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Kaya #1-5
Kaya, Vol. 1
Kaya, a young girl with a magic arm and a fighting spirit is tasked with delivering her little brother to a far away safe harbor. There he’s destined to find the answer to overthrowing the all-powerful empire that destroyed their home. Starting out on their journey, they’ll face lizard-riders, monstrous beasts, and secrets that could tear brother and sister apart.
From writer-artist WES CRAIG (Deadly Class, Gravediggers Union) comes an astonishing new fantasy-adventure about siblings surviving in a world of monsters and mutants.
Fans of Conan, Lord of the Rings, Bone, and Adventure Time, will enjoy this continuing series of books.
Collects KAYA #1-5 ( plus a 16 PAGE PROLOGUE)
“There is literally nothing in comics I love more than being introduced into a strange new world inhabited by characters you very quickly grow to love. Kaya is that. A whole load of that.”
-Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Fire Power)
"One of my favorite storytellers, taking us on a human and fantastical adventure. For the characters' this is a journey across a desert, but for us, it's an oasis of joy.”
-Kieron Gillen (The Wicked & The Divine, Die)
"This book's an absolute delight from a master working at the peak of his craft. My favorite thing I've read this year.”
-James Harren (UltraMega)
From writer-artist WES CRAIG (Deadly Class, Gravediggers Union) comes an astonishing new fantasy-adventure about siblings surviving in a world of monsters and mutants.
Fans of Conan, Lord of the Rings, Bone, and Adventure Time, will enjoy this continuing series of books.
Collects KAYA #1-5 ( plus a 16 PAGE PROLOGUE)
“There is literally nothing in comics I love more than being introduced into a strange new world inhabited by characters you very quickly grow to love. Kaya is that. A whole load of that.”
-Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Fire Power)
"One of my favorite storytellers, taking us on a human and fantastical adventure. For the characters' this is a journey across a desert, but for us, it's an oasis of joy.”
-Kieron Gillen (The Wicked & The Divine, Die)
"This book's an absolute delight from a master working at the peak of his craft. My favorite thing I've read this year.”
-James Harren (UltraMega)
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2023
About the author
Wes Craig
242 books43 followersWes Craig is the artist/co-creator of DEADLY CLASS with Rick Remender, and the writer/co-creator of THE GRAVEDIGGERS UNION with artist Toby Cypress, both published by Image Comics.
Working out of Montreal, Quebec, he has been drawing comic books professionally since 2004 on such titles as Guardians of the Galaxy, Batman, and The Flash.
Working out of Montreal, Quebec, he has been drawing comic books professionally since 2004 on such titles as Guardians of the Galaxy, Batman, and The Flash.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
July 27, 2025
(B+) 77% | Good
Notes: Art's awful smart, but its heroine's flat: a bulletproof striker, no reason to like her, her brother's where sympathy's at.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Prologue–Issue #2 ◦ Issues #3–5
Notes: Art's awful smart, but its heroine's flat: a bulletproof striker, no reason to like her, her brother's where sympathy's at.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Prologue–Issue #2 ◦ Issues #3–5
March 12, 2023
Kaya is okay.
As you'd expect with Wes Craig, there's some beautiful art, which is then used to tell a middle of the road story, with derivative worldbuilding. That's the long and the short of it.
There's one thing that did drive me nuts: Kaya's prosthetic Iron Man arm. WHY is that thing in there. It looks silly and out of place (and not in a that's-weird-and-alien kind of way), and is constantly used to easily solve any and all problems. A portable deus ex machina. It undermines Kaya's strength as a character, and it undermines one of the main themes of the book - Kaya's half-brother Jin thinks he has magical powers, and she says magic doesn't exist, and he's kidding himself. So Jin says "but what about your Iron Man arm!?", and she has no real response. (The arm also falls into a dumb trope, where the arm can't just be a prosthetic but it has to have superpowers/special features)
That's a lot of words about an arm, but there you go.
(Picked up an ARC through Edelweiss)
As you'd expect with Wes Craig, there's some beautiful art, which is then used to tell a middle of the road story, with derivative worldbuilding. That's the long and the short of it.
There's one thing that did drive me nuts: Kaya's prosthetic Iron Man arm. WHY is that thing in there. It looks silly and out of place (and not in a that's-weird-and-alien kind of way), and is constantly used to easily solve any and all problems. A portable deus ex machina. It undermines Kaya's strength as a character, and it undermines one of the main themes of the book - Kaya's half-brother Jin thinks he has magical powers, and she says magic doesn't exist, and he's kidding himself. So Jin says "but what about your Iron Man arm!?", and she has no real response. (The arm also falls into a dumb trope, where the arm can't just be a prosthetic but it has to have superpowers/special features)
That's a lot of words about an arm, but there you go.
(Picked up an ARC through Edelweiss)
June 16, 2026
In an ancient-looking dystopian world of humans, machines, and anthropomorphic animal races. A fierce human huntress Girls' home, Khahaka(the last Human kingdom), is destroyed by the Atrians, an ever-expanding empire of machines and robots, because of a prophecy involving her half-brother, who is the heir to the throne of the now fallen kingdom, and supposedly has the power to defeat the Atrians. After swearing to her dying uncle to protect the boy and deliver him to a faraway temple of monks who will train him and give him the knowledge required to defeat the Atrians, the girl, Kaya and her kid bro, Jin embark on a very long journey into the desert.
On their way through the desert, they encounter the reptilian Lizard Riders, and among them is Keith, a brave, old friend of Kaya’s who is nephew to the current pacifist Lizard queen, and Zothan, a cowardly descendant of former Lizard leaders, and expected next heir, who favors his people's old inhumane ways of raiding and slavery. The Lizard Riders intend to travel to Goro Bay, a neighboring kingdom of Aquarians and sea life people, to hunt a giant armored spider monster, which would bolster the treaty between them and the Aquarians. Kaya and her brother decide to help and travel with them to acquire resources for their own journey. Keith and Kaya have long liked each other, but Keith has been betrothed to the Princess of Goro Bay and decides to keep this from Kaya.
They hunt down the terrifying Beast, with Keith and Kaya managing to kill it, but Kaya gets injured, and they lose a strong Lizard rider due to Zothan’s ineptitude and cowardice. Keith tells Kaya how he is set to marry the princess of Goro Bay upon their arrival, which leaves Kaya very pissed at him. Zothan, feeling responsible for his colleague's death, renounces his title and takes on the name and responsibilities of the deceased Rider. Upon reaching Goro Bay, they sell the Carcass of the Monster they killed, Kaya gets some much-needed money for her and her brothers' journey, and the wedding ceremony holds, with Keith meeting his new Aquarian princess bride, but discovering that they have nothing in common. Outside, Saya is suddenly attacked by an unknown enemy who kidnaps Jin, referring to him as the Golden One.
Before I get into anything, let me just first say how much I love this art; it is brilliant and more than enough reason for me to continue reading after this first volume. The story, on the other hand, is still quite interesting, but not very compelling. We aren’t told much about the main lead, Kaya, and although her brother is more developed, he’s just a kid. It’s an okay first volume, but it could have been executed a lot better. Onto the next then!
On their way through the desert, they encounter the reptilian Lizard Riders, and among them is Keith, a brave, old friend of Kaya’s who is nephew to the current pacifist Lizard queen, and Zothan, a cowardly descendant of former Lizard leaders, and expected next heir, who favors his people's old inhumane ways of raiding and slavery. The Lizard Riders intend to travel to Goro Bay, a neighboring kingdom of Aquarians and sea life people, to hunt a giant armored spider monster, which would bolster the treaty between them and the Aquarians. Kaya and her brother decide to help and travel with them to acquire resources for their own journey. Keith and Kaya have long liked each other, but Keith has been betrothed to the Princess of Goro Bay and decides to keep this from Kaya.
They hunt down the terrifying Beast, with Keith and Kaya managing to kill it, but Kaya gets injured, and they lose a strong Lizard rider due to Zothan’s ineptitude and cowardice. Keith tells Kaya how he is set to marry the princess of Goro Bay upon their arrival, which leaves Kaya very pissed at him. Zothan, feeling responsible for his colleague's death, renounces his title and takes on the name and responsibilities of the deceased Rider. Upon reaching Goro Bay, they sell the Carcass of the Monster they killed, Kaya gets some much-needed money for her and her brothers' journey, and the wedding ceremony holds, with Keith meeting his new Aquarian princess bride, but discovering that they have nothing in common. Outside, Saya is suddenly attacked by an unknown enemy who kidnaps Jin, referring to him as the Golden One.
Before I get into anything, let me just first say how much I love this art; it is brilliant and more than enough reason for me to continue reading after this first volume. The story, on the other hand, is still quite interesting, but not very compelling. We aren’t told much about the main lead, Kaya, and although her brother is more developed, he’s just a kid. It’s an okay first volume, but it could have been executed a lot better. Onto the next then!
April 30, 2023
A fantasy series featuring a girl and her young brother teaming up with some Lizard-Riders, one of which Kaya has feeling for. It's a fun fantasy adventure with Kaya and the Lizard-Riders fighting a giant spider and surviving in a desolate waste-land with little food. The last issue introduces a ton of backstory for Kaya that I thought was a bit unnecessary but does set up the series for something more than just this one volume.
October 7, 2023
A solid tale of a sister and brother just trying to survive. The cartoony art helps make this feel different but I will say nothing surprised me, everyone acted like I expected, and I didn't get the sense of excitement I was hoping I would by the end. I do like the characters but didn't love them. A 3 out of 5.
June 26, 2025
До «Каї» Веса Крейґа я приглядався давно. Звісно, його одну з найгучніших робіт «Клас смерті» не читав, але це не перепона, щоб познайомитися з його авторським фентезі-проєктом. Результат виявився доволі цікавим — не без зауваг, але з відчутним потенціалом.
Це історія про втечу, мандрівку та пошук надії. Після падіння королівства дівчина-воїтелька Кая повинна провести свого молодшого брата Джина до далекого притулку — монастиря, де він має здобути знання, аби повалити імперію, яка знищила їхній дім. Але дорога встелена небезпеками: ящірколюди, монстри, сумнівні союзи і власні травми. Це класична пригодницька історія, де зовнішня подорож переплітається з внутрішньою.
Комікс затягує. Візуально — це радість для очей, а сюжетно — це пригода, сповнена чарівного занурення у новий світ. Історія трохи наївна, трохи похмура, але щира.
Кая — сувора, закрита, витривала. Вона не обирала бути героїнею, але виконує обов’язок, покладений на неї дядьком. Її механічна рука — і зброя, і символ її пораненого минулого. Але ця сила — не лише фізична. Кая — це та героїня, що бореться не тільки з ворогами, а й зі своєю втомою, гнівом і мовчазною тугою.
Джин — її повна протилежність (навіть не дивно). Малий принц, наївний і відірваний від реального світу, але з внутрішньою вірою у власну місію. Їхні стосунки — серце історії. Напруга, непорозуміння, але і братерсько-сестриньска турбота між ними.
Малюнок Веса Крейґа — поки найсильніша сторона коміксу. Кая з чорними дредами, смугою через очі й «залізною» рукою виглядає переконливо і впізнавано в кожній сцені — чи то в бою, чи на тлі пустелі. Джин із круглою міткою навколо ока й червоним чубом також запам’ятовується. Оточення також промальовано виразно: пустелі, ліси, невеликі поселення. Кольори Джейсона Ворді теплі, м’які, з пастельними відтінками, що створюють яскравий, але не надмірний візуальний світ. Мені вельми сподобався малюнок.
«Кая, Том 1» — це досить хороший початок великої історії. Світ приваблює, герої викликають цікавість, а малюнок захоплює. Це класичне фентезі з духом пригод. Але й варто розуміти — це лише початок. З висновком я буду обережним, адже є велике бажання, щоб серія добре розвивалася в сюжетному плані. Глянемо, як буде далі.
July 30, 2023
A classic fantasy adventure where a girl trained as a hunter (with a magic arm) has to take her annoying little brother across a dangerous land to find safety. Along the way they encounter many dangers and some friendly faces.
I picked this up because the art appealed to me, it has the kind of cartoonish style that reminds me of the kinds of comics I liked to read as a kid.
The story itself is pretty straight forward, fun adventure that sets up lots of plot points that may or may not be addressed in future volumes. If that sounds like your sort of thing, I'd definitely recommend it.
I picked this up because the art appealed to me, it has the kind of cartoonish style that reminds me of the kinds of comics I liked to read as a kid.
The story itself is pretty straight forward, fun adventure that sets up lots of plot points that may or may not be addressed in future volumes. If that sounds like your sort of thing, I'd definitely recommend it.
February 16, 2023
I love what Wes Craig did on Deadly Class and once he started teasing that he has a fantasy project in the works I was excited to check it out. Kaya is a beautifully drawn story about a girl named Kaya, her brother and a bunch of exciting fantasy races. The world has lizard riders, weird fish people, robots and double-headed spiders. It is a joy to see the world unveil Craig's unique style. He created different races and world, which is diverse and colourful (this is done by very pastel-like colouring) and it all fits very neatly together. The panelling is crisp and sharp. It reads and flows very well. It is a different style from Craigs Deadly class, where it was very dynamic and energetic, this feels more like a "traditional" story with its inspiration taken from the 80s comics etc.
The story is very basic. It is a almost quest-like story - two siblings need to run away to a safe place and save the world. However, most of the story consists of individual adventures and they are fun to read. My main gripe with the story is the main two leads - Kaya is not likeable at all, she just shouts and yells - and it is understandable because of her past. She is to be the terminator, the protector of her younger brother, just following her promise and she felt to me a little bit flat. But it also gives an opportunity for other characters to be more fleshed out. Also, the dialogue in some places was rough and would be better with a second editing draft.
But these are only small things. Overall I have really enjoyed the first five issues and the prologue because the atmosphere is great, the story is engaging and the setting is brilliant. I will definitely read more!
The story is very basic. It is a almost quest-like story - two siblings need to run away to a safe place and save the world. However, most of the story consists of individual adventures and they are fun to read. My main gripe with the story is the main two leads - Kaya is not likeable at all, she just shouts and yells - and it is understandable because of her past. She is to be the terminator, the protector of her younger brother, just following her promise and she felt to me a little bit flat. But it also gives an opportunity for other characters to be more fleshed out. Also, the dialogue in some places was rough and would be better with a second editing draft.
But these are only small things. Overall I have really enjoyed the first five issues and the prologue because the atmosphere is great, the story is engaging and the setting is brilliant. I will definitely read more!
August 5, 2023
Gorgeous visual craft deployed in this one, about a young Prince-to-be and his half sister, who narrowly escape the fate of their kingdom, destroyed because the prince has supposed precognition of tearing down an empire of, what appears to be, killer robots. This is obviously supposed to be a pretty long series though, because as they embark on this quest to go to the far north, they encounter various obstacles that take a pretty long time to move beyond.
They mostly act as devices for worldbuilding and to get the two to interact with more than each other. Otherwise they’re pretty much always at one another’s throats, which does get pretty boring. The Prince is a privileged child with no skills for surviving in the wild, and of course, the sister is the complete opposite and has no access to her feelings or much communication skills to speak of. It’s basically inverted masculine-feminine tropes, but their relationship feels well enough fleshed out. I struggled to connect with the plot though, as the larger arc seems incrementally progressed, and this backstory element became predominate instead.
They mostly act as devices for worldbuilding and to get the two to interact with more than each other. Otherwise they’re pretty much always at one another’s throats, which does get pretty boring. The Prince is a privileged child with no skills for surviving in the wild, and of course, the sister is the complete opposite and has no access to her feelings or much communication skills to speak of. It’s basically inverted masculine-feminine tropes, but their relationship feels well enough fleshed out. I struggled to connect with the plot though, as the larger arc seems incrementally progressed, and this backstory element became predominate instead.
December 20, 2024
Good first arc. Solid introduction and the cliff hanger at the end of issue 5 definitely makes me want to keep reading. I loved Wes Craig's art in Deadly Class and I feel like it's only gotten better with Kaya. I'm stoked to see what he has in store for us with this new series.
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March 19, 2023This is an absolutely beautiful book, its wastelands and hunting grounds popping off the page, and its deceptively cartoonish characters perfectly expressing every nuance of exasperation, resentment, rage or love. The plot and the script...eh. Kaya is a tough kid with a cyborg arm, sworn to protect her half-brother after his home was destroyed by occupying robot forces. Supposedly he should be developing humanity-saving magic powers at some point, but in the meantime he's a whining annoyance – classic prophecy brat. Albeit one given to convenient glimmers of self-awareness whenever the reader starts longing a little too hard for Kaya to drop-kick him into the maw of the nearest beastie. She's in love with a lizard-kid, and vice versa, but he has his own problems – he's promised to another, and his cousin is very loud about how they should drop all this allying with other races soppiness, even if in private he's a hopeless hunter who needs Kaya to cover for him. Every development of the plot takes exactly the direction you expect, the dialogue does what it needs to and not a mite more – but my goodness the book looks beautiful while it all unfurls. Although, for saying this is set in a world with no modern roads that we see, the chapter break art looks way too much like the cover of the Magnetic Fields' The Charm Of The Highway Strip.
(Edelweiss ARC)
(Edelweiss ARC)
February 25, 2023
This gets a very solid 3.5 stars from me. I love the art and general design of the world Craig is developing, and would probably be happy to continue reading even if that was all there was to the series. But the story he’s setting up is also interesting, even if it is pretty thin right now. The ideas and teases he gives us for where the story might go are great, so I’m willing to be patient with the slower pacing and choppy characterizations of this introductory outing. I do want to see the storytelling kick into higher gear in the next story arc, though.
March 31, 2023
3.5 Stars.
Review submitted to Diamond Bookshelf for potential professional publication.
Review submitted to Diamond Bookshelf for potential professional publication.
November 3, 2023
I really like the world that was built here and the art in this one goes perfectly with it. I’d heard great things about this one and I really had high expectations for this one. I think this fell a little short of my expectations because I didn’t think the motivation for Kaya’s mission was really all there, aside from the loyalty she felt for her uncle. On the fence about continuing this one with future volumes.
March 8, 2025
The art is charming, but this sort of post-apocalyptic fantasy has been done so often in recent years that more dimensional characters or a more interesting story would be direly needed.
July 30, 2025
C'est trop biiiiiiien ! je veux le tome 2 TOUT DE SUITE
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September 27, 20256.75/10
February 14, 2026
This art is banging
May 17, 2023
This arc seems to have the same emotional arc as Robin Hobb's books to me. Mildly interesting at first, but it really picks up toward the end.
January 17, 2026
A solid quest narrative in a "Kamandi" kind of way, with barren wastelands and talking animals and robot overlords causing trouble for humanity.
If you've read in the genre, you'll likely find the storytelling here pretty familiar, although writer Wes Craig adds some nice wrinkles with the creatures and alliances. His art, with colors by Jason Wordie, is the real standout, though, using expressive faces and blocks of color to enhance the landscape and storytelling.
Our namesake heroine is the "strong and silent" type, which can feel withholding from a narrative standpoint. Her magical arm is also a trump card for most of the situations the crew finds themselves in, which can rob the story of suspense. But it's engaging and skillfully told, particularly for young-adult readers.
If you've read in the genre, you'll likely find the storytelling here pretty familiar, although writer Wes Craig adds some nice wrinkles with the creatures and alliances. His art, with colors by Jason Wordie, is the real standout, though, using expressive faces and blocks of color to enhance the landscape and storytelling.
Our namesake heroine is the "strong and silent" type, which can feel withholding from a narrative standpoint. Her magical arm is also a trump card for most of the situations the crew finds themselves in, which can rob the story of suspense. But it's engaging and skillfully told, particularly for young-adult readers.
February 6, 2024
After their village and civilization is destroyed, Kaya is tasked by her dying uncle to take her half-brother, Jin, across the world to Monk Islands. There, he will be safe and be able to communicate with the gods and gain his promised powers. Once he comes into his own, he will be powerful enough to destroy the evil Atrian Empire and restore humanity to glory. But along the way, Kaya reunites with a childhood friend and supposed betrothed, Seth of the Lizard Riders. They’ve been tasked with killing a fierce beast, the Magron, and could use Kaya’s strength and magical arm. Jin despises the detour, but the money could bring them much needed supplies, as long as they survive the fight and aren't betrayed along the way.
Craig plops us down literally in the middle of the action as Kaya and Jin are being attacked by Atrians, but he provides enough information in flashbacks and snippets for readers to get a good sense of the world we’re in. The entire story is pretty fast-paced, so there’s not much time to question what’s happening — you just have to go along for the ride and trust that it’ll all fit together in the end. There is quite the suspension of disbelief in that Kaya's betrothed is a anthropomorphized lizard, and that somehow, these societies of bronze-aged humanoids and animals can come together to stave off advanced artificial intelligence. The cliffhanger on this one is fairly brutal, so readers who enjoy this first volume will be eagerly anticipating the second coming out in fall of 2023.
There is some violence and a bit of blood on the page, but otherwise, this volume would be fine for middle and high school readers.
Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
Craig plops us down literally in the middle of the action as Kaya and Jin are being attacked by Atrians, but he provides enough information in flashbacks and snippets for readers to get a good sense of the world we’re in. The entire story is pretty fast-paced, so there’s not much time to question what’s happening — you just have to go along for the ride and trust that it’ll all fit together in the end. There is quite the suspension of disbelief in that Kaya's betrothed is a anthropomorphized lizard, and that somehow, these societies of bronze-aged humanoids and animals can come together to stave off advanced artificial intelligence. The cliffhanger on this one is fairly brutal, so readers who enjoy this first volume will be eagerly anticipating the second coming out in fall of 2023.
There is some violence and a bit of blood on the page, but otherwise, this volume would be fine for middle and high school readers.
Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
March 13, 2025
I pretty much adored this! We talked about it on Saturday for the graphic novel club, and it’s pretty much a good comparison to Avatar so you might enjoy this if you’re an Avatar fan! Kaya vol.1 is the start of Kaya taking her little brother on a journey to somewhere safe, as he’s possibly the chosen one form a prophecy after their home is destroyed. It’s fun, I love the lizard riders and the art is great too. I am definitely going to be grabbing vol. 2!
September 3, 2023
Visually interesting, but the story didn't hit for me. I didn't like any of the characters, and since their journeys are basically personal ones, the story didn't connect for me, either.
March 17, 2023
This, billed as a prologue and the first four parts of the story, concerns Kaya and her half-brother. She's a hunter/warrior with a weaponised artificial right arm, he's a prince of a civilisation that has been badly hit by enemy robot beings. She's taken the oath-based task to heart of taking him to safety, whatever their differences. Across a desert land peopled by critters who vary from the typical vultures to the atypical talking, walking lizard people, we watch their journey progress.
And it's a quick progression – this has a snap to it that a low word-count and a clarity of narrative both can bring to things. It has a handy way to world-build – the landscape peppered with buried statuesque ruins showing the past, talk of oppressed people all over the place at the hands of the robots the present, and the kid, Jin, obsessed with gaining transformative powers worthy of his status in the future. But it's not all that in the finish. This is clearly the start of a lengthy story, and so the issue of a monster that needs defeating just seems what it is, a diversion, a padding, a way to stop the MCs getting along their intended path. Yes there is some soapy issue about a promise and a romance, but lizardy characters are proven to be not easy enough to tell apart, and it gets to be a bit too wishy-washy. I wouldn't object to returning to this world at all, but whereas I can happily mark some Book Ones up a touch on behalf of the promise they yield, this stays too close to a three stars far too much for me to show that much enthusiasm. Intrigue yes, enthusiasm not so much.
And it's a quick progression – this has a snap to it that a low word-count and a clarity of narrative both can bring to things. It has a handy way to world-build – the landscape peppered with buried statuesque ruins showing the past, talk of oppressed people all over the place at the hands of the robots the present, and the kid, Jin, obsessed with gaining transformative powers worthy of his status in the future. But it's not all that in the finish. This is clearly the start of a lengthy story, and so the issue of a monster that needs defeating just seems what it is, a diversion, a padding, a way to stop the MCs getting along their intended path. Yes there is some soapy issue about a promise and a romance, but lizardy characters are proven to be not easy enough to tell apart, and it gets to be a bit too wishy-washy. I wouldn't object to returning to this world at all, but whereas I can happily mark some Book Ones up a touch on behalf of the promise they yield, this stays too close to a three stars far too much for me to show that much enthusiasm. Intrigue yes, enthusiasm not so much.
June 16, 2023
After an all-powerful empire destroys their home, Kaya, a young girl with a magical arm, embarks on a journey to take her younger brother Jin, the foretold Golden One who would overthrow their kingdom, to a remote safe haven. On their voyage, Kaya and Jin encounter a number of challenges.
I loved the cover of this comic and was excited to jump into this fantasy world. The artwork and coloring are truly stunning, and the story had me hooked from the start. However, I have mixed feelings about the writing, particularly in regard to the protagonist in this arc.
While I understand that Jin can be a brat, I found that Kaya's character could have been better developed by the writer. I am hopeful that the next arc will shed some light on Kaya's lack of belief in magic especially for a girl who has a magical arm. Overall, I would definitely recommend giving Kaya a chance, as it boasts unique characters and a beautifully crafted world.
I loved the cover of this comic and was excited to jump into this fantasy world. The artwork and coloring are truly stunning, and the story had me hooked from the start. However, I have mixed feelings about the writing, particularly in regard to the protagonist in this arc.
While I understand that Jin can be a brat, I found that Kaya's character could have been better developed by the writer. I am hopeful that the next arc will shed some light on Kaya's lack of belief in magic especially for a girl who has a magical arm. Overall, I would definitely recommend giving Kaya a chance, as it boasts unique characters and a beautifully crafted world.
June 7, 2023
Wes Craig's solo venture has exactly what I expected. Fantastic artwork contained within his clean panel layouts that lands all the action sequences perfectly. The colors by Jason Wordie are also remarkable and really add to the gorgeous page compositions found throughout the book. But the story is rather generic and the worldbuilding is too derivative and unoriginal. The story follows Kaya, a young woman with a metal arm who is tasked with escorting her younger brother to safety through a highly fantastical world filled with monstrous entities. The entirety of this volume is pretty much a standard fare action adventure story that peppers in a few heartfelt moments between the siblings.
Truly the main reason to give Kaya a shot is for Craig's artwork who basically takes the opportunity to draw some pretty gorgeous fantastical landscapes filled with strange entities. I can only imagine that Kaya has a metal arm because Craig wanted to draw a character with a cool looking arm.
Truly the main reason to give Kaya a shot is for Craig's artwork who basically takes the opportunity to draw some pretty gorgeous fantastical landscapes filled with strange entities. I can only imagine that Kaya has a metal arm because Craig wanted to draw a character with a cool looking arm.
October 17, 2023
***dinsdag 17 oktober 2023***
⭐2.5 (rounded down) - meh
I started reading this because I like the name Kaya. That and the colours on the front.
My reading experience was lukewarm. I get why Kaya was grumpy and Jin a bit whiny but I was missing some more exploration of their sibling bond. The 'betrayal' just didn't felt like a big deal even despite their very stressful lives. Also a this early in the story? Feels out of place to me. First establish the bond between the siblings and then bring in outside characters that threaten that bond!
The colours were gorgeous though. The movement of the characters and facial expressions felt a bit flat (I think that's the word) to me.
In the end I feel like the story is very forgettable so I don't think I will pick up the second volume.
⭐2.5 (rounded down) - meh
I started reading this because I like the name Kaya. That and the colours on the front.
My reading experience was lukewarm. I get why Kaya was grumpy and Jin a bit whiny but I was missing some more exploration of their sibling bond. The 'betrayal' just didn't felt like a big deal even despite their very stressful lives. Also a this early in the story? Feels out of place to me. First establish the bond between the siblings and then bring in outside characters that threaten that bond!
The colours were gorgeous though. The movement of the characters and facial expressions felt a bit flat (I think that's the word) to me.
In the end I feel like the story is very forgettable so I don't think I will pick up the second volume.
May 2, 2026
Truly Incredible. The fantasy world being built is fully realized and feels unique. The mystery behind Kaya's arm, Jins potential magic, and the monsters at the end kidnaping Jin calling him the golden one.
I am interested in the politics happening in the world Between the humans, the lizard-people, the gorons, and the Atrians.
I liked Zothans arc in the story. Giving up his skin and titles to take on the name and responsibilities of his dead friend, a friend who saved him and who he failed to save.
The art in this is captivating. I absolutely adored all the art in this book. The way in which sometimes it would zoom out for an establishing shot or for an atmospheric panel during the action. Also the colors of Zothan and Seth.
I am interested to see if Seth stays in his marriage with the princess. What has happened to Jin and Kaya.
I am interested in the politics happening in the world Between the humans, the lizard-people, the gorons, and the Atrians.
I liked Zothans arc in the story. Giving up his skin and titles to take on the name and responsibilities of his dead friend, a friend who saved him and who he failed to save.
The art in this is captivating. I absolutely adored all the art in this book. The way in which sometimes it would zoom out for an establishing shot or for an atmospheric panel during the action. Also the colors of Zothan and Seth.
I am interested to see if Seth stays in his marriage with the princess. What has happened to Jin and Kaya.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2023
I really enjoyed the scenery art and colors in this book. I had a lot of questions about the prophecy that centers around Jin, which I hope will be answered in the coming issues.
I feel like a lot of fantasy I've read has internal rules for its universe that the characters break within the story. In this world, the rules are unclear from the beginning. Jin believes in the prophecy while Kaya thinks it nonsense, and the reader is going with them on a journey to discover what's real.
I did lose track of which lizard character was who, so one subplot got a little messy in my mind. This was likely my own fault and not the fault of the art.
I plan to continue with this series as it releases in volumes.
I feel like a lot of fantasy I've read has internal rules for its universe that the characters break within the story. In this world, the rules are unclear from the beginning. Jin believes in the prophecy while Kaya thinks it nonsense, and the reader is going with them on a journey to discover what's real.
I did lose track of which lizard character was who, so one subplot got a little messy in my mind. This was likely my own fault and not the fault of the art.
I plan to continue with this series as it releases in volumes.
November 17, 2025
Kaya begins, to great dramatic effect, after a cataclysm, which leaves young Jin in the care of his fierce older sister. And for all the hunting and questing and monsters and lizard people, the heart of the series is their relationship. Craig handles it beautifully, taking a light touch with Jin’s retrospective narration (probably wise since it’s maybe a little too reminiscent of Saga) and bringing the nuances of their tenuous bond to life with illustrations of their expressive faces.
52 Book Club’s 2023 Reading Challenge (unbound to year)
20. A book about siblings.
52 Book Club’s 2023 Reading Challenge (unbound to year)
20. A book about siblings.
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