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Codex Black #1
A Fire Among Clouds
Navigate through monsters, mysteries, and the will of the gods with two young extraordinary adventurers in fifteenth-century Mesoamerica as they search for a missing father.
Donají is a fearless Zapotec girl who, even though she's only fifteen, is heralded as a hero by her village. In Codex Black, Donají sets out on an adventure--accompanied by the god that lives inside of her poncho--to find her missing father. Along the way, she meets an 18-year-old winged Mexica warrior named Itzcacalotl, and over time their temporary partnership blooms into an incredible friendship.
The search brings the young pair closer to danger and deeper into mystery than either could have predicted. What exactly was Donají's father involved with? And how did a simple search for a missing relative lead Donají and Itzcacalotl into a fight with a terrifying bat monster to defend an entire village?!
Donají is a fearless Zapotec girl who, even though she's only fifteen, is heralded as a hero by her village. In Codex Black, Donají sets out on an adventure--accompanied by the god that lives inside of her poncho--to find her missing father. Along the way, she meets an 18-year-old winged Mexica warrior named Itzcacalotl, and over time their temporary partnership blooms into an incredible friendship.
The search brings the young pair closer to danger and deeper into mystery than either could have predicted. What exactly was Donají's father involved with? And how did a simple search for a missing relative lead Donají and Itzcacalotl into a fight with a terrifying bat monster to defend an entire village?!
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2023
11 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
April 4, 2023
I love everything about this story, and I also love the way it was put together. To start off, the author is Mexican and writing about our history (in a fictionalized way), which I love, but alsoooo IDW reached out to me to review this and I can’t express enough how grateful I am when publishing houses send books that actually reflect the reader’s interests!
In this adorable (and shocking gruesome) graphic novel, we follow Donají and Itzcacalotl as they find each other and embark on a journey to track down Donají’s missing father.
There were so many moments that had me laughing, and equal tender moments between the two MCs but also the communities they meet along the way. This book has historical context, rich cultural representation, and holds some beautiful and important lessons.
The characters, art, and plot won my heart over and I can’t wait to read the next volume!
In this adorable (and shocking gruesome) graphic novel, we follow Donají and Itzcacalotl as they find each other and embark on a journey to track down Donají’s missing father.
There were so many moments that had me laughing, and equal tender moments between the two MCs but also the communities they meet along the way. This book has historical context, rich cultural representation, and holds some beautiful and important lessons.
The characters, art, and plot won my heart over and I can’t wait to read the next volume!
September 20, 2023
An interesting story of 2 pre-Aztec children, one looking for her missing father and the other on a search to find his place in the world.
The characters backgrounds are interesting and their journey (through this book 1) is engaging. Interesting as well are the tidbits scattered throughout the book of facts relating to the culture and side characters.
The artwork is great and adds greatly to the overall appeal of the book. For a YA graphic novel this hits all the points and is a great way to interest readers on the upcoming sequel.
The characters backgrounds are interesting and their journey (through this book 1) is engaging. Interesting as well are the tidbits scattered throughout the book of facts relating to the culture and side characters.
The artwork is great and adds greatly to the overall appeal of the book. For a YA graphic novel this hits all the points and is a great way to interest readers on the upcoming sequel.
March 19, 2023
“Surround yourself with friends, but beware the imposters.”
I'd like to thank IDW Publishing for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Instagram Post
Blog Post
Content Warnings: violence
This series was originally a webcomic, which I thought was a lot of fun! I had also never read a book set in this time period before which intrigued me. I'm a big fan of mythology in general so I love learning more about different gods, goddesses, and myths. I enjoyed those aspects in A Fire Among Clouds and thought that the poncho god was an informative but funny character. I wish we could have seen a bit more development in terms of Donají and Itzcacalotl's characters but I think we'll see more of that in the coming sequels. The art style was really cute and kept me engaged with the story. The overall concept of the book was interesting and I especially liked seeing Donají go on a quest to search for her missing father. It added an additional mystery element to the plot.
Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds is a fun graphic novel with an intriguing mythology twist.
I'd like to thank IDW Publishing for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Instagram Post
Blog Post
Content Warnings: violence
This series was originally a webcomic, which I thought was a lot of fun! I had also never read a book set in this time period before which intrigued me. I'm a big fan of mythology in general so I love learning more about different gods, goddesses, and myths. I enjoyed those aspects in A Fire Among Clouds and thought that the poncho god was an informative but funny character. I wish we could have seen a bit more development in terms of Donají and Itzcacalotl's characters but I think we'll see more of that in the coming sequels. The art style was really cute and kept me engaged with the story. The overall concept of the book was interesting and I especially liked seeing Donají go on a quest to search for her missing father. It added an additional mystery element to the plot.
Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds is a fun graphic novel with an intriguing mythology twist.
March 16, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a lovely adventure it was. "A Fire Among Clouds" is a story heavily inspired by Aztec culture which I absolutely adored. We follow an adventure of two characters: Donaji who is a brave girl trying to find her missing father and Itzcacalotl who is much more mysterious character and his life changed the moment he got wings and met Donaji. Our heroes are travelling together, fighting monsters or just trying to survive. I loved illustrations here. They are vivid and beautiful, making very delicious feast for your eyes. I didn't get bored while reading although the beginning is quite messy and I had a problem catching up what is happening. Anyway reading this comic book was so much fun and I honestly cannot wait for the second part because damn that ending made me wanting more.
What a lovely adventure it was. "A Fire Among Clouds" is a story heavily inspired by Aztec culture which I absolutely adored. We follow an adventure of two characters: Donaji who is a brave girl trying to find her missing father and Itzcacalotl who is much more mysterious character and his life changed the moment he got wings and met Donaji. Our heroes are travelling together, fighting monsters or just trying to survive. I loved illustrations here. They are vivid and beautiful, making very delicious feast for your eyes. I didn't get bored while reading although the beginning is quite messy and I had a problem catching up what is happening. Anyway reading this comic book was so much fun and I honestly cannot wait for the second part because damn that ending made me wanting more.
January 25, 2023
This is a fantasy graphic novel set in 15th century mesoamerica. And while I don’t feel in a position to comment on how accurate the rep was, I did enjoy reading about a different culture & side of history to what’s most common in literature. I also really appreciated all the info included at the end as I learnt quite a few new facts!
The story: 2 teens find themselves lost in a jungle so decide to work together. But they soon find that even with the protection of the gods, things still have a habit of going wrong. Can they rise to the challenge & be the saviour for their whole town? I really enjoyed this & thought it managed to be both unique while still having all the fundamental aspects/tropes of popular fantasy books.
The art: I rlly loved the art style in this. I don’t know what it was particularly about it. I think it just really fit the overall vibe of the book & story.
Anyway, I recommend this if you’re looking for your next graphic novel to read, but especially if you like history and/or Aztec mythology!!
Thank you to both netgalley & the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The story: 2 teens find themselves lost in a jungle so decide to work together. But they soon find that even with the protection of the gods, things still have a habit of going wrong. Can they rise to the challenge & be the saviour for their whole town? I really enjoyed this & thought it managed to be both unique while still having all the fundamental aspects/tropes of popular fantasy books.
The art: I rlly loved the art style in this. I don’t know what it was particularly about it. I think it just really fit the overall vibe of the book & story.
Anyway, I recommend this if you’re looking for your next graphic novel to read, but especially if you like history and/or Aztec mythology!!
Thank you to both netgalley & the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 11, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for this EARC!
Codex Black is a Graphic Novel about the young Donaji. After her dad disapeared severel years ago, she decided to go on an adaventure and trys to find him. On her way she meets Itzcacalotl.
I asked for the book because the description really appealed to me. Fantasy isn't usually my genre, but being a graphic novel I thought I should give it a shot.
Unfortunately, it took me several attempts to get into the story. However, once I got into the story, it was a fairly quick read.
I found it very good that there were asterisks directly on the pages that explained individual terms. Sometimes, however, it got me a little out of the reading flow when I couldn't find the annotation directly.
The drawing style and the selected colors fitted very well with the story and the culture represented.
In the end, however, I didn't like the book as much as I thought it would. The story dragged on at times and I wondered when something would happen again. In the next moment everything felt like it happened at once and I was taken by surprise. At some points I found Donaji a bit exhausting.
Overall, Codex Black was an interesting story and I'm excited to see what happens next.
Codex Black is a Graphic Novel about the young Donaji. After her dad disapeared severel years ago, she decided to go on an adaventure and trys to find him. On her way she meets Itzcacalotl.
I asked for the book because the description really appealed to me. Fantasy isn't usually my genre, but being a graphic novel I thought I should give it a shot.
Unfortunately, it took me several attempts to get into the story. However, once I got into the story, it was a fairly quick read.
I found it very good that there were asterisks directly on the pages that explained individual terms. Sometimes, however, it got me a little out of the reading flow when I couldn't find the annotation directly.
The drawing style and the selected colors fitted very well with the story and the culture represented.
In the end, however, I didn't like the book as much as I thought it would. The story dragged on at times and I wondered when something would happen again. In the next moment everything felt like it happened at once and I was taken by surprise. At some points I found Donaji a bit exhausting.
Overall, Codex Black was an interesting story and I'm excited to see what happens next.
March 15, 2023
Hey! I actually won a Goodreads giveaway!
I really love that this series is set in a culture that doesn't get too much attention. It made the whole story feel more interesting to me. The artwork was beautifully done. I loved the color choices, and the accent colors for the black & white panels were well chosen.
The story definitely starts on a dark note, and there is some fairly graphic violence, but I don't feel that it was over the top in any way. The only complaint I have is that the story seemed to end rather abruptly. I get that it is the beginning of a series, but the end felt like something was missing.
Speaking of missing, since I received an ARC, the back material hasn't been put in yet. Not at all a complaint, but I would like to see it. The series felt well researched, and footnotes throughout did help with some unfamiliar concepts, but I am curious as to what else I may have missed.
I really love that this series is set in a culture that doesn't get too much attention. It made the whole story feel more interesting to me. The artwork was beautifully done. I loved the color choices, and the accent colors for the black & white panels were well chosen.
The story definitely starts on a dark note, and there is some fairly graphic violence, but I don't feel that it was over the top in any way. The only complaint I have is that the story seemed to end rather abruptly. I get that it is the beginning of a series, but the end felt like something was missing.
Speaking of missing, since I received an ARC, the back material hasn't been put in yet. Not at all a complaint, but I would like to see it. The series felt well researched, and footnotes throughout did help with some unfamiliar concepts, but I am curious as to what else I may have missed.
November 13, 2024
(DNF - pg 94)
October 2, 2023
Pretty interesting. I got quite lost a few times with where the story was supposed to be going, but it worked out pretty quickly. Not sure I'll continue the series though; story was fine just not my thing.
Read
April 11, 2023A Fire Among Clouds, the first in the Codex Black series, is a fascinating tale of two young individuals that both embark on a journey and are forced to come to terms with who they are. The graphic novel, which hails from Camilo Moncada Lozano and colorist Michi Desantiago, is a story that takes place in fifteenth-century Mesoamerica. It tells the story of 15-year-old Donaji, and 17-year-old Itzcacalotl. Donaji is on a mission to search for her father who left eleven years ago. She knows next to nothing as to where he went or why he left, but she's determined to find him. Along the way, she runs into the eccentric Itzcacalotl. The two teens couldn't be more different from one another, but together, they make a dynamite team.
The artwork in A Fire Among Clouds is absolutely stunning. The expressions, the designs and the details are captivating, and they're made all the better by Desantiago's excellent colorwork. There are moments where the text can be frustrating, with a few "info-dump" moments sprinkled throughout, but the artwork helps to keep readers enticed. While it isn't perfect, and there are some panels that feel like there's just *too much* going on, the overall artwork does a phenomenal job at helping to elevate the story.
As for the story itself, while interesting and unique, the story itself does have some issues. The biggest issue is that the story itself doesn't really have a satisfying conclusion. Somehow, the adventure the main characters are on at the very beginning does not an actual conclusion. It feels like nothing really happens. There is a ton of great character development, but in the end, our characters are seemingly back where they started. We get no real answers to our questions and it is pretty frustrating. Thankfully, the story itself is intriguing enough to want to push through.
A Fire Among the Clouds is the perfect graphic novel for teenagers. It's a story about self-growth, acceptance, and family that is worthy of a read.
Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to receive a physical ARC from IDW Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
The artwork in A Fire Among Clouds is absolutely stunning. The expressions, the designs and the details are captivating, and they're made all the better by Desantiago's excellent colorwork. There are moments where the text can be frustrating, with a few "info-dump" moments sprinkled throughout, but the artwork helps to keep readers enticed. While it isn't perfect, and there are some panels that feel like there's just *too much* going on, the overall artwork does a phenomenal job at helping to elevate the story.
As for the story itself, while interesting and unique, the story itself does have some issues. The biggest issue is that the story itself doesn't really have a satisfying conclusion. Somehow, the adventure the main characters are on at the very beginning does not an actual conclusion. It feels like nothing really happens. There is a ton of great character development, but in the end, our characters are seemingly back where they started. We get no real answers to our questions and it is pretty frustrating. Thankfully, the story itself is intriguing enough to want to push through.
A Fire Among the Clouds is the perfect graphic novel for teenagers. It's a story about self-growth, acceptance, and family that is worthy of a read.
Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to receive a physical ARC from IDW Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2022
In this story, a Zapotec village girl, Donají, is on a search for her long-lost father, with her trusty god-protector (in the vessel of her father's poncho), when she meets Itzcacolotl, a young Mexica boy from Tenochtitlan who is searching for adventures and just so happens to have recently been blessed by a crow god and given wings. These two teens team up and set out in search of Donají's dad.
No you don't understand, I'm OBSESSED!!! I am inspired! I am in love! This beautiful comic has more pre-colonial, indigenous Mexico historical and cultural touch points than any piece of media I have consumed in 30 years of life. I really, really loved the setting and it would be a 5 for that alone but this comic has so much more to offer. First of all, the art! The colors are stunning, really make the images pop, and the illustrations bring the story to life and make the characters jump off the page (especially the character introduction pages stylized like playing cards I LOVE!!). Which brings me to the second point- the characters! I love these two main characters and their budding relationship - it's sooooo cuuuute!!! I'm also eager to see where the story with the thief goes and whether they actually do form a friendship altogether.
The story is okay so far - it varies from great to just ok - to be honest, there seems to be more going on than the story can sustain this early on. There is the mysterious but adventurous search for the dad, the war between the Mexica conquerors and the southerners, there is an evil force summoned by an apparently third (sixth?) party, and then there also seems to be some sort of godlike entity encouraging Donají to rise to the challenge... Plus a thief friend and a lot of other loose threads. I'm very eager to see where it will all lead but I was a bit overwhelmed.
Definitely a must buy!!
No you don't understand, I'm OBSESSED!!! I am inspired! I am in love! This beautiful comic has more pre-colonial, indigenous Mexico historical and cultural touch points than any piece of media I have consumed in 30 years of life. I really, really loved the setting and it would be a 5 for that alone but this comic has so much more to offer. First of all, the art! The colors are stunning, really make the images pop, and the illustrations bring the story to life and make the characters jump off the page (especially the character introduction pages stylized like playing cards I LOVE!!). Which brings me to the second point- the characters! I love these two main characters and their budding relationship - it's sooooo cuuuute!!! I'm also eager to see where the story with the thief goes and whether they actually do form a friendship altogether.
The story is okay so far - it varies from great to just ok - to be honest, there seems to be more going on than the story can sustain this early on. There is the mysterious but adventurous search for the dad, the war between the Mexica conquerors and the southerners, there is an evil force summoned by an apparently third (sixth?) party, and then there also seems to be some sort of godlike entity encouraging Donají to rise to the challenge... Plus a thief friend and a lot of other loose threads. I'm very eager to see where it will all lead but I was a bit overwhelmed.
Definitely a must buy!!
February 2, 2023
*review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for honest review*
3.5* I enjoyed the art and characters in this book. It was a fun and colorful introduction to South and Central American cultural history. The fantasy setting felt original and well crafted with love and attention to detail.
The characters of Donaji and Itzcacalotl feel unique. I enjoyed Donaji's strong-willed personality, and her brute strength. It was wonderfully complemented by Itzcacalotl's softness and swiftness. They are wonderful subversions of how I grew up viewing male and female characters roles in media. These subversions also are not called out as strange by other characters, but are celebrated by all around them. By the end this became a great start to what I think will be a fun and emotional series.
However, the beginning was quite sparse and slow. It felt like there were pages missing, and like there were too many time skips when I wish we could have seen some character downtime. One specific instance is when Itzcacalotl and Donaji are training to improve her combat skills. I would have loved to see them get to know each other better while training, but we see the conversation where they start, and then skip to a few days later when another character shows up. I think more down time like we got towards the end of the book to explore their relationship with each other would have been more appreciated, especially earlier on when the reader wants to get to know the characters and the characters need to get to know each other.
3.5* I enjoyed the art and characters in this book. It was a fun and colorful introduction to South and Central American cultural history. The fantasy setting felt original and well crafted with love and attention to detail.
The characters of Donaji and Itzcacalotl feel unique. I enjoyed Donaji's strong-willed personality, and her brute strength. It was wonderfully complemented by Itzcacalotl's softness and swiftness. They are wonderful subversions of how I grew up viewing male and female characters roles in media. These subversions also are not called out as strange by other characters, but are celebrated by all around them. By the end this became a great start to what I think will be a fun and emotional series.
However, the beginning was quite sparse and slow. It felt like there were pages missing, and like there were too many time skips when I wish we could have seen some character downtime. One specific instance is when Itzcacalotl and Donaji are training to improve her combat skills. I would have loved to see them get to know each other better while training, but we see the conversation where they start, and then skip to a few days later when another character shows up. I think more down time like we got towards the end of the book to explore their relationship with each other would have been more appreciated, especially earlier on when the reader wants to get to know the characters and the characters need to get to know each other.
October 30, 2023
A strong manga vibe -- with each scene enhanced by vivid colorization, as well as an immersion in ancient Mexican culture.
It has problems with readability; I found it continually difficult to know what panel to read next. And some of the big plot elements (like the male protagonist sprouting wings) are basically ignored by the characters, when they should be big friggin' deals. I assume some of that is culturally specific, like when you watch a kung fu movie for the first time and it seems weird that people can easily jump up to a rooftop.
But despite these little foibles, the story is fun and engaging (especially if you like all the manga-style expressions) throughout, and I'd recommend it.
MPA ratings: PG-13 for violence
It has problems with readability; I found it continually difficult to know what panel to read next. And some of the big plot elements (like the male protagonist sprouting wings) are basically ignored by the characters, when they should be big friggin' deals. I assume some of that is culturally specific, like when you watch a kung fu movie for the first time and it seems weird that people can easily jump up to a rooftop.
But despite these little foibles, the story is fun and engaging (especially if you like all the manga-style expressions) throughout, and I'd recommend it.
MPA ratings: PG-13 for violence
January 24, 2023
“Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds” was a fun and adventurous graphic novel set in Meso-America for young adult readers. I enjoyed experiencing a mythology and ancient history I wasn’t as familiar with and following the story of our magical heroes. Young Donají is a girl with a poncho of godly strength and Itzcacalotl is young warrior with the wings of a crow, together they are on a quest to find Donají’s missing father and fight a few village terrorizing monsters along the way. Teens who enjoy the “Percy Jackson” series or other mythology based stories will enjoy this graphic novel. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series when they are released.
December 3, 2022
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book is about Donaji and Itzcacolotl searching for Donaji's father. The story takes place in mid-1400 Central America. There are references to historical moments, with added information at the end. There are also references to various gods and traditions. These are also explained more at the end. The story and mythology were very good.
This is a good read for anyone who is interested in Central American myth and fantasy.
This book is about Donaji and Itzcacolotl searching for Donaji's father. The story takes place in mid-1400 Central America. There are references to historical moments, with added information at the end. There are also references to various gods and traditions. These are also explained more at the end. The story and mythology were very good.
This is a good read for anyone who is interested in Central American myth and fantasy.
August 27, 2023
The mythology was muddy, but the adventures were cute.
September 28, 2023
(originally reviewed at
thelibraryladies.com
)
Thank you to IDW Comics for sending me an eARC of this graphic novel!
I told myself that I was going to try and do more graphic novels this year, as I felt like 2022 was a bit more sparse than it should have been. And with that goal I’ve found some pretty fun reads, some of which have been suggested to me or offered up, and were therein probably not been on my radar without the outside help. And that’s really worked out in my favor! The most recent of these is “Codex Black (Book 1): A Fire Among Clouds”, a young adult fantasy graphic novel that takes place in a pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and involves two teenagers who have found themselves with magical abilities and powers. The premise alone sounded awesome, and when I saw the artwork I was even more eager to dive in!
“Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds” is a really enjoyable first volume in the series. It has a lot it has to do in terms of setting up time and place, as well as a cast of characters, AS WELL as building a fantasy world within a historical context. We meet our two protagonists and see where they fit into the story, and Lozano does a great job of not only introducing them and making them connect, we also get a great sense for who they are. The first is Donají, a Zapotec teenage girl from a mountain village, is determined to find her father, a man who left their village and never returned, but did leave behind a poncho that houses the God Chicahualizteotl, who is there to assist her on her journey. The second is Itzcacalotl, a teenage Mexica boy who, while on a caravan with warriors, falls into a cavern and is gifted with crow wings. These two teens eventually come together and begin a journey of fantastical proportions, as Donají looks for her missing father and Itzcacalotl comes along for the ride and stumble upon thieves, monsters, and historical figures. I really loved both Donají and Itzcacalotl and their characterizations, and how Lozano slowly peels back and explores their personalities, strengths, and flaws. Dojaní is feisty and strong willed, while Itzcacalotl is a bit more reserved but also very determined to prove himself, and together they make an endearing team. I loved seeing them start to realize the powers that they both are wielding, be it the protectiveness of Donají’s poncho or Itzcacalotl’s wings, and how they interacted with friends, foes, historical figures (like Cosijoeza, one of the last coquitaos of the Zapotec people), and monsters from Mesoamerican lore and myth.
But what stood out to me most in this graphic novel was the VERY well presented historical context and information that was provided at the back of the book. As a woman who went to an American high school at the turn of the 21st century, I have VERY little working knowledge about Mesoamerican/Pre-Columbian civilizations and cultures (outside of a grade school unit on the Mayans). I’ve learned bits here and there through other books I’ve read, but it’s not extensive. So I LOVE that Lozano has such a great, accessible, and thorough historical notes section at the end of the book. It talks about the various myths of these different groups of people, and also gives historical notes and context to the events that were going on in Mexico during the time of this book before European imperialism started to take over. Given that I had been opening multiple tabs on my browser to look up some of this context, finding a good deal of it at the end of the PDF was really refreshing.
And finally, the artwork. I like Lozano’s style, with clear influence by manga and anime, with all the intricate details that harken to the cultures and styles of the people that the story is about. It’s varied and unique and I really liked it.
I will definitely be going forward in the “Codex Black” series. It’s so unique and filled with so much heart, I really can’t wait to see where it goes next.
Thank you to IDW Comics for sending me an eARC of this graphic novel!
I told myself that I was going to try and do more graphic novels this year, as I felt like 2022 was a bit more sparse than it should have been. And with that goal I’ve found some pretty fun reads, some of which have been suggested to me or offered up, and were therein probably not been on my radar without the outside help. And that’s really worked out in my favor! The most recent of these is “Codex Black (Book 1): A Fire Among Clouds”, a young adult fantasy graphic novel that takes place in a pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and involves two teenagers who have found themselves with magical abilities and powers. The premise alone sounded awesome, and when I saw the artwork I was even more eager to dive in!
“Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds” is a really enjoyable first volume in the series. It has a lot it has to do in terms of setting up time and place, as well as a cast of characters, AS WELL as building a fantasy world within a historical context. We meet our two protagonists and see where they fit into the story, and Lozano does a great job of not only introducing them and making them connect, we also get a great sense for who they are. The first is Donají, a Zapotec teenage girl from a mountain village, is determined to find her father, a man who left their village and never returned, but did leave behind a poncho that houses the God Chicahualizteotl, who is there to assist her on her journey. The second is Itzcacalotl, a teenage Mexica boy who, while on a caravan with warriors, falls into a cavern and is gifted with crow wings. These two teens eventually come together and begin a journey of fantastical proportions, as Donají looks for her missing father and Itzcacalotl comes along for the ride and stumble upon thieves, monsters, and historical figures. I really loved both Donají and Itzcacalotl and their characterizations, and how Lozano slowly peels back and explores their personalities, strengths, and flaws. Dojaní is feisty and strong willed, while Itzcacalotl is a bit more reserved but also very determined to prove himself, and together they make an endearing team. I loved seeing them start to realize the powers that they both are wielding, be it the protectiveness of Donají’s poncho or Itzcacalotl’s wings, and how they interacted with friends, foes, historical figures (like Cosijoeza, one of the last coquitaos of the Zapotec people), and monsters from Mesoamerican lore and myth.
But what stood out to me most in this graphic novel was the VERY well presented historical context and information that was provided at the back of the book. As a woman who went to an American high school at the turn of the 21st century, I have VERY little working knowledge about Mesoamerican/Pre-Columbian civilizations and cultures (outside of a grade school unit on the Mayans). I’ve learned bits here and there through other books I’ve read, but it’s not extensive. So I LOVE that Lozano has such a great, accessible, and thorough historical notes section at the end of the book. It talks about the various myths of these different groups of people, and also gives historical notes and context to the events that were going on in Mexico during the time of this book before European imperialism started to take over. Given that I had been opening multiple tabs on my browser to look up some of this context, finding a good deal of it at the end of the PDF was really refreshing.
And finally, the artwork. I like Lozano’s style, with clear influence by manga and anime, with all the intricate details that harken to the cultures and styles of the people that the story is about. It’s varied and unique and I really liked it.
I will definitely be going forward in the “Codex Black” series. It’s so unique and filled with so much heart, I really can’t wait to see where it goes next.
April 6, 2023
with colors by Angel/Michi DeSantiago.
This is a really fun graphic novel that I almost bounced off of in the first few pages because it's so darn dark. And I don't mean in mood: I mean that it's so visually murky that my brain was refusing to engage with the images on the page. I'd had that problem before when my husband gave me a physical copy of Kill Six Billion Demons for Christmas: it looked way better on my PC than on the page. So I went to check out Codex Black's origins on Tapas and was pretty surprised by the choice to drag down the beautiful clean lines and graphic pops of color of the original webcomic with the saturated blacks of the physical book's first few pages.
Fortunately, the book soon switches back to the webcomic's aesthetics, tho I have to concede that the digital art actually does look much more impressive via digital medium. But I, of all, people, cannot complain: physical comics are way easier for me to read in general. It's just easy to tell when something was originally created for a different platform, as it doesn't have quite the same flow as a story written for print.
But enough of my quibbling! You should read this book because it's a really fun story that showcases an under-explored genre in English-speaking literature. In Codex Black, two unlikely young heroes with supernatural powers get together to unravel a personal mystery that promises to have consequences for the entirety of 15th century Mesoamerica.
Donaji is a headstrong fifteen year-old who is determined to leave her mountain home in order to track down her missing father. In this she's aided by Chicahualizteotl, the God of Fortitude and Health, who inhabits the poncho she inherited from her dad, imbuing her with his gifts when she's wearing it. Not long into her journey, she takes a wrong turn and stumbles across Itzcacalotl, a seventeen year-old Mexica warrior who was separated from his convoy. His ensuing ordeal gifted him raven wings that allow him to fly. Donaji and Itzcacalotl agree to travel together, since they're both going in the same direction. Encounters with strange beasts and supernatural thieves soon have them heading back to Donaji's home with the few clues they've gleaned, where Itzcacalotl learns surprising things that may help them in their ongoing quest.
Once this book got started, it really had me in its grip. The characters are endearing and the setting and mythology compelling. I was also completely charmed by the little sound effects written into the panels. The manga-influenced art is perfectly suited to the material, despite the choice to have dark, detail-obscuring backgrounds in certain panels.
I really enjoyed spending time with Donaji, Itzcacalotl and Chicahualizteotl (their last battle with a monster was especially chilling) and am looking forward to spending more. Not online tho: digital comics are difficult for my old eyes to handle. I just hope the next physical adaptation avoids murkiness and leans into the vibrancy of the original.
Codex Black Vol 1: A Fire Among Clouds by Camilo Moncada Lozano was published April 4 2023 by IDW Publishing and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
This review originally appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
This is a really fun graphic novel that I almost bounced off of in the first few pages because it's so darn dark. And I don't mean in mood: I mean that it's so visually murky that my brain was refusing to engage with the images on the page. I'd had that problem before when my husband gave me a physical copy of Kill Six Billion Demons for Christmas: it looked way better on my PC than on the page. So I went to check out Codex Black's origins on Tapas and was pretty surprised by the choice to drag down the beautiful clean lines and graphic pops of color of the original webcomic with the saturated blacks of the physical book's first few pages.
Fortunately, the book soon switches back to the webcomic's aesthetics, tho I have to concede that the digital art actually does look much more impressive via digital medium. But I, of all, people, cannot complain: physical comics are way easier for me to read in general. It's just easy to tell when something was originally created for a different platform, as it doesn't have quite the same flow as a story written for print.
But enough of my quibbling! You should read this book because it's a really fun story that showcases an under-explored genre in English-speaking literature. In Codex Black, two unlikely young heroes with supernatural powers get together to unravel a personal mystery that promises to have consequences for the entirety of 15th century Mesoamerica.
Donaji is a headstrong fifteen year-old who is determined to leave her mountain home in order to track down her missing father. In this she's aided by Chicahualizteotl, the God of Fortitude and Health, who inhabits the poncho she inherited from her dad, imbuing her with his gifts when she's wearing it. Not long into her journey, she takes a wrong turn and stumbles across Itzcacalotl, a seventeen year-old Mexica warrior who was separated from his convoy. His ensuing ordeal gifted him raven wings that allow him to fly. Donaji and Itzcacalotl agree to travel together, since they're both going in the same direction. Encounters with strange beasts and supernatural thieves soon have them heading back to Donaji's home with the few clues they've gleaned, where Itzcacalotl learns surprising things that may help them in their ongoing quest.
Once this book got started, it really had me in its grip. The characters are endearing and the setting and mythology compelling. I was also completely charmed by the little sound effects written into the panels. The manga-influenced art is perfectly suited to the material, despite the choice to have dark, detail-obscuring backgrounds in certain panels.
I really enjoyed spending time with Donaji, Itzcacalotl and Chicahualizteotl (their last battle with a monster was especially chilling) and am looking forward to spending more. Not online tho: digital comics are difficult for my old eyes to handle. I just hope the next physical adaptation avoids murkiness and leans into the vibrancy of the original.
Codex Black Vol 1: A Fire Among Clouds by Camilo Moncada Lozano was published April 4 2023 by IDW Publishing and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
This review originally appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
February 25, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher IDW Publishing for an advance copy of this graphic novel that is both an exciting read, but an introduction to the people, culture and myths of Mesoamerica.
Growing up I was blessed with a family who loved to travel to every tag sale, flea market, and book sale that was within a two hour ride on weekends. My mom loved owls, my father loved tools and old records, and my brother and I loved books and comics. We would get anything we could, newspaper strips, magazine, collections, single issues. If it looked cool, and the price was right, back to the car we would go ready to read. I was familiar with comic works from around the world the European collections, some early manga, and a lot of comics from Mexico and Argentina. I never really understood the stories a lot of the time, but I loved the art and got a feeling for the mythology, and some history as I got older and branched out in reading. The style the sense or adventure came off the page, it just seemed fun even if I was filling in the blanks a lot of the time. This is same sense of fun and adventure is what I had while reading this new collection Codex Black (Book One): A Fire Among Clouds written and illustrated by Camilo Moncada Lozano, and colored by Angel De Santiago. This graphic novel, for younger kids features two companions, both lost, their adventures together, learning lessons and having fun.
The story is set in Mesoamerica, the cultural and historical region stretching from Mexico to Costa Rica, and set in the fifteenth century. Readers first meet Itzcacalotl, a 17-year-old Mexica boy who has become separated from his group, do to his fascination with crow feathers. Itzcacaotl falls into a pit that is part of a temple, and is trapped for almost a week before being granted a gift by the gods of wings to fly out to freedom. Upon landing he meets Donaji, a young Zapotec woman of fifteen who is looking for her missing father, accompanied only by a poncho that is the dwelling place of a god. Together these two decide to unite on a quest to find Donaji's missing father, and are challenged by creatures great, small and the gods themselves.
A very fun adventure with a story and mythology that I was unfamiliar with, but that I enjoyed, and learned a lot about, including historical information I was also unaware of. The story is for young people, but older people like me will still enjoy it, as it is a clear story, told well, and with a good sense of adventure. This project started as animated shorts, that were brought together and it shows as the art is clean, clear and very distinctive. I liked the coloring, the way the characters were represented, and the way everything fit together. The story unfolds carefully, never overwhelming in facts or story, with a nice pace that keeps the reader following along willingly.
I enjoyed this story and can't wait to share it with my nephews. A very good mix of story, mythology with lots of information about a time and place that many readers will really enjoy.
Growing up I was blessed with a family who loved to travel to every tag sale, flea market, and book sale that was within a two hour ride on weekends. My mom loved owls, my father loved tools and old records, and my brother and I loved books and comics. We would get anything we could, newspaper strips, magazine, collections, single issues. If it looked cool, and the price was right, back to the car we would go ready to read. I was familiar with comic works from around the world the European collections, some early manga, and a lot of comics from Mexico and Argentina. I never really understood the stories a lot of the time, but I loved the art and got a feeling for the mythology, and some history as I got older and branched out in reading. The style the sense or adventure came off the page, it just seemed fun even if I was filling in the blanks a lot of the time. This is same sense of fun and adventure is what I had while reading this new collection Codex Black (Book One): A Fire Among Clouds written and illustrated by Camilo Moncada Lozano, and colored by Angel De Santiago. This graphic novel, for younger kids features two companions, both lost, their adventures together, learning lessons and having fun.
The story is set in Mesoamerica, the cultural and historical region stretching from Mexico to Costa Rica, and set in the fifteenth century. Readers first meet Itzcacalotl, a 17-year-old Mexica boy who has become separated from his group, do to his fascination with crow feathers. Itzcacaotl falls into a pit that is part of a temple, and is trapped for almost a week before being granted a gift by the gods of wings to fly out to freedom. Upon landing he meets Donaji, a young Zapotec woman of fifteen who is looking for her missing father, accompanied only by a poncho that is the dwelling place of a god. Together these two decide to unite on a quest to find Donaji's missing father, and are challenged by creatures great, small and the gods themselves.
A very fun adventure with a story and mythology that I was unfamiliar with, but that I enjoyed, and learned a lot about, including historical information I was also unaware of. The story is for young people, but older people like me will still enjoy it, as it is a clear story, told well, and with a good sense of adventure. This project started as animated shorts, that were brought together and it shows as the art is clean, clear and very distinctive. I liked the coloring, the way the characters were represented, and the way everything fit together. The story unfolds carefully, never overwhelming in facts or story, with a nice pace that keeps the reader following along willingly.
I enjoyed this story and can't wait to share it with my nephews. A very good mix of story, mythology with lots of information about a time and place that many readers will really enjoy.
May 10, 2023
Rating: 5. A vibrant and fantastical graphic novel adventure full of Mesoamerican culture, blazing and shadowy gods, and two unlikely friends setting off on a long journey.
Thank you IDW Publishing for providing an e-book copy through NetGalley.
Synopsis
Up on a dense mountain in Mesoamerica, Donaji, a head-strong and stubborn sixteen-year old Zapotec girl, is determined to find her missing father. Wearing a poncho inhabited by Chicahualizteotl, the God of Strength, she is praised as a hero by her village as she heads out to start her search. On the other side of the mountain, Itzcacalotl, a Mexica seventeen-year old warrior, travels with a caravan when he falls into a deep pit and is left behind. Before starving to death, he discovers the power of the Crow that sprouts wings from his back, so he flies to safety. When Donaji and Itzcacalotl cross paths, their meeting sparks a new adventure filled with legendary creatures, dangerous gods, and tribes from all over Cemanahuac. As Donaji hunts for her father and Itzcacalotl figures out his purpose in life, the two learn to grow as warriors, heroes, and friends as war brews on the horizon and ancient dark forces rise up to the surface.
What I Liked:
Codex Black: A Fire Among the Clouds is a fantastic adventure to read, especially since you rarely see Mesoamerican history, culture, and folklore in YA media that’s shown in a fun way (aka The Spanish conquistadors are very absent). The overall art is wonderful: The colors are bright and energetic; The line art thick and bold; The pseudo-anime style and Lozano’s unique spin on it enhances character’s expression so readers know when scenes are exciting, tense, or funny. The author, illustrators, & colorist showcases hues, patterns, and imagery used by the ancient Mesoamericans, and everything really pops out of the page, making it one of the most vibrant YA graphic novels out there. Donaji and Itzcacalotl are wonderful protagonists as their differing personalities bounce off each other well, and they lift each other up when it really matters. The side characters, terrifying monsters, and villains of the story add depth to the narrative and are never unnecessary, annoying, or useless. The world building is so well-done that you can tell Lozano did his research in the history, the culture, and the many tribes of Mesoamerican during the 15th century. He even provides a glossary, historical context, and encyclopedia of all the places, characters, and creatures that appear in the story. There is a lot of love put into this graphic novel, and it really shows. Definitely check it out!
What I Didn’t Like: Nothing!
Who Would I Recommend This To: Teens who like mythology and folklore based stories, who want to read about ancient cultures and native peoples, specifically in Mesoamerica, and who want stories with good duo protagonists with charm, vibrancy, and strong personalities.
Review Date: March 29, 2023
Thank you IDW Publishing for providing an e-book copy through NetGalley.
Synopsis
Up on a dense mountain in Mesoamerica, Donaji, a head-strong and stubborn sixteen-year old Zapotec girl, is determined to find her missing father. Wearing a poncho inhabited by Chicahualizteotl, the God of Strength, she is praised as a hero by her village as she heads out to start her search. On the other side of the mountain, Itzcacalotl, a Mexica seventeen-year old warrior, travels with a caravan when he falls into a deep pit and is left behind. Before starving to death, he discovers the power of the Crow that sprouts wings from his back, so he flies to safety. When Donaji and Itzcacalotl cross paths, their meeting sparks a new adventure filled with legendary creatures, dangerous gods, and tribes from all over Cemanahuac. As Donaji hunts for her father and Itzcacalotl figures out his purpose in life, the two learn to grow as warriors, heroes, and friends as war brews on the horizon and ancient dark forces rise up to the surface.
What I Liked:
Codex Black: A Fire Among the Clouds is a fantastic adventure to read, especially since you rarely see Mesoamerican history, culture, and folklore in YA media that’s shown in a fun way (aka The Spanish conquistadors are very absent). The overall art is wonderful: The colors are bright and energetic; The line art thick and bold; The pseudo-anime style and Lozano’s unique spin on it enhances character’s expression so readers know when scenes are exciting, tense, or funny. The author, illustrators, & colorist showcases hues, patterns, and imagery used by the ancient Mesoamericans, and everything really pops out of the page, making it one of the most vibrant YA graphic novels out there. Donaji and Itzcacalotl are wonderful protagonists as their differing personalities bounce off each other well, and they lift each other up when it really matters. The side characters, terrifying monsters, and villains of the story add depth to the narrative and are never unnecessary, annoying, or useless. The world building is so well-done that you can tell Lozano did his research in the history, the culture, and the many tribes of Mesoamerican during the 15th century. He even provides a glossary, historical context, and encyclopedia of all the places, characters, and creatures that appear in the story. There is a lot of love put into this graphic novel, and it really shows. Definitely check it out!
What I Didn’t Like: Nothing!
Who Would I Recommend This To: Teens who like mythology and folklore based stories, who want to read about ancient cultures and native peoples, specifically in Mesoamerica, and who want stories with good duo protagonists with charm, vibrancy, and strong personalities.
Review Date: March 29, 2023
May 13, 2024
**Received from the publisher as an advanced copy
Change the mythology, but a manga style story is still a manga style story! I was hesitant about entering into this book, which combined classic manga stylings (from the artwork to the base plotline) with South American mythology, but I was surprisingly impressed with the author/illustrator’s unique perspective. We have familiar visuals with large eyes, chunky hair, and splashy action layouts, but with a distinctly Mayan colour palette, costuming, and totemic forest setting we’re quickly brought into a unique world that is far steps away from what we initially expected. Centred around an independent girl in search of her father (a classic trope) and a crow-powers wielding outcast (a fun twist on the magical male companion), the story sets the groundwork for an epic adventure. The pair encounter their fair share of challenges in this first novel, everything from being robbed by a kind of well meaning thief to facing an oversized demon creature, that fans of classic manga will revel in the familiarity of narration but still have fun with the cultural twists that introduce a new mythology. The language may not be familiar, but any good otaku will quickly jump on board and adopt a new lingo so that they can follow along as our hero’s grace their way through the mountains of South America meeting gods, kings, and villagers. This is only the initial volume in what could potentially be a lengthy series (even when Donají finds her father, there are infinite ways to spin off more quests for our protagonists), so it’s a bit hard to judge whether this one is going to be a hit or not. A lot of these manga gained traction because of their weekly/monthly drops as part of a set of stories in volumes like Shonen Jump, so the invest in a particular story is low before gaining a following and legit grounds, so we’ll see if fans are intrigued enough by the trapping of a new mythology to stay tuned.
Change the mythology, but a manga style story is still a manga style story! I was hesitant about entering into this book, which combined classic manga stylings (from the artwork to the base plotline) with South American mythology, but I was surprisingly impressed with the author/illustrator’s unique perspective. We have familiar visuals with large eyes, chunky hair, and splashy action layouts, but with a distinctly Mayan colour palette, costuming, and totemic forest setting we’re quickly brought into a unique world that is far steps away from what we initially expected. Centred around an independent girl in search of her father (a classic trope) and a crow-powers wielding outcast (a fun twist on the magical male companion), the story sets the groundwork for an epic adventure. The pair encounter their fair share of challenges in this first novel, everything from being robbed by a kind of well meaning thief to facing an oversized demon creature, that fans of classic manga will revel in the familiarity of narration but still have fun with the cultural twists that introduce a new mythology. The language may not be familiar, but any good otaku will quickly jump on board and adopt a new lingo so that they can follow along as our hero’s grace their way through the mountains of South America meeting gods, kings, and villagers. This is only the initial volume in what could potentially be a lengthy series (even when Donají finds her father, there are infinite ways to spin off more quests for our protagonists), so it’s a bit hard to judge whether this one is going to be a hit or not. A lot of these manga gained traction because of their weekly/monthly drops as part of a set of stories in volumes like Shonen Jump, so the invest in a particular story is low before gaining a following and legit grounds, so we’ll see if fans are intrigued enough by the trapping of a new mythology to stay tuned.
August 18, 2023
When Itzacacalotl (a Mexica warrior with the wings of a crow) and Donaji (the hero of a small Zapotec mountain village and bearer of a god-inhabited poncho) are attacked by a huge monster shortly after crossing paths while both are lost in a dense jungle, they quickly discover they make a good team. Itzacacalotl has been separated from his caravan so he decides to accompany Donaji on her mission to track down information on her missing father. As the two travel around the Cemanahuac, the mystery of Donaji's father's disappearance deepens, and the new friends must face growing threats from the Triple Alliance - three city-states conquering more and more territory, a talented thief, and powerful supernatural creatures.
The characters are distinct, engaging, and likable, the setting - 15th century Mesoamerica - is fascinating (this was a really fun way to learn more about that time; the book did a fantastic job of transporting the reader there), and the plot moved along quickly! As someone with little to no knowledge of Nahuatl or Zapotec, I really appreciated the pronunciation guide in the back of the book (I wish I had known about it while reading the book but it will be really useful for booktalking), as well as the notes on historical context and the supernatural beings included in the story. (I think there even may be a clue there about what comes next in the series...) The only reason I didn't rate the book higher was that every once in a while I had difficulty following the illustrations and reading a few expressions. (Looking back, I think this mostly happened when there were little "sides" that occur during action sequences, but it wasn't a frequent occurrence.)
Publisher recommended for ages 13-17 and grades 8th-12th, though I would bring this to younger grades as well. (There is no romance, gore, particularly scary moments, etc.)
The characters are distinct, engaging, and likable, the setting - 15th century Mesoamerica - is fascinating (this was a really fun way to learn more about that time; the book did a fantastic job of transporting the reader there), and the plot moved along quickly! As someone with little to no knowledge of Nahuatl or Zapotec, I really appreciated the pronunciation guide in the back of the book (I wish I had known about it while reading the book but it will be really useful for booktalking), as well as the notes on historical context and the supernatural beings included in the story. (I think there even may be a clue there about what comes next in the series...) The only reason I didn't rate the book higher was that every once in a while I had difficulty following the illustrations and reading a few expressions. (Looking back, I think this mostly happened when there were little "sides" that occur during action sequences, but it wasn't a frequent occurrence.)
Publisher recommended for ages 13-17 and grades 8th-12th, though I would bring this to younger grades as well. (There is no romance, gore, particularly scary moments, etc.)
March 29, 2023
I want to thank NetGalley for sending me an e-advance readers copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest response.
One of the things that attracted me to request this graphic novel was how I could point out from the cover that this was going to be rich in knowledge and stories of my culture. I think we are still in the era of superheroes and whether you agree or not, these are the kinds of heroes I would’ve loved to seen as a kid. They stem from culture(s) that did exist and it’s not made up. The story was created from inspiration from the cultures but the rich cultures itself are ones inspired by what already existed long ago.
With a graphic novel, I love the attention to detail and there was a lot in this graphic novel. One of the side character, the poncho god, was somewhat of a guide for the main characters. When he is speaking in the novel - the illustrations show that he’s talking by making the word bubble outlined twice. For words or places that a reader might not know, there is an indication to an explanation so that the reader can understand the word. In the back of the graphic novel the creators made it possible to give as much information possible for whoever is new to the subject of Aztec culture. Information that is not overwhelming but enough to get a reader to follow along.
The visuals in this graphic novel can easily seen cinematically. There is movement in the images that show action and character flare that makes each character unique. I appreciate the plot as a way to introduce everyone without giving too much away so easily. This is going to be a series so for it to move forward it did the job of showing you a part of the journey.
One of the things that attracted me to request this graphic novel was how I could point out from the cover that this was going to be rich in knowledge and stories of my culture. I think we are still in the era of superheroes and whether you agree or not, these are the kinds of heroes I would’ve loved to seen as a kid. They stem from culture(s) that did exist and it’s not made up. The story was created from inspiration from the cultures but the rich cultures itself are ones inspired by what already existed long ago.
With a graphic novel, I love the attention to detail and there was a lot in this graphic novel. One of the side character, the poncho god, was somewhat of a guide for the main characters. When he is speaking in the novel - the illustrations show that he’s talking by making the word bubble outlined twice. For words or places that a reader might not know, there is an indication to an explanation so that the reader can understand the word. In the back of the graphic novel the creators made it possible to give as much information possible for whoever is new to the subject of Aztec culture. Information that is not overwhelming but enough to get a reader to follow along.
The visuals in this graphic novel can easily seen cinematically. There is movement in the images that show action and character flare that makes each character unique. I appreciate the plot as a way to introduce everyone without giving too much away so easily. This is going to be a series so for it to move forward it did the job of showing you a part of the journey.
March 31, 2023
Codex Black by Camilo Moncada L.
Before I get into this one, let me clarify one thing: I do not regularly read graphic novels, and henceforth am not part of the target audience. While I am very familiar with serialized cartoons and comics such as Calvin & Hobbes or Phoebe and her Unicorn, the graphic novel movement has missed me so far. However, I was thrilled to jump into a new kind of genre, and had a blast researching what makes a great graphic novel.
This graphic novel is an adventure tale set among the geographic wonders of 15th Century Mesoamerica. On a quest to find her missing father, our heroine Donají sets off on a journey across jungles, mountains, and cities in her search. Along the way she meets another questing soul, a teen boy with wings named Itzcaclotl, and together they battle monsters, gods, and humans while becoming friends.
The plot is somewhat circular, and there are a lot of loose threads at the end, but since this is intended to be the first in a series I expect that these strands will be fleshed out in later volumes. As for content, there are several extended chase scenes and some moments of violence, so it is better for a teen/adult audience as opposed to young readers. I had mixed feelings about the art — some sections were beautiful and well-rendered in splendid colour, but occasionally the images lacked charm. The best part of this graphic novel is the fascinating footnotes included throughout, which do a great job explaining the history of this important, often overlooked part of North America.
Before I get into this one, let me clarify one thing: I do not regularly read graphic novels, and henceforth am not part of the target audience. While I am very familiar with serialized cartoons and comics such as Calvin & Hobbes or Phoebe and her Unicorn, the graphic novel movement has missed me so far. However, I was thrilled to jump into a new kind of genre, and had a blast researching what makes a great graphic novel.
This graphic novel is an adventure tale set among the geographic wonders of 15th Century Mesoamerica. On a quest to find her missing father, our heroine Donají sets off on a journey across jungles, mountains, and cities in her search. Along the way she meets another questing soul, a teen boy with wings named Itzcaclotl, and together they battle monsters, gods, and humans while becoming friends.
The plot is somewhat circular, and there are a lot of loose threads at the end, but since this is intended to be the first in a series I expect that these strands will be fleshed out in later volumes. As for content, there are several extended chase scenes and some moments of violence, so it is better for a teen/adult audience as opposed to young readers. I had mixed feelings about the art — some sections were beautiful and well-rendered in splendid colour, but occasionally the images lacked charm. The best part of this graphic novel is the fascinating footnotes included throughout, which do a great job explaining the history of this important, often overlooked part of North America.
April 2, 2023
This is the first book in a new graphic novel series following two mesoamerican teenagers in a historical fantasy adventure inspired by the culture and mythology of the Aztec period. We follow Donaji, a girl whose father mysteriously vanished 11 years ago, on her quest to find out what happened to him with the aid of only her wits and a poncho inhabited by a god of strength. On her journey she meets a young warrior named Itzcacalotl who has developed some mysterious powers of his own. The two of them become fast friends and journey together in an adventure that has them facing thieves, monsters and other dangers.
I loved both of the main characters and their instant friendship seemed genuine since they’re both such guileless people. The world itself features plenty of geopolitical intrigue and strife which was both interesting and educational and I’m sure it will become even more important in the next instalments. There are also mysterious groups of people performing strange rituals and a thief named Citlalmina with an agenda of her own.
I really appreciated reading a story set in a period and culture that isn’t very commonly portrayed in fantasy stories. It’s clear that the author has done their research and is passionate about the period, and that made me enjoy every footnote and historical anecdote even more! I’m definitely invested in continuing the series and I would recommend this to anyone that loves adventure and fantasy stories with historical and mythological elements.
I loved both of the main characters and their instant friendship seemed genuine since they’re both such guileless people. The world itself features plenty of geopolitical intrigue and strife which was both interesting and educational and I’m sure it will become even more important in the next instalments. There are also mysterious groups of people performing strange rituals and a thief named Citlalmina with an agenda of her own.
I really appreciated reading a story set in a period and culture that isn’t very commonly portrayed in fantasy stories. It’s clear that the author has done their research and is passionate about the period, and that made me enjoy every footnote and historical anecdote even more! I’m definitely invested in continuing the series and I would recommend this to anyone that loves adventure and fantasy stories with historical and mythological elements.
Read
April 1, 2023Codex Black is a graphic novel about two extraordinary adventurers who journey across 15th century mesoamerica.
And I love everything about it.
I adore the characters. Donaji is a Zapotec girl in search of her father. She’s a hero in her village but we get the sense she doesn’t believe she deserves the title. And Itzcacalotl is a Mexica warrior who is anything but a hero in his people’s eyes. Their dynamic is adorable and the author doesn’t waste time showing off their chemistry. Citlalmina is a mysterious thief who somehow thinks of the other two as friends, even after robbing and attacking them.
And the world of Cemanahuac is vast. The Triple Alliance grows in power. Forbidden rituals are being performed. And the mystery of Donaji’s father may be part of something bigger than they expected. They’re setting up a lot of things, allowing the reader to anticipate what happens in the next installments. But there’s also enough question marks to draw us in, keep us curious about the lore.
It also took me back to my Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon days. More specifically, watching The Last Airbender. This isn’t to say that the plot is similar but the tone and the humor definitely takes after it. Characters react to things anime-style. There’s even a freeze frame sort of moment each time a new prominent character introduces themselves.
THIS is the mesoamerican adventure I’m sure people would have wanted when they were young. Can’t wait for more.
And I love everything about it.
I adore the characters. Donaji is a Zapotec girl in search of her father. She’s a hero in her village but we get the sense she doesn’t believe she deserves the title. And Itzcacalotl is a Mexica warrior who is anything but a hero in his people’s eyes. Their dynamic is adorable and the author doesn’t waste time showing off their chemistry. Citlalmina is a mysterious thief who somehow thinks of the other two as friends, even after robbing and attacking them.
And the world of Cemanahuac is vast. The Triple Alliance grows in power. Forbidden rituals are being performed. And the mystery of Donaji’s father may be part of something bigger than they expected. They’re setting up a lot of things, allowing the reader to anticipate what happens in the next installments. But there’s also enough question marks to draw us in, keep us curious about the lore.
It also took me back to my Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon days. More specifically, watching The Last Airbender. This isn’t to say that the plot is similar but the tone and the humor definitely takes after it. Characters react to things anime-style. There’s even a freeze frame sort of moment each time a new prominent character introduces themselves.
THIS is the mesoamerican adventure I’m sure people would have wanted when they were young. Can’t wait for more.
August 17, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for an advanced copy of Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds, the first book in a new Graphic Novel series by Camilo Moncada L. This historical fiction fantasy is coloured by Angel DeSantiago. This book is based on the epic adventures of Donaji (a fearless 15 year-old Zapotec girl) and Itzcacalotl (17 year-old winged Mexica warrior boy), two fifteenth-century Mesoamerican teenagers. Their friendship grows as the heroic pair fight threatening monsters and try to find Donaji’s missing father. Oh yeah, Donaji’s poncho is inhabited by the god Chicahualizteotl.
After giving this graphic novel a spin, I gave it to my nearly 11 year old son to read. The suggested audience for this book is 13-17 years old. The Aztec names are tricky to pronounce for sure. My son, although a bit young for this book, was able to follow the story. He’s a good reader. My son found the Aztec names hard to pronounce, which took away from his enjoyment of the book. I agree the names are tricky to pronounce, but I appreciate the cultural significance of the names. My son gives Codex Black a 3/5 stars rating, while I give this book 3.5/5 stars.
I recommend Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds to Middle Grade readers, Young Adult readers, fans of Graphic Novels, and anyone interested in fifteenth century Aztec & Mesoamerican culture and mythology.
#CodexBlackBookOneAFireAmongClouds #NetGalley #CodexBlack #idwpublishing #netgalleyreview #goodreadschallenge2023
After giving this graphic novel a spin, I gave it to my nearly 11 year old son to read. The suggested audience for this book is 13-17 years old. The Aztec names are tricky to pronounce for sure. My son, although a bit young for this book, was able to follow the story. He’s a good reader. My son found the Aztec names hard to pronounce, which took away from his enjoyment of the book. I agree the names are tricky to pronounce, but I appreciate the cultural significance of the names. My son gives Codex Black a 3/5 stars rating, while I give this book 3.5/5 stars.
I recommend Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds to Middle Grade readers, Young Adult readers, fans of Graphic Novels, and anyone interested in fifteenth century Aztec & Mesoamerican culture and mythology.
#CodexBlackBookOneAFireAmongClouds #NetGalley #CodexBlack #idwpublishing #netgalleyreview #goodreadschallenge2023
April 8, 2023
This was so much fun and I feel like I learned so much about Mesoamerican mythology! I love reading books about mythology and mythology retellings, so this was right up my alley.
This is a story of two unexpected heroes coming together to solve a mystery. This first volume is the setup, introducing us to the characters and explaining the mystery. I found myself fully engaged with the narrative and found the characters to be really compelling and endearing. I cannot wait to see where the story goes in the next volume. I also really loved the art style, the colors are bold and bright, and the art just fits really well with the story.
The book is full of action and adventure, as our two protagonists, Donaji and Itzcacalotl travel through Mesoamerica in search of answers to the ever-growing mystery of who Donaji's father really is and what happened to him. There are monsters, a god inhabiting a poncho, and a warrior with the wings of a crow, the story is action-packed and it kept me reading to see what would happen next!
The most challenging aspect of this book for me was the names - I would have loved to have found an audiobook to pair with this just so that I could be sure I was pronouncing everything correctly, but there is a helpful guide at the back of the book.
I recommend this one for ages 12+!
This is a story of two unexpected heroes coming together to solve a mystery. This first volume is the setup, introducing us to the characters and explaining the mystery. I found myself fully engaged with the narrative and found the characters to be really compelling and endearing. I cannot wait to see where the story goes in the next volume. I also really loved the art style, the colors are bold and bright, and the art just fits really well with the story.
The book is full of action and adventure, as our two protagonists, Donaji and Itzcacalotl travel through Mesoamerica in search of answers to the ever-growing mystery of who Donaji's father really is and what happened to him. There are monsters, a god inhabiting a poncho, and a warrior with the wings of a crow, the story is action-packed and it kept me reading to see what would happen next!
The most challenging aspect of this book for me was the names - I would have loved to have found an audiobook to pair with this just so that I could be sure I was pronouncing everything correctly, but there is a helpful guide at the back of the book.
I recommend this one for ages 12+!
February 1, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I was a kid, I always wanted more Mesoamerican lit, be it fictional or nonfiction. When I saw this title I knew i had to grab it for younger me!
The story is ok. Nothing amazing, but nothing bad. Sometimes it felt like there were sudden shifts in the story, however I think there may have been some bits I missed due to watermarks from the publisher that I know blocked out bits of dialog and potentially time skip/location change alerts. The lingering mystery of the story does add some extra interest for me as I fully expected this series to be more episodic.
The art work is overall good.. Sometimes I really loved it. Other times there were style changes that felt a bit abrupt. The color palette is very rich and vibrant; it really helps define the location and culture. The prelude chapter has an absolutely amazing palette that created such an ominous tone, that days later I'm still thinking about it!
Overall, a solid enough debut. I look forward to seeing what volume 2 brings us.
When I was a kid, I always wanted more Mesoamerican lit, be it fictional or nonfiction. When I saw this title I knew i had to grab it for younger me!
The story is ok. Nothing amazing, but nothing bad. Sometimes it felt like there were sudden shifts in the story, however I think there may have been some bits I missed due to watermarks from the publisher that I know blocked out bits of dialog and potentially time skip/location change alerts. The lingering mystery of the story does add some extra interest for me as I fully expected this series to be more episodic.
The art work is overall good.. Sometimes I really loved it. Other times there were style changes that felt a bit abrupt. The color palette is very rich and vibrant; it really helps define the location and culture. The prelude chapter has an absolutely amazing palette that created such an ominous tone, that days later I'm still thinking about it!
Overall, a solid enough debut. I look forward to seeing what volume 2 brings us.
August 24, 2023
Action packed middle grade fantasy-historical fiction graphic novel that follows two young adventurers in 15th century Mesoamerica. There are monsters/legends/gods from mythology and vibrant artwork that captures what life may have looked like back then in an appealing way.
Unfortunately, I found the story hard to follow - there was a lot of jumping back and forth between viewpoints/characters without any warning. The fight scenes were also really hard for me to parse easily - it's almost as if they suffered from an oversaturation of color or movement or something. The way all the characters had gigantic eyes and stylized hair made them hard to tell apart, especially in the night scenes or fight scenes.
In general, I love the representation of a culture you tend not to see much of in fantasy/literature. The mythology and nods to history were great. The MCs were also fairly simple, but for MG, I thought they were a great pair to root for. I just wish the artwork didn't make me work so hard to figure out what was happening. If I can actually convince the kids to read it, they might like it, but so far they haven't been interested.
Unfortunately, I found the story hard to follow - there was a lot of jumping back and forth between viewpoints/characters without any warning. The fight scenes were also really hard for me to parse easily - it's almost as if they suffered from an oversaturation of color or movement or something. The way all the characters had gigantic eyes and stylized hair made them hard to tell apart, especially in the night scenes or fight scenes.
In general, I love the representation of a culture you tend not to see much of in fantasy/literature. The mythology and nods to history were great. The MCs were also fairly simple, but for MG, I thought they were a great pair to root for. I just wish the artwork didn't make me work so hard to figure out what was happening. If I can actually convince the kids to read it, they might like it, but so far they haven't been interested.
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