Spera Vol. 2

Spera #2

by Josh Tierney

Collected digitally for the first time, Spera: Volume 2 brings the same gorgeous artistry as its debut installment and twice the adventure! In this sequel to the critically acclaimed first volume, exiled princesses Pira and Lono travel to the bustling city of Kotequog to avoid the clutches of Pira's mother, the Evil Queen. Obtaining jobs as adventurers, the two best friends set out on a series of quests that land them in perhaps more excitement than they'd bargained for. The series, based off the original webcomic experiment, brings artists together from around the globe to showcase their talents as some of the premier fantasy artists in the industry. Spera will appeal to art lovers and children of all ages, especially fans of The Legend of Korra, Patricia Wrede's Dealing with Dragons, Disney's Tangled, and the Flight series.

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Adventure, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2012

Reviews

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the writing in volume two of Spera is a bit tighter than in the first volume. I could still do without the short stories at the end. They just aren't as good as the main story, and there's a fair bit of repetition. Having each chapter and short story illustrated by a different artist is kind of a double edged sword. When the artists are good, as most of these are, it's a bonus. But there's a few artists whose work I don't like, for various reasons, and that just drags the whole thing down. If the stories weren't so interrelated, I could skip the ones I didn't like. But important plot developments sometimes happen in the short stories, so I can't do that. I think I would rather that Tierney just worked with a smaller number of artists who were all really good.

[zxvasdf · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started on this, I wasn't too impressed. It seemed like one of these books marketed to young adults that seem to blend together, no matter which one you read. I gave it the old college try, and found it up my alley.

Two princesses apparently exiled (I missed the first trade paperback) from their kingdoms, and they're working to regain it with the assistance of a fire spirit who goes about in the form of a male human or dog.

What immediately caught my interest was the writer's willingness to work with many talented artists to bring an unique perspective to a single story line. This shows much more in the end of the book where there is a short story collection showing facets of the characters that are sad, humorous, and just plain revealing.

Pira is the princess that's been pampered so independent living is new to her, while Lono has an obsession with monster hunting. Between the two of them and their fire spirit, they manage to get out of whatever knotty situation Lono (yep she's the troublemaker) gets them into.

It's also hinted that the two princesses may be more than just friends and it's nice to see a male writer approaching this controversial issue in a manner that is empowering and respectful to women and any female readers of the series.

[Ken Yuen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still really like the characters, but the constantly shifting art and tone is a consistent distracting irritation. I really wish I could say I appreciated all the different effort that the different artists put into the work, but I really wish this were a more simple consistent plot/tone/art style.

Off topic, took a long time to read this because the copy I was reading had the page ripped out, so I had to order a new copy. I'm not that slow a reader!

[Alex E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 2 continues world building to really flesh out not only the environments around our main characters, but the relationships with each other.

I really feel like Josh Tierney is hitting a groove on this volume, as it feel much more natural and flows much more easily. In the first volume, the series had a bit of a confused feel at times, and it felt like it was trying to find exactly what it was. This one is written more confidently and the pacing feels that much better for it.

Basically in this one, the team goes to a populated city to join a hunting lodge and generally... just keep adventuring. Yonder leaves the team as Pira has mentioned he is opt to do, and Lono starts formal side kick training, as she is becoming more of a supporting member of the actual fighting at times. Also, Chobo the cat gets a bit of spotlight and a new member to the team is introduced.

The art is handled again by a rotating roster of excellent artists. They are all interesting and bring their own style to the book. I really like this aspect of Spera as it makes it feel more legendary, as if people are giving their own interpretations on the legend of these characters There is something for everyone as far as the art, same as volume 1.

Overall, a really fun and creative volume of Spera.

[Colona Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This maybe one of those art pieces that each illustration is writing it's own chapter to the story as a giant collaboration So the plot in this story is still pretty pointless but It does make up for a really interesting traveling story and (omg!) each chapter has a different illustrator! I really loved that about this book that a ton of artists got to do a chapter and you can tell that art can really set a tone for the book. I like some illustrations much better than others but it's the experience that really matters. This really shows that there are ton of different styles of art out there that can change what you feel about the book even if they are all telling a piece of the same story! ~Ashley

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vol. 2's writing still as slow and dull as Vol. 1. There are places where mundane conversations should be stuffed into one or two panels instead of entire pages. Artwork couldn't be better. Gave it a 4 out of 5 because it's a great showcase of illustrators. Had potential, maybe a cowriter could give this series a jolt.

[D.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more engaging than the first volume, continuing with the episodic adventures. I think it finds its rhythm more. We also get a new character added to the party!

But it's not enough for me to want to finish this series. my library only has the first two volumes anyway.

SN: Wieszczyk's artwork was gorgeous!

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good volume.

[Karly Glauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the artwork, the colors, and the story. The adventures are just more exciting and grand in this book. Very much looking forward to the next issue.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like all the different artists, but the story’s going nowhere fast.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Sooo much better than the first one.

[Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got a copy of this at TCAF and happy to say that although they had sold out of the first volume of thise series, this is one of these series that you can read out of order without losing too much. The basic plot is two princesses on the run from an evil queen and what they learn about themselves and each other as thy journey throughout the lands of Spera.

I don't mind that the format of the book is four (or five) chapters and then a collection of short stories. I feel it gives the reader multiple perspectives and gives you a chance to view the world through several more artists' different lenses. I do agree with some of the other reviews though that some of the art fits the story better than others and that perhaps the main plot should've been left out of these short stories though. At the same time, I feel that you could argue that the author and artists wanted there to be a sort of old-school RPG feel to how you discover tidbits about the characters through the short stories. Sort of like in games like Nier where some of the characters reveal more of their persona and past through the side-missions you take on. Of course, like those RPGs, it's not gonna be everyone's cup of tea so I respect that this doesn't cut it for some readers. For me though, I felt it worked well for the type of story the author was telling.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It feels very much like the first volume, with many of the same complaints. It also raises new questions: each volume so far has had about four chapters of the main story followed by slightly disconnected stories. What order do those short stories occur in? Are they chronological as presented? Certainly in this volume Pira's sword appears enchanted and they are accompanied by Chobo, both of which happened in the short stories of volume one. There is some nice art in this volume, but compared to the previous volume on average I find the art in this one less attractive. Also problematic: there is something sort of pitiful of all of these monsters Pira keeps killing; this issue was brought up clearly in one of the short stories of volume one, and continues to hang over the action in this one.

August 2017: Nothing much to add with the re-reading, except that it is strange that the bandit in the short story "Fetch Quest" looks to be the same as one of the characters in the last main chapter of this story. Also, the idea of a haunted house that rents itself is kind of clever and fun. And further blurring the idea of chronology and division between main stories and short stories is that the final short story sets up the start of the next book, rather than having the plot continue on from the main stories.

[Laura Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four chapters of in the beginning of the book, about the first half, that comprise the actual story are great. The illustrations for each of those four chapters are done by different illustrators and I thought they were very well done, also. I really enjoyed the "story" part of the book. The humor in the story flow was excellent! Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to more volumes.

I wasn't as keen on the small stories that came after the main story. There were a number of these smaller stories, none connected to the main story or each other, and each was done by different people. I did like 2 of them,"Secrets" and "Adel's Hammer" a lot, but the rest were just odd to me. Each of the stories had the characters from the main story, but the characters just weren't always the same personalities and that was somewhat jarring to me. I think the book would have been better with another couple of chapters of the main story and fewer of the small extra ones.

I read this book digitally from NetGalley.

[Sarah Schanze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another beautiful book, at least in terms of packaging. Sadly there were maybe only two artists in here who had styles I really liked. Others were too arty, some were too stiff, others not paneled well. I would probably enjoy these stories a lot more if a single person was tasked to draw them (Kyla Vanderklugt in particular). I understand that's not the point of the whole thing, and finding and highlighting different artists IS the point, and it is really nice that they do that, but some of the styles are just plain turn offs to me. Sometimes I can't recognize the characters from one artist to the next. Sometimes I like a design that one artist does, and it's not seen again. Sometimes an artist uses a font for word balloons, the next one uses a brush pen and I have to almost squint to read the dialogue. It's a book full of highs and lows.

I'm just glad Vanderklugt is a recurring artist. I'll probably continue to get these books just for her work.

[Quincy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accidentally read this first not realizing it was the second volume. As such I was a little lost at first. Most of the artists I enjoyed but there were a few styles I didn't care for but that's the risk you run having each "chapter" done by a different illustrator. Tierney has created wonderful and lush world but still suffers from loose plot control. The chapters come across as more episodic adventures with a hint of character development than overall plot development. Which is fine as each volume is released chapter by chapter and then published as a full collection. However, there are small inconsistencies that don't affect the story overall but do cause hiccups in the story's flow. Still, Spera: Volume Two was a delight to read and I can't wait for more!

[Nick Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

"You know, in all the books and poems I've read, there are never really moments where the characters simply shop or eat or do anything basic or necessary. I mean, sometimes they do that stuff but never for the sake of it. I think it's because it wouldn't be interesting."

Yes, Josh Tierney. That's precisely why books don't have moments exactly like the one you had this character describe while she was acting that very scene out: Because, as with pretty much everything else in this book, it's not interesting.

[Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still like this book but the story is still confusing to follow. I think the idea of having other people draw each chapter is intriguing but I still only like some of the artwork, maybe 90% of it. The rest is not fun. Why did I have to read a chapter where the two of them were cat people? Like really? That was pretty weird. I'm still interested in the plot, I still forget that Pira is a girl and I'll still most likely read the next one.

[Johnplavelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seems to be a collection of comics over a long period of time and yet they are related. The variations are interesting but they also make it harder to follow. The quality of some of the graphics in this graphic novel were almost childish and at times some of the text was extremely hard to read.

[Susannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one more than the first one - I think because I knew what to expect! The different artistic styles for relatively short stories are a bit jarring, and require a mental reset each time to get reused to the characters. It is still enjoyable and it is great to see empowered female role models for girls.

[Belfry · Rating 3 out of 5]

My feelings towards this volume of Spera are basically the same as the first: interesting characters, but a little light on story. I enjoyed the art in the first volume a bit more, but it's interesting seeing so many different artists showcased.

(As an aside, this series desperately needed was a letterer: the words tend to be too small and some of the handwriting borders on illegible)

[Hillingdon Libraries]

Find this book at Hillingdon Libraries

[Sarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's funny how often I think, while reading a graphic novel series, "I just want a whole book about this cat." It's what I think about Lying Cat while reading "Saga", and I want a whole book about Chobo.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5*

Better than the first volume, but still not great. The story in this one was more engaging to me, but several of the art styles had very hard-to-read text which took away from the whole experience.

[Lena Barsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fun! I didn't realize it was second in a series or I would've read the first one first — saw it at the library and picked it up on a whim. I love the work of the comic's various artists and I like the characters already. Will definitely be checking out the webcomic now!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sad to finally hit an artist who I didn't love in this series, but that was just a wee speedbump on a great ride.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, plenty of fun!

[Sarah S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one even more than the first one. Storytelling-wise it was stronger.

[Bria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too episodic, the same sorts of things happening over again without much change.