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Titan
When MNGR First Class João da Silva arrives on the moon of Titan to take charge of Homestead Station, he finds the massive mining colony plagued by tensions between the giant, genetically-engineered Titan workers and the Terran management. As anger mounts, what began as a routine posting quickly turns into something far more dangerous.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2020
1 person is currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
François Vigneault
30 books46 followersFrançois Vigneault is an American-born cartoonist living in Québec.
His sci-fi graphic novel TITAN (Oni Press, 2020) was originally published in French by Éditions Pow Pow in 2017 and has been called 'a smart, stylish political sci-fi romance thriller' by the Comics Journal. TITAN has been nominated for multiple prizes, including the Prix Des Libraries Québec and the Joe Shuster Award for Best Cartoonist.
He is the illustrator of the series Orcs in Space and the children's book Extraordinary Eyeglasses and the co-creator of 13e Avenue , a YA graphic novel created with Geneviève Pettersen and published by Éditions de la Pastèque, which won the inaugural Prix Des Libraries Québec award for best youth graphic novel, along with prizes at the Trois Rivieres and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Book Festivals, and has been nominated for many others, including the Prix des Collèges at the 2020 Angoulême Comics Festival.
His translations (French to English) include the upcoming The Jellyfish King (co-translated with author Brecht Evens), the series Talli: Daughter of the Moon, and the graphic novels Boulet's Notes and The Immersion Program
His comics and illustrations have appeared in NOW, Planches, XINO, Cayrel's Ring, The Feathertale Review, The Portland Mercury, The California Sunday, Kayak Magazine, This Magazine, CRAFT Magazine, Papercutter, and the Society of Illustrators Cartoon and Comic Art Annual.
His sci-fi graphic novel TITAN (Oni Press, 2020) was originally published in French by Éditions Pow Pow in 2017 and has been called 'a smart, stylish political sci-fi romance thriller' by the Comics Journal. TITAN has been nominated for multiple prizes, including the Prix Des Libraries Québec and the Joe Shuster Award for Best Cartoonist.
He is the illustrator of the series Orcs in Space and the children's book Extraordinary Eyeglasses and the co-creator of 13e Avenue , a YA graphic novel created with Geneviève Pettersen and published by Éditions de la Pastèque, which won the inaugural Prix Des Libraries Québec award for best youth graphic novel, along with prizes at the Trois Rivieres and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Book Festivals, and has been nominated for many others, including the Prix des Collèges at the 2020 Angoulême Comics Festival.
His translations (French to English) include the upcoming The Jellyfish King (co-translated with author Brecht Evens), the series Talli: Daughter of the Moon, and the graphic novels Boulet's Notes and The Immersion Program
His comics and illustrations have appeared in NOW, Planches, XINO, Cayrel's Ring, The Feathertale Review, The Portland Mercury, The California Sunday, Kayak Magazine, This Magazine, CRAFT Magazine, Papercutter, and the Society of Illustrators Cartoon and Comic Art Annual.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
October 21, 2021
Titan is a science fiction graphic novel artfully illustrated by François Vigneault. It manages in a relatively short space to explore issues of racism, inter-planetary colonialism and capitalism. The novel is (interestingly) told from the point of view of João, a Terran MNGR who is sent on a mission to Homestead on the moon Titan to increase a mine’s productivity. Phoebe is a genetically enhanced laborer and former MMA fighter who joins forces (and bodies, not sci-fi for littl'uns) with João to see if management and labor can work together to their mutual interests.
The result in part derives from the ways capitalism undermines and exploits everyone’s needs, and complicates an either/or view of the system. Faults abound on each side; these are humans, not pawns in some literary-ideological chess game. There’s rebellion by the Titans, but not all the rebels are saints, of course. It’s complicated, and that’s what I like about it.
I like very much the relationship between the two main characters, their struggles to create a basis for working together with respect, and then the romance. I'd like to know more about their back-stories, sure, but for what this is, it's enough for me.
In the way of many recent graphic novels and comics series, you get a read-along music playlist, a song or two pertinent to every chapter. I like the music, which (when I found the list, in the appendix) I played as I read. Here’s one I like but hadn't known, "Terra," sung by Caetano Veloso:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWbry...
And here's an English translation of the lyrics, if you're interested:
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/terra-...
I am not a huge sci-fi fan, but I like stories about economic inequity, and labor issues, and I like the decent amount of character development and the focus on these questions packed into this novel. I like the art--accomplished and a bit messy, like the politics.
The result in part derives from the ways capitalism undermines and exploits everyone’s needs, and complicates an either/or view of the system. Faults abound on each side; these are humans, not pawns in some literary-ideological chess game. There’s rebellion by the Titans, but not all the rebels are saints, of course. It’s complicated, and that’s what I like about it.
I like very much the relationship between the two main characters, their struggles to create a basis for working together with respect, and then the romance. I'd like to know more about their back-stories, sure, but for what this is, it's enough for me.
In the way of many recent graphic novels and comics series, you get a read-along music playlist, a song or two pertinent to every chapter. I like the music, which (when I found the list, in the appendix) I played as I read. Here’s one I like but hadn't known, "Terra," sung by Caetano Veloso:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWbry...
And here's an English translation of the lyrics, if you're interested:
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/terra-...
I am not a huge sci-fi fan, but I like stories about economic inequity, and labor issues, and I like the decent amount of character development and the focus on these questions packed into this novel. I like the art--accomplished and a bit messy, like the politics.
November 16, 2020
This is the spoiler free review for Titan, a Graphic novel about the struggle of working class versus management that will seemingly go on for all eternity. If you would like to read the spoiler full review complete with adult themes please visit here: https://amanjareads.com/2020/11/11/ti...
Thank you so much to author Francois Vigneault for providing me with a copy of Titan in exchange for this honest review.
I've spent my whole adult life as an entry level worker. Various fields, various locations, various vocations. But I still haven't found that "career path." This means I've spent my whole adult life battling managers, supervisors, captains, leaders of all sorts who have the audacity to tell me how to do a job they've never done.
Because of this I found Titan extraordinarily relatable. It's the story of miners on Jupiter's moon Titan. The Titan workers are large humans engineered specifically to withstand the low gravity atmosphere of the moon. This specific mine has been underperforming due to outdated equipment, lack of funding, and possibly some less than adequate workers.
Joao is the Terran human sent by management to straighten the place up. It's his job to determine how to make the mine more profitable and more efficient.
Now, as a worker, when I hear that management wants to stick its nose in my business and tell me how to do my job I cringe. We all do. We know they need to do their jobs we just never like how they do it. Get me better equipment and then we can talk about my performance!
But Titan actually made me feel for Joao as well as the miners. From his perspective his duties make sense and I can understand why he would do the things he does. The most truly shocking part of Titan to me was that I would ever sympathize with management.
The reader gets to feel for both sides through the relationship between Joao and outspoken union representative Phoebe. We can understand both of their positions and therefore see all sides to the conflict.
Somehow I was rooting for both of them even though they are in what seems to be direct opposition. The key is humanization. These characters are real and they have far more to them than just their job titles.
Titan is a science fiction graphic novel that is definitely for an adult audience. In order to fully appreciate the book it definitely will help if you held a few jobs.
Additionally it does contain graphic sex and some violence. Just as a heads up for anyone thinking that a book about unionized workers could be for their kids.
Graphic novels like Titan are a marvelous medium for this brand of realistic science fiction. We get to see some tech that is likely coming in the not too distant future, some space travel, and some nudity. Win, win, win.
Titan is now available in english and I highly recommend you pick up a copy for you and all your coworkers.
Thank you so much to author Francois Vigneault for providing me with a copy of Titan in exchange for this honest review.
I've spent my whole adult life as an entry level worker. Various fields, various locations, various vocations. But I still haven't found that "career path." This means I've spent my whole adult life battling managers, supervisors, captains, leaders of all sorts who have the audacity to tell me how to do a job they've never done.
Because of this I found Titan extraordinarily relatable. It's the story of miners on Jupiter's moon Titan. The Titan workers are large humans engineered specifically to withstand the low gravity atmosphere of the moon. This specific mine has been underperforming due to outdated equipment, lack of funding, and possibly some less than adequate workers.
Joao is the Terran human sent by management to straighten the place up. It's his job to determine how to make the mine more profitable and more efficient.
Now, as a worker, when I hear that management wants to stick its nose in my business and tell me how to do my job I cringe. We all do. We know they need to do their jobs we just never like how they do it. Get me better equipment and then we can talk about my performance!
But Titan actually made me feel for Joao as well as the miners. From his perspective his duties make sense and I can understand why he would do the things he does. The most truly shocking part of Titan to me was that I would ever sympathize with management.
The reader gets to feel for both sides through the relationship between Joao and outspoken union representative Phoebe. We can understand both of their positions and therefore see all sides to the conflict.
Somehow I was rooting for both of them even though they are in what seems to be direct opposition. The key is humanization. These characters are real and they have far more to them than just their job titles.
Titan is a science fiction graphic novel that is definitely for an adult audience. In order to fully appreciate the book it definitely will help if you held a few jobs.
Additionally it does contain graphic sex and some violence. Just as a heads up for anyone thinking that a book about unionized workers could be for their kids.
Graphic novels like Titan are a marvelous medium for this brand of realistic science fiction. We get to see some tech that is likely coming in the not too distant future, some space travel, and some nudity. Win, win, win.
Titan is now available in english and I highly recommend you pick up a copy for you and all your coworkers.
February 3, 2021
It's management vs. labor as an evil space energy corporation and Earth government exploits angry miners on Titan, a moon of Saturn. The miners are genetically-engineered to be giants in Titan's low gravity, but would be crushed by Earth's gravity. Despite the size of the Titans, Terrans treat them as lesser beings, disposable cogs in the great capitalistic machine. Star-crossed love and MMA fighting are thrown in in an attempt to make things more lively with some regular sex and violence.
I found the message of the book confusing. The corporation is portrayed as oppressive, but the book also seems like anti-union propaganda, with a manipulative union leader nicknamed Cyrus the Great (a historical hero of the Jews) drawn in what appears to me to be anti-semitic caricature. It seems to want to be about a slave uprising, yet mostly portrays the revolutionaries as terrorists or duped masses. There are what can be perceived as good and bad people on both sides of a nasty conflict that involves discrimination, oppression, and classism.
I just never really engaged with all the moral murkiness.
I found the message of the book confusing. The corporation is portrayed as oppressive, but the book also seems like anti-union propaganda, with a manipulative union leader nicknamed Cyrus the Great (a historical hero of the Jews) drawn in what appears to me to be anti-semitic caricature. It seems to want to be about a slave uprising, yet mostly portrays the revolutionaries as terrorists or duped masses. There are what can be perceived as good and bad people on both sides of a nasty conflict that involves discrimination, oppression, and classism.
I just never really engaged with all the moral murkiness.
September 13, 2020
I received a copy of this from Netgalley!
Content warning: violence, sex
Titan is a science-fiction graphic novel that critiques capitalism and colonialism. MNGR João goes to Titan to sort out the productivity of a struggling space colony, and finds a station plagued by growing divisions between the giant Titan workers and the Terran management. With the help of a Titan, Phoebe, they must try to save Homestead and the rest of the world from riots and disaster.
The two main characters were intriguing, if underdeveloped and cliché (more 20th century sci-fi music lovers?? At least the music choices were good). Phoebe’s backstory and arc was my favourite, with her inner conflict and loyalties. It was also interesting to see how João, as part of the privileged ruling class, realises that he can’t be the saviour, and only antagonises the Titans further by trying to single-handedly solve Homestead’s problems. The other characters were diverse but a little one-dimensional.
The story was fast-paced and contained a lot in a short amount of time, with some unexpected twists. I felt like the book was too short to explore everything though, and the ending felt rushed with the time jump.
I really enjoyed the artwork and contrast of black, white and pink. It enhanced the space atmosphere and intensified the violent action and sex scenes, without making them too graphic.
Overall, I liked the story but I didn’t feel much for it.
Content warning: violence, sex
Titan is a science-fiction graphic novel that critiques capitalism and colonialism. MNGR João goes to Titan to sort out the productivity of a struggling space colony, and finds a station plagued by growing divisions between the giant Titan workers and the Terran management. With the help of a Titan, Phoebe, they must try to save Homestead and the rest of the world from riots and disaster.
The two main characters were intriguing, if underdeveloped and cliché (more 20th century sci-fi music lovers?? At least the music choices were good). Phoebe’s backstory and arc was my favourite, with her inner conflict and loyalties. It was also interesting to see how João, as part of the privileged ruling class, realises that he can’t be the saviour, and only antagonises the Titans further by trying to single-handedly solve Homestead’s problems. The other characters were diverse but a little one-dimensional.
The story was fast-paced and contained a lot in a short amount of time, with some unexpected twists. I felt like the book was too short to explore everything though, and the ending felt rushed with the time jump.
I really enjoyed the artwork and contrast of black, white and pink. It enhanced the space atmosphere and intensified the violent action and sex scenes, without making them too graphic.
Overall, I liked the story but I didn’t feel much for it.
January 13, 2021
A graphic novel that shows what can happen when tensions rise between two different groups; one of which has been ignored and overshadowed for decades. When MNGR Joao da Silva gets sent to the moon of Titan to try and get the Homestead colony back on track and profitable he can't believe how tense it is between the genetically made giant Titan workers and their Terran management. The Titan workers are angry and waiting to strike. They've been over worked and under paid. The Terran management are frightened and distrustful of their workers. The whole situation is a powder keg. Phoebe Mackintosh is a Titan with a history of fighting but when she is sent as liaison to Joao da Silva she finds something alluring in him and he in her. They have to work together to save their planet and find a better way - but what if they're too late. A wonderfully illustrated graphic novel that proves how relevant science fiction can be to the world we live in now.
March 8, 2020
Really enjoyable. A take on colonialism and profiteering made more interesting by the subjugated being intrinsically physically superior along with other sci-fi based flavouring. Romance plot is very charming. The illustration is effective, thorough, and presented with a unique style. The world is fleshed out and busy. The colour and shading is one of my favourite parts as well.
Arguably light-handed in its treatment of it’s heavy themes. But otherwise, in my opinion, it succeeds at everything it attempts in being a very engaging read.
Arguably light-handed in its treatment of it’s heavy themes. But otherwise, in my opinion, it succeeds at everything it attempts in being a very engaging read.
November 13, 2020
Thank you to Oni Press for a digital copy via NetGalley of ‘Titan’ written and illustrated by François Vigneault in exchange for an honest review.
This science fiction graphic novel starts off slowly and builds to an impressive climax. MNGR First Class João da Silva arrives on the moon of Titan in order to take charge of Homestead Station. He discovers that the mining colony there is plagued by tensions between the giant, genetically-engineered Titan workers and its Terran management.
He quickly finds himself clashing with Cyrus, the Head of the Homestead Union, yet finds an unexpected ally in Phoebe Mackintosh, Cyrus’ deputy. As anger mounts among the Titans, they must find a way to pull Homestead back from the brink of disaster...
At first I wasn’t that taken with Vigneault’s artwork as it was a little too cartoony for my taste, but as I continued reading it grew on me, though those panels with white text on pink background and pale pink text on white background were a bit difficult to read.
François Vigneault’s world building was excellent and I was surprised how exciting industrial relations could turn out to be! I felt that Phoebe and João made very appealing leads.
Vigneault uses his Titan location to explore issues of racism and colonialism as well as to criticise capitalism. There are some scenes that contain strong violence and also a explicit love scene. Vigneault highlights the latter through the use of a dark red and black palette.
So, after a slow start, I found this a highly effective graphic novel about the struggle for workers’ rights on a moon of Saturn with the extra bonus of a touching love story featuring star-crossed lovers.
This science fiction graphic novel starts off slowly and builds to an impressive climax. MNGR First Class João da Silva arrives on the moon of Titan in order to take charge of Homestead Station. He discovers that the mining colony there is plagued by tensions between the giant, genetically-engineered Titan workers and its Terran management.
He quickly finds himself clashing with Cyrus, the Head of the Homestead Union, yet finds an unexpected ally in Phoebe Mackintosh, Cyrus’ deputy. As anger mounts among the Titans, they must find a way to pull Homestead back from the brink of disaster...
At first I wasn’t that taken with Vigneault’s artwork as it was a little too cartoony for my taste, but as I continued reading it grew on me, though those panels with white text on pink background and pale pink text on white background were a bit difficult to read.
François Vigneault’s world building was excellent and I was surprised how exciting industrial relations could turn out to be! I felt that Phoebe and João made very appealing leads.
Vigneault uses his Titan location to explore issues of racism and colonialism as well as to criticise capitalism. There are some scenes that contain strong violence and also a explicit love scene. Vigneault highlights the latter through the use of a dark red and black palette.
So, after a slow start, I found this a highly effective graphic novel about the struggle for workers’ rights on a moon of Saturn with the extra bonus of a touching love story featuring star-crossed lovers.
June 23, 2020
I think Titan is a solid dystopian sci-fi tale that has (unfortunately) more relevance today than I would like it to - dealing with class and race wars through a limited palette of ink work that really honors and is evolved from Vigneault's origins in the mini-comic and zine world.
I think Titan's one weakness is pacing - there are a few moments that seemed rushed and could use from a few more panels here and there. That said, the illustrated title pages do a great job of providing emotional pause, as well as tying in the musical inspiration and themes that run through the book.
All of Chekhov's guns get fired here, and the story has enough twists and turns to make the final climax satisfying yet leaving you wanting for more. I'm definitely looking forward to whatever Vigneault creates next.
I think Titan's one weakness is pacing - there are a few moments that seemed rushed and could use from a few more panels here and there. That said, the illustrated title pages do a great job of providing emotional pause, as well as tying in the musical inspiration and themes that run through the book.
All of Chekhov's guns get fired here, and the story has enough twists and turns to make the final climax satisfying yet leaving you wanting for more. I'm definitely looking forward to whatever Vigneault creates next.
August 3, 2020
* I acquired a copy of this arc through Netgallery*
Initial Thoughts: A really interesting read on worker's rights, capitalism, revolution and war. I wish it had been longer and the character's a little more fleshed out but it was good nonetheless!
Review:
*Trigger Warnings: violence, sex, infidelity*
A captivating sci-fi graphic novel that explores the horror and intricacies of capitalism in deep space through the characters of João and Phoebe.
João is a privileged Terran MNGR fist class who is sent on a mission to Homestead on the moon Titan to increase the plan't productivity. When he lands he is naive in believing he can act as some form of saviour and unite Terran management leaders and the genetically-engineered Titans, and doesn't understand why the Titans are reluctant to accept his leadership or control over them. Vigneault then expertly manages to challenge this naivety and João's beliefs in the system Terrans have created on Titan to showcase what capitalism has done to Titans.
This contrast well with the character of Phoebe, a Titan, who appears sympathetic to Terran culture and João when he is received badly. However, Phoebe is captivating with several layers to her that Vigneault pulls back as her beliefs and loyalties are routinely challenged in the story and overall I really enjoyed reading her arc.
The story manages to follow the issues of rebellion, war and capitalism well with Vigneault routinely testing the beliefs, morals and loyalties of both sides of these conflicts. However the main conflict presented here is clearly the concept of capitalism and it provides a rather damning assessment of how capitalism impacts workers, it's faintly reminiscent of Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman' at times due to this.
The artwork of this is also beautiful and manages to encapsulates the horrors of the books without making it too gory for the reader to look at.
The book does have it's issues chiefly in it's failure to fully explore the two main characters as I believe I only knew them on a surface level, but also it could have explored the nuances of the issues and conflicts it was presenting further.
Overall it was a great sci-fi graphic novel and one I would recommend to readers, however if you don't want to read about sex scenes or mass violence this may not be for you.
My full review: https://moonlitbooks.home.blog/2020/0...
Initial Thoughts: A really interesting read on worker's rights, capitalism, revolution and war. I wish it had been longer and the character's a little more fleshed out but it was good nonetheless!
Review:
*Trigger Warnings: violence, sex, infidelity*
A captivating sci-fi graphic novel that explores the horror and intricacies of capitalism in deep space through the characters of João and Phoebe.
João is a privileged Terran MNGR fist class who is sent on a mission to Homestead on the moon Titan to increase the plan't productivity. When he lands he is naive in believing he can act as some form of saviour and unite Terran management leaders and the genetically-engineered Titans, and doesn't understand why the Titans are reluctant to accept his leadership or control over them. Vigneault then expertly manages to challenge this naivety and João's beliefs in the system Terrans have created on Titan to showcase what capitalism has done to Titans.
This contrast well with the character of Phoebe, a Titan, who appears sympathetic to Terran culture and João when he is received badly. However, Phoebe is captivating with several layers to her that Vigneault pulls back as her beliefs and loyalties are routinely challenged in the story and overall I really enjoyed reading her arc.
The story manages to follow the issues of rebellion, war and capitalism well with Vigneault routinely testing the beliefs, morals and loyalties of both sides of these conflicts. However the main conflict presented here is clearly the concept of capitalism and it provides a rather damning assessment of how capitalism impacts workers, it's faintly reminiscent of Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman' at times due to this.
The artwork of this is also beautiful and manages to encapsulates the horrors of the books without making it too gory for the reader to look at.
The book does have it's issues chiefly in it's failure to fully explore the two main characters as I believe I only knew them on a surface level, but also it could have explored the nuances of the issues and conflicts it was presenting further.
Overall it was a great sci-fi graphic novel and one I would recommend to readers, however if you don't want to read about sex scenes or mass violence this may not be for you.
My full review: https://moonlitbooks.home.blog/2020/0...
April 6, 2020
Titan is decent bit of sci-fi agit prop, though its broader strokes do seem to hit the plot buttons of many a generic sci-fi rabble rouser. MNGR Da Silva is sent to Homestead, a colony on Titan where a soon to be obsolete energy mining operation is being carried out by Titans - humans genetically engineered to be able to work in the conditions in space. And what is set up is fundamentally a labour dispute between the management and the workers, with of course a love story across the barricades and then a denouement which is bitter sweet. The art is rough, jagged and gets the sense of this colony on the edge of obsolescence, with sex scenes with a Peter Bagge earthiness. Its coloured in primarily pinks and black (apart from some sequences with have a navy wash which is really quite ugly), and striking during the striking. That said there are issues with scale in places where Da Silva, and his liason Phoebe vary hugely in relative scale to each other which might be part of the sketchy art but its a really important part of the story and should have been fixed.
I suppose my only issue with it was one that is a little unfair to the piece, since I know at its heart it is talking about historical labour disputes and workers revolts and is happy to portray that as an unavoidable cycle of predatory capitalism. However it redraw it to take place in a Lancashire Mill Town and the story is more or less the same. Including the desire to have actual bad guys (the dodgy trigger happy security guard and the Union leader with a plan). Whilst I think Vigneault is at pains to try and show that the system of exploitation and human nature is the actual evil here, having a couple of instigating baddies - whilst great for storytelling - undermines the actual anti-capitalist argument (it would have worked fine if these guys hadn't whipped up trouble). The book does claw it back in its epilogue a touch, but I don't think the morality of the piece is as clear as it might be. I am also a little tired of my future protagonists being big fans of 20th Century Music - namely the 20C music the author likes to listen to. Its lazy characterisation. So I guess I admired this rather than loved it, because I want to see a lot more labour uprisings in my space comics, and I don't mind a star crossed romance, but they don't have to listen to Psycho Candy whilst getting it on.
#netgalley
I suppose my only issue with it was one that is a little unfair to the piece, since I know at its heart it is talking about historical labour disputes and workers revolts and is happy to portray that as an unavoidable cycle of predatory capitalism. However it redraw it to take place in a Lancashire Mill Town and the story is more or less the same. Including the desire to have actual bad guys (the dodgy trigger happy security guard and the Union leader with a plan). Whilst I think Vigneault is at pains to try and show that the system of exploitation and human nature is the actual evil here, having a couple of instigating baddies - whilst great for storytelling - undermines the actual anti-capitalist argument (it would have worked fine if these guys hadn't whipped up trouble). The book does claw it back in its epilogue a touch, but I don't think the morality of the piece is as clear as it might be. I am also a little tired of my future protagonists being big fans of 20th Century Music - namely the 20C music the author likes to listen to. Its lazy characterisation. So I guess I admired this rather than loved it, because I want to see a lot more labour uprisings in my space comics, and I don't mind a star crossed romance, but they don't have to listen to Psycho Candy whilst getting it on.
#netgalley
December 20, 2020
François Vigneault's wonderfully illustrated sci-fi graphic novel TITAN applies the Marxist labor theory of value as a lens with which to examine labor and gender dynamics in the relationship between Phoebe - a genetically-enhanced dominant/active female laborer-fighter and Joao - the passive/subordinate effete male manager who represents the capitalist moon-mining authority subjugating them both.
TITAN's engaging plot is compelled by masterfully sublime characterization; after labor and management literally become bedfellows a workers dispute erupts in violence and the characters are faced with no easy resolution. The writing in TITAN admirably strives for and achieves a balanced representation of messy and complicated human dynamics in a volatile workplace and corporate industry facing stagnation.
Within the consistent formal constraint of a 6-panel page grid the cartoonist effectively employs a full suite of tools: an artist's fully-realized command of figurative portrayal, bold and stylized brush work, a designer's sense of page layout, a striking and thoughtfully deployed color palette, active backgrounds filled with vehicles and tubes and pipes and consoles shimmering with lines and angles that evoke futuristic Kirby-esque environments.
Thoroughly entertaining and insightful TITAN offers thoughtful suggestions about the future challenges - and limitations - of labor and human potential.
TITAN's engaging plot is compelled by masterfully sublime characterization; after labor and management literally become bedfellows a workers dispute erupts in violence and the characters are faced with no easy resolution. The writing in TITAN admirably strives for and achieves a balanced representation of messy and complicated human dynamics in a volatile workplace and corporate industry facing stagnation.
Within the consistent formal constraint of a 6-panel page grid the cartoonist effectively employs a full suite of tools: an artist's fully-realized command of figurative portrayal, bold and stylized brush work, a designer's sense of page layout, a striking and thoughtfully deployed color palette, active backgrounds filled with vehicles and tubes and pipes and consoles shimmering with lines and angles that evoke futuristic Kirby-esque environments.
Thoroughly entertaining and insightful TITAN offers thoughtful suggestions about the future challenges - and limitations - of labor and human potential.
May 5, 2020
This is a really good graphic sci-fi novel about inter-planetary colonisation, exploitation and rebellion. Two races exist, the giant Titans and the Terrans, but the Titans are an exploited race amd an underclass and there is rebellion on the horizon.
The story is told through the eyes of two characters, Phoebe a Titan woman and Joao a privileged Terran who is sent to the Titan planet to improve productivity. As he tries to resolve the problems on the planet he is caught up in conspiracies and plotting but he also finds romance and caring even in the heart of the conflict. Despite this he is at the frontline of the conflict and he may not survive!
This is a really interesting and gripping sci-fi novel which I really enjoyed. I wasn't too keen on the artwork but the story was great and really engaging.
Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
The story is told through the eyes of two characters, Phoebe a Titan woman and Joao a privileged Terran who is sent to the Titan planet to improve productivity. As he tries to resolve the problems on the planet he is caught up in conspiracies and plotting but he also finds romance and caring even in the heart of the conflict. Despite this he is at the frontline of the conflict and he may not survive!
This is a really interesting and gripping sci-fi novel which I really enjoyed. I wasn't too keen on the artwork but the story was great and really engaging.
Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
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December 7, 2020Titan attempts to be subversive, but I'm not entirely certain if it pulls through.
Basically, Titans are bioengineered humans who have basically been forced to work in terrible conditions in space to provide energy for Terrans, what we would call normal humans. The story centers around Terran João da Silva who came to a work area on the moon Titan that's pretty unproductive to try and restimulate it into being profitable. He's introduced to a Titan, Phoebe, who tries to be a liaison between João and Titans, but this is a pretty tenuous position.
The story tries to tease out a class struggle & eventual uprising, but inherently, I feel like the story's centering of João as our focus and semi-narrator, as opposed to Phoebe or another Titan, makes it imbued with the gaze of the managerial Terran class.
I was frustrated with João, but I don't know how other readers reacted to him or how he was intended to be interpreted. I think the way the story is presented makes it easy to be lulled into this idea that he is trying his best and is a victim in the story, because he doesn't have that much power over the higher-ups. But I also think the message of the story should have been that João failed at wielding his managerial power to help the Titans. We're basically stuck reading about this guy who has immense power over the Titans themselves, but only a little with the upper management.
I think I would have appreciated the story more if it wasn't told from his POV, if it was from Phoebe's point-of-view (who is a controversial character herself, because she is in part yearning to be elevated to a better position through her interactions with João.)
I also struggled a lot with how the author portrayed the language of the Titans. They speak in a sort of broken English (a lot of subject-verb disagreements) and like. I guess I didn't feel this was necessary. Or I wish it was used in a more subversive way, instead of the Titans in broken English & the Terrans in "Standard American" English. I think it's absolutely believable enough that they're subjugated just because they're bioengineered and the work they do, and I feel like the use of the "two" Englishes, given how modern readers interface with it, actively detracts from the subversive message Titan attempts to construe.
I see what Titan was trying to do, but I also am just not convinced how successful it was at being subversive. (Also, other spoiler-y storylines were not my favorite. )
Still, the art was weird and funky and great to look at. I liked the fluidity of the Titans' drawings. (Random accessibility note, but a few sections of text are thin white text on pink speech bubbles, and it's difficult to read. Just be ready to squint if your vision isn't the best or if you're in bad lighting.)
Maybe my interpretation of the text isn't what other peoples' were, or how it was intended by Vigneault. I wouldn't necessarily take this review as indicative of what message Titan is trying to portray. It's just how the story sounded to me, and I hope readers who do read Titan walk away with the subversive messages, rather than the managerial-apologetic ones.
Basically, Titans are bioengineered humans who have basically been forced to work in terrible conditions in space to provide energy for Terrans, what we would call normal humans. The story centers around Terran João da Silva who came to a work area on the moon Titan that's pretty unproductive to try and restimulate it into being profitable. He's introduced to a Titan, Phoebe, who tries to be a liaison between João and Titans, but this is a pretty tenuous position.
The story tries to tease out a class struggle & eventual uprising, but inherently, I feel like the story's centering of João as our focus and semi-narrator, as opposed to Phoebe or another Titan, makes it imbued with the gaze of the managerial Terran class.
I was frustrated with João, but I don't know how other readers reacted to him or how he was intended to be interpreted. I think the way the story is presented makes it easy to be lulled into this idea that he is trying his best and is a victim in the story, because he doesn't have that much power over the higher-ups. But I also think the message of the story should have been that João failed at wielding his managerial power to help the Titans. We're basically stuck reading about this guy who has immense power over the Titans themselves, but only a little with the upper management.
I think I would have appreciated the story more if it wasn't told from his POV, if it was from Phoebe's point-of-view (who is a controversial character herself, because she is in part yearning to be elevated to a better position through her interactions with João.)
I also struggled a lot with how the author portrayed the language of the Titans. They speak in a sort of broken English (a lot of subject-verb disagreements) and like. I guess I didn't feel this was necessary. Or I wish it was used in a more subversive way, instead of the Titans in broken English & the Terrans in "Standard American" English. I think it's absolutely believable enough that they're subjugated just because they're bioengineered and the work they do, and I feel like the use of the "two" Englishes, given how modern readers interface with it, actively detracts from the subversive message Titan attempts to construe.
I see what Titan was trying to do, but I also am just not convinced how successful it was at being subversive. (Also, other spoiler-y storylines were not my favorite. )
Still, the art was weird and funky and great to look at. I liked the fluidity of the Titans' drawings. (Random accessibility note, but a few sections of text are thin white text on pink speech bubbles, and it's difficult to read. Just be ready to squint if your vision isn't the best or if you're in bad lighting.)
Maybe my interpretation of the text isn't what other peoples' were, or how it was intended by Vigneault. I wouldn't necessarily take this review as indicative of what message Titan is trying to portray. It's just how the story sounded to me, and I hope readers who do read Titan walk away with the subversive messages, rather than the managerial-apologetic ones.
October 14, 2020
While this was very much a Sci-Fi story, I felt that it also had so many realistic elements to it.
Brief Synopsis:
Da Silva, the main protagonist, is sent on a mission to Homestead Station on Titan, to be able to facilitate a new order. The Titans have not been able to sustain a consistent workflow due to the lack in profits and equipment over the past centuries. Will Da Silva be able to salvage the plant? Or will he completely fail?
Now to my personal thoughts of the story's plot line. If you're a fan of Star Trek, Avatar, technology and the thought of multiple worlds colliding with each other, you'll love this story. I feel that many people will relate as did I, in a way where the world involved was similar to the world we as humans live in today. IE: it's 2020 and we still have so many issues with racism, not being accepting of one another's political agendas. More or so a war of the human race. That's what this story reminded me of in so many ways, hence the reason why I was so gravitated to the plot line all together.
To say the least, this story threw a huge curveball that I didn't see coming. Everything in this story was very well put together, in a way where everything made sense to me. With the exception of one thing, something minor to some but it was such an important piece to me that I wish very much could've had a different turn out. However, I understand completely why it happened the way it did.
All in all, the story was amazing and I can't wait to get my hands on the hardcopy.
I want to thank Margot Wood and Oni Press Publishing for providing the PDF version of this graphic novel to me.
Release date: November 10thFrançois Vigneault
Brief Synopsis:
Da Silva, the main protagonist, is sent on a mission to Homestead Station on Titan, to be able to facilitate a new order. The Titans have not been able to sustain a consistent workflow due to the lack in profits and equipment over the past centuries. Will Da Silva be able to salvage the plant? Or will he completely fail?
Now to my personal thoughts of the story's plot line. If you're a fan of Star Trek, Avatar, technology and the thought of multiple worlds colliding with each other, you'll love this story. I feel that many people will relate as did I, in a way where the world involved was similar to the world we as humans live in today. IE: it's 2020 and we still have so many issues with racism, not being accepting of one another's political agendas. More or so a war of the human race. That's what this story reminded me of in so many ways, hence the reason why I was so gravitated to the plot line all together.
To say the least, this story threw a huge curveball that I didn't see coming. Everything in this story was very well put together, in a way where everything made sense to me. With the exception of one thing, something minor to some but it was such an important piece to me that I wish very much could've had a different turn out. However, I understand completely why it happened the way it did.
All in all, the story was amazing and I can't wait to get my hands on the hardcopy.
I want to thank Margot Wood and Oni Press Publishing for providing the PDF version of this graphic novel to me.
Release date: November 10thFrançois Vigneault
November 3, 2018
Plusieurs internautes semblent avoir détesté le genre prévisible et trop uniforme de cette bande dessinée. Pas moi. Oui, l'intrigue est assez prévisible, les personnages sont plutôt stéréotypés et tout, mais je crois que le tout était voulu. Ce que François Vigneault a réalisé ici, c'est un brillant hommage à la science-fiction traditionnel. Ce livre fait penser à beaucoup de films ou de séries cultes de la SF, et l'effet nostalgie est plutôt bien réussi! L'auteur propose aussi des cadrages très dynamiques très proches du film d'action. C'est plutôt captivant à lire lorsqu'on le voit de ce point de vue là...
November 10, 2020
A story of colonization and rebellion. The artwork feels like a full world with lots of detail. I loved the language of the two separate cultures. This was more like what I was hoping The Expanse would be like. My only complaint is that I want to know more of the story. The “I” was an Interesting sci-fi element. It’s fun to think that two hundred years from now, people could still play records and they may call all the music of today “folk.”
What I learned: This book turned me on to Margo Guryan.
What I learned: This book turned me on to Margo Guryan.
June 1, 2021
Utterly gripping. I felt as if, in the few hours it took to read, I had experienced years!
November 13, 2020
Thanks to Oni Press for an advance copy of this graphic novel, which came out this Tuesday Nov 10, 2020--
François Vigneault's TITAN is a brilliant and timely science fiction political comic about the horrors of colonization, the way management oppresses workers, and the stakes of solidarity in times of strife and political upheaval.
Titan is the name of a moon with a mining colony, but it's also a term referring to the workers who live and labor there. "Titans" are workers genetically-engineered to withstand the gravity of the moon, meaning that they're much taller, bigger, and stronger than other humans, or "Terrans." Of course, this means that Titans can't ever go home--they'd be crushed under their own weight, due to the difference in gravity. While these workers are forever relegated to labor colonies, Terrans constitute the management and are freer to travel where they please.
The book begins with MNGR First Class João da Silva coming to Titan. The previous mining colony manager has fallen ill, so João's there to take over. He arrives in the middle of enormous conflict: huge tensions have developed between the Titan union and the Terran management, and technological innovations mean that the outdated mining apparatus on Titan is now woefully inefficient. João attempts to negotiate with the union in an effort to keep everyone employed, but disagreements continue. In the middle of all this chaos, João develops a relationship with a snarky Titan named Phoebe Mackintosh--a former professional fighting (or "mixing") champion who's not afraid to speak her mind about the oppression of the Titans. As violent clashes escalate, and as corruption emerges in both the union and management, João and Phoebe will have to work together if they ever want peace between the two groups.
While TITAN does depict João as a surprisingly tolerant and understanding manager, author Vigneault also doesn't shy away from showing the enormous costs of the struggle for equality: the conflicts in this book aren't resolved easily, but with violence that escalates into years of war. This sort of honesty about what it looks like to engage in long-term struggle against oppressive forces is essential. By literally drawing the Titan workers as massively larger than their Terran managers, Vigneault visually illustrates the imbalance of power between the 99% and the 1%. Probably my only qualm here is with the theme of corruption in union leadership; not that this doesn't happen in real life, of course, but it's been a disproportionate plot device in a lot of media that I've consumed lately. I'd like to think the message is that labor movements shouldn't rely on exceptional individuals, but instead on the collective will of the people to make change--as opposed to a belief that any prominent progressive is inherently dishonest about their motivations.
Lastly, this book has a great extended sex scene, between a curvy woman and a male POC! And we get to see a penis multiple times! (So, definitely for adults.)
François Vigneault's TITAN is a brilliant and timely science fiction political comic about the horrors of colonization, the way management oppresses workers, and the stakes of solidarity in times of strife and political upheaval.
Titan is the name of a moon with a mining colony, but it's also a term referring to the workers who live and labor there. "Titans" are workers genetically-engineered to withstand the gravity of the moon, meaning that they're much taller, bigger, and stronger than other humans, or "Terrans." Of course, this means that Titans can't ever go home--they'd be crushed under their own weight, due to the difference in gravity. While these workers are forever relegated to labor colonies, Terrans constitute the management and are freer to travel where they please.
The book begins with MNGR First Class João da Silva coming to Titan. The previous mining colony manager has fallen ill, so João's there to take over. He arrives in the middle of enormous conflict: huge tensions have developed between the Titan union and the Terran management, and technological innovations mean that the outdated mining apparatus on Titan is now woefully inefficient. João attempts to negotiate with the union in an effort to keep everyone employed, but disagreements continue. In the middle of all this chaos, João develops a relationship with a snarky Titan named Phoebe Mackintosh--a former professional fighting (or "mixing") champion who's not afraid to speak her mind about the oppression of the Titans. As violent clashes escalate, and as corruption emerges in both the union and management, João and Phoebe will have to work together if they ever want peace between the two groups.
While TITAN does depict João as a surprisingly tolerant and understanding manager, author Vigneault also doesn't shy away from showing the enormous costs of the struggle for equality: the conflicts in this book aren't resolved easily, but with violence that escalates into years of war. This sort of honesty about what it looks like to engage in long-term struggle against oppressive forces is essential. By literally drawing the Titan workers as massively larger than their Terran managers, Vigneault visually illustrates the imbalance of power between the 99% and the 1%. Probably my only qualm here is with the theme of corruption in union leadership; not that this doesn't happen in real life, of course, but it's been a disproportionate plot device in a lot of media that I've consumed lately. I'd like to think the message is that labor movements shouldn't rely on exceptional individuals, but instead on the collective will of the people to make change--as opposed to a belief that any prominent progressive is inherently dishonest about their motivations.
Lastly, this book has a great extended sex scene, between a curvy woman and a male POC! And we get to see a penis multiple times! (So, definitely for adults.)
December 25, 2022
Without question one of the best sci-fi graphs (loosely based on colonialism) about the struggle to survive an interplanetary war and create peace for future generations… no matter the species.
January 27, 2021
In the future, some humans (known as Titans) have been genetically-modified to be giant workers on mining planets, overseen by Terran management.
When MNGR First Class João da Silva is sent to Homestead Station on the moon of Titan to take charge he meets miner Phoebe Mackintosh, a Titan union rep and former mixer (boxer). Tensions are running high on the planet, and it is up to the pair to try to avert a disaster that could result in a galactic civil war.
I really liked how this sci-fi story commented on labour disputes and workers revolts and critiqued capitalism whilst also having a diverse cast of characters, and I thought the rough art-style and limited pink/black-toned colour palette worked well.
When MNGR First Class João da Silva is sent to Homestead Station on the moon of Titan to take charge he meets miner Phoebe Mackintosh, a Titan union rep and former mixer (boxer). Tensions are running high on the planet, and it is up to the pair to try to avert a disaster that could result in a galactic civil war.
I really liked how this sci-fi story commented on labour disputes and workers revolts and critiqued capitalism whilst also having a diverse cast of characters, and I thought the rough art-style and limited pink/black-toned colour palette worked well.
September 6, 2020
A good story well told, highly recommended !!
I would put this into the "adult science fiction, no super-heroes or monsters category" - a favorite genre of mine. The cartooning/story telling is first rate: well drawn, well paced, a good balance of action and dialogue, some wonderful sequences and great use of large panels/splash pages to create a good rhythm to the story.
TITAN has many stories that intertwine throughout the novel. They include economic conflicts, insider/outsider tensions, technological progress and those left behind, the use and abuse of power, and even a love story.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, give it a try !!
I would put this into the "adult science fiction, no super-heroes or monsters category" - a favorite genre of mine. The cartooning/story telling is first rate: well drawn, well paced, a good balance of action and dialogue, some wonderful sequences and great use of large panels/splash pages to create a good rhythm to the story.
TITAN has many stories that intertwine throughout the novel. They include economic conflicts, insider/outsider tensions, technological progress and those left behind, the use and abuse of power, and even a love story.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, give it a try !!
October 8, 2020
I recieved a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Being a fan of scifi, I enjoyed this graphic novel. It reminds me of the conflict between the Belters and the Inners in The Expanse, which of course draws parallels to the real world's present day issues with class structure, racism, and discrimination. A good read.
My only complaint is related to the art. The monochromatic scheme made it difficult to distinguish details in some of the busier panels. However, this style does set it apart from other comics I've read and did not detract from the story.
Being a fan of scifi, I enjoyed this graphic novel. It reminds me of the conflict between the Belters and the Inners in The Expanse, which of course draws parallels to the real world's present day issues with class structure, racism, and discrimination. A good read.
My only complaint is related to the art. The monochromatic scheme made it difficult to distinguish details in some of the busier panels. However, this style does set it apart from other comics I've read and did not detract from the story.
July 1, 2020
Titan was a pretty interesting story but I wish it would have been a little longer. The chapters and plot points felt kinda rushed to me. The characters were all introduced so quickly that even towards the end I still mixed a lot of them up. But other than that I found this story quite interesting and unique. I'll definitely check out more by François Vigneault.
#netgalley
#netgalley
March 13, 2018
C'est vraiment bon, mais je ne suis pas certaine de la traduction d'Alexandre Fontaine-Rousseau. Personnages forts, sur fond de révolution prolétaire et raciale. Références musicales on point.
November 27, 2020
A unique sci-fi graphic novel that uses its fantasy setting to explore real-world issues such as workers' rights and prejudice.
May 2, 2021
Picked this book up on a whim, so glad I did! A fantastic little self contained sci-fi epic that explores the all too familiar themes of exploitation, greed and the haunting effects of the “us vs them” narrative. It grapples with the idea that what makes us human, the good and the bad of it, stays with us and bears on us regardless of where we are or how much we achieve technologically. There’s nothing particularly ground breaking about the book, but within 200 pages it paints some vivid and haunting pictures and grabs you by the neck. Give it a read!
January 27, 2021
Got this via NetGalley!
Hits all the marks if you're looking for a scifi story that critiques capitalism and colonialism, even if it's a bit heavy handed and cliche'd at times. It was fun to read and made me care about the characters and their social circles, but it felt like there was a LOT going on in the short space of pages given. Bonus: The art was so lovely!! Would totally read more graphic novels by this artist again!
Hits all the marks if you're looking for a scifi story that critiques capitalism and colonialism, even if it's a bit heavy handed and cliche'd at times. It was fun to read and made me care about the characters and their social circles, but it felt like there was a LOT going on in the short space of pages given. Bonus: The art was so lovely!! Would totally read more graphic novels by this artist again!
August 1, 2020
In this graphic novel, we are thrust into a futuristic world where humanity has engineered other humanoid-like beings who are much larger and stronger to live on worlds in which their earth derived bodies cannot. These people are put on these planets to work the resources of the land in order to keep the much richer more prosperous worlds running smoothly.
MNGR De Silva is sent to Titan on which the ‘titian’s’ carry out work in factories and mines that are key to producing power for the richer colonies.
De Silva meets Phoebe Mackintosh, a Titan who was born and raised to work in the factories and mines of Titan. De Silva explains to her that he’s here to help increase the productivity of the colony, as its performance is below average. Phoebe explains that the equipment they are working with is old, and the people of the colony are being treated unjustly by the security that guards them, being worked to the bone, facing workplace injury or death, and living in poverty. They are fed up.
De Silva and Phoebe form a bond and soon a romantic relationship- but things won’t stay peaceful for long as the workers soon begin to protest, the security responds violently, and soon all hell breaks loose as the workers try and get suitable workers and Titian rights- they no longer are tolerating the sub-human treatment that has happened for generations.
The themes in this story draw striking parallels to how Black people have been treated for generations. We see this with the way humans have created a genetically modified population of people to carry out work for them (although the Titans weren’t ripped from their families, and they live relatively well compared to slavery that happened in the US), the Titian’s have obvious tensions with the police/security force believing them to be lazy and undeserving- many clashes have taken place in the past where a security/police member killed a Titian.
The story is wonderfully told and illustrated, the romance between De Silva and Phoebe is very passionate. We have a lot of action towards the middle and end of the book when Titian’s fight back and De Silva has to fight for his life, and soon a war ensues across all the colonies where Titian’s work and reside.
The ending closes out with De Silva and Phoebe encountering each out after years of war and recounting everything that has happened since their last meeting.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and the illustration style.
I loved Phoebe's character, it was great to see her go on to become a badass war hero and fight for the rights of Titians!
4 stars, would recommend.
** ARC provided by Oni Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
MNGR De Silva is sent to Titan on which the ‘titian’s’ carry out work in factories and mines that are key to producing power for the richer colonies.
De Silva meets Phoebe Mackintosh, a Titan who was born and raised to work in the factories and mines of Titan. De Silva explains to her that he’s here to help increase the productivity of the colony, as its performance is below average. Phoebe explains that the equipment they are working with is old, and the people of the colony are being treated unjustly by the security that guards them, being worked to the bone, facing workplace injury or death, and living in poverty. They are fed up.
De Silva and Phoebe form a bond and soon a romantic relationship- but things won’t stay peaceful for long as the workers soon begin to protest, the security responds violently, and soon all hell breaks loose as the workers try and get suitable workers and Titian rights- they no longer are tolerating the sub-human treatment that has happened for generations.
The themes in this story draw striking parallels to how Black people have been treated for generations. We see this with the way humans have created a genetically modified population of people to carry out work for them (although the Titans weren’t ripped from their families, and they live relatively well compared to slavery that happened in the US), the Titian’s have obvious tensions with the police/security force believing them to be lazy and undeserving- many clashes have taken place in the past where a security/police member killed a Titian.
The story is wonderfully told and illustrated, the romance between De Silva and Phoebe is very passionate. We have a lot of action towards the middle and end of the book when Titian’s fight back and De Silva has to fight for his life, and soon a war ensues across all the colonies where Titian’s work and reside.
The ending closes out with De Silva and Phoebe encountering each out after years of war and recounting everything that has happened since their last meeting.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and the illustration style.
I loved Phoebe's character, it was great to see her go on to become a badass war hero and fight for the rights of Titians!
4 stars, would recommend.
** ARC provided by Oni Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2020
TW: violence, nudity, sex, & suicide
My first thoughts of this graphic novel were that I really liked the cover art and was intrigued by the plot since I've been reading some YA Sci-Fi recently (and loving it). I was a tad bit concerned because the Goodreads review seemed generally positive but not raving, and I noticed immediate TWs for the book, which after completing I agree are necessary. I also thought it was cool that the original version is in French, which is cool.
The story's conflict is set very early on. You can tell from the beginning that there is serious tension between the Terrans (humans from Earth) and the Titans (genetically modified humans that are bigger and stronger, who cannot survive on Earth due to their weight) and each group is prejudice toward the other. I though that the conflict build was natural and well paced.
The art work is BEAUTIFUL. Each panel is well done and there is a surprising amount of detail in each scene that adds to the story and really helps you feel like you're on Titan. I was always captivated by the art and the color pallet was stunning as well.
Also, there were some twists (especially towards the end) that I did not expect, which was refreshing since I was worried that I was able to predict the climax and conflict resolution, but there were definitely things I had not guessed or thought about.
PLUS, there was representation of diverse sexualities, with a character having depicted relations with both men and women, which was nice. Yay for LGBTQ+ rep!
Even though I liked this graphic novel over all, I definitely did have some issues with it. I was surprised when the romantic relationship between Pheobe and João was revealed because I personally felt that the two had no chemistry, so to me the relationship felt forced and weird. Also, was not expecting such detailed sex scene going in, so that was definitely a surprise. Left nothing to the imagination.
In addition, I felt that there were some cliches used for the conflict resolution toward the end, and the ending war felt rushed and forced with a sudden 7 year time jump and summary. The ending felt way too short compared to the build up.
I would recommend checking this graphic novel out if it sounds interesting to you (and keeping in mind the TWs). It was a fairly quick read but didn't feel too short.
Rating: 4 stars
*I received a free e-arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
My first thoughts of this graphic novel were that I really liked the cover art and was intrigued by the plot since I've been reading some YA Sci-Fi recently (and loving it). I was a tad bit concerned because the Goodreads review seemed generally positive but not raving, and I noticed immediate TWs for the book, which after completing I agree are necessary. I also thought it was cool that the original version is in French, which is cool.
The story's conflict is set very early on. You can tell from the beginning that there is serious tension between the Terrans (humans from Earth) and the Titans (genetically modified humans that are bigger and stronger, who cannot survive on Earth due to their weight) and each group is prejudice toward the other. I though that the conflict build was natural and well paced.
The art work is BEAUTIFUL. Each panel is well done and there is a surprising amount of detail in each scene that adds to the story and really helps you feel like you're on Titan. I was always captivated by the art and the color pallet was stunning as well.
Also, there were some twists (especially towards the end) that I did not expect, which was refreshing since I was worried that I was able to predict the climax and conflict resolution, but there were definitely things I had not guessed or thought about.
PLUS, there was representation of diverse sexualities, with a character having depicted relations with both men and women, which was nice. Yay for LGBTQ+ rep!
Even though I liked this graphic novel over all, I definitely did have some issues with it. I was surprised when the romantic relationship between Pheobe and João was revealed because I personally felt that the two had no chemistry, so to me the relationship felt forced and weird. Also, was not expecting such detailed sex scene going in, so that was definitely a surprise. Left nothing to the imagination.
In addition, I felt that there were some cliches used for the conflict resolution toward the end, and the ending war felt rushed and forced with a sudden 7 year time jump and summary. The ending felt way too short compared to the build up.
I would recommend checking this graphic novel out if it sounds interesting to you (and keeping in mind the TWs). It was a fairly quick read but didn't feel too short.
Rating: 4 stars
*I received a free e-arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
July 19, 2020
3.5 Stars
CW: nudity; violence (war, massacre); infidelity (subtle, but part of the plot)
Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for letting me read an early copy of the translated edition! The English translation will release on Sept. 15 this year!
The year is 2192, and Manager (MNGR) João da Silva has been assigned to Homestead Station on Saturn's moon, Titan. Homestead is a colony where genetically-engineered workers, Titans, mine for the Terran (Earth) empire. Upon arrival, João quickly notices the rising tensions between Titans and the Terran military occupying the colony. João aims to improve relations between workers and the military, but the Union Liaison assigned to escort him, Phoebe Macintosh, asserts that his savior complex will not fix anything. Phoebe, a retired 'mixer' (fighter), knows that Titans can defend themselves, but she ultimately partners with João to help her people and, hopefully, to prevent an all-out war.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! This is a critique of colonialism and an exploration of revolution. I loved our two main characters and the musical themes prevalent throughout this story. Both MCs love vinyl and listen to vintage 'Terran' music like Wilco and Margo Guryan. The heavy themes in this story are paired with a dreamy, melancholy soundtrack (there's a playlist at the end of the book), and everything is portrayed within a pink, white, and black color palette. Note:It looks like the original publication written in French is purple, white, and black, but in the eARC for the English translation, purple is replaced with pink. Lastly, I really loved Phoebe: she's plus-size and bisexual, which I love seeing in literature.
The ending had several resolutions that were underdeveloped so they seemed convenient and rushed. Also, João is actually married, so, though his spouse only appears briefly (one time), there is cheating in the story which for me personally dulled the romance.
Overall, I recommend this story. It's sensual and visually stunning. I'd like to get myself a copy when it releases in September.
CW: nudity; violence (war, massacre); infidelity (subtle, but part of the plot)
Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for letting me read an early copy of the translated edition! The English translation will release on Sept. 15 this year!
The year is 2192, and Manager (MNGR) João da Silva has been assigned to Homestead Station on Saturn's moon, Titan. Homestead is a colony where genetically-engineered workers, Titans, mine for the Terran (Earth) empire. Upon arrival, João quickly notices the rising tensions between Titans and the Terran military occupying the colony. João aims to improve relations between workers and the military, but the Union Liaison assigned to escort him, Phoebe Macintosh, asserts that his savior complex will not fix anything. Phoebe, a retired 'mixer' (fighter), knows that Titans can defend themselves, but she ultimately partners with João to help her people and, hopefully, to prevent an all-out war.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! This is a critique of colonialism and an exploration of revolution. I loved our two main characters and the musical themes prevalent throughout this story. Both MCs love vinyl and listen to vintage 'Terran' music like Wilco and Margo Guryan. The heavy themes in this story are paired with a dreamy, melancholy soundtrack (there's a playlist at the end of the book), and everything is portrayed within a pink, white, and black color palette. Note:It looks like the original publication written in French is purple, white, and black, but in the eARC for the English translation, purple is replaced with pink. Lastly, I really loved Phoebe: she's plus-size and bisexual, which I love seeing in literature.
The ending had several resolutions that were underdeveloped so they seemed convenient and rushed. Also, João is actually married, so, though his spouse only appears briefly (one time), there is cheating in the story which for me personally dulled the romance.
Overall, I recommend this story. It's sensual and visually stunning. I'd like to get myself a copy when it releases in September.
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