessing the original source material had more depth and context, but for me this just felt too dumbed-down.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

See volume one for my comments.

The switch of artist is hardly noticeable, but I think Peyravernay was more assured than Bazal, but more detailed hence busier to the eye. They are of similar quality.

[Johan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This comic, artwork and story, felt old, as The Trigan Empire and Storm by Don Lawrence old. It was unable to hold my attention.

PS: I have enjoyed the work of Don Lawrence when I was in my teens and tweens, but not after that.

[C. Varn · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the ending of this is more cohesive than the beginning, the other issues of plot and art remain. The scenes are too busy and while figure work is solid and coloring is stunning, it is still often hard to tell characters apart. The plot is serviceable and the dialogue seems stilted.