The sheer variety of comics available today, especially
given digital distribution methods such as comics for the Kindle through Amazon
and ComiXology, is staggering. One
graphic novel that takes its art in a non-traditional direction is Archeologists of Shadows, written by
Lara Fuentes with art from Patricio Clarey.
The first volume, The Resistance,
contains the first four chapters of what is clearly a much larger story.
Archeologists of
Shadows follows two characters who could be the reincarnation of the two
deities of the world, or two pawns in a large-scale revolutionary
movement. The government is forcing
everyone to let their bodies be consumed by technology and industrialization,
and while most people are following along, there is a resistance group looking
to bring back the gods of the world to fight against the government-sponsored
dehumanization of humanity. This first
volume establishes a steampunk, techno-nature world where the world hangs in
the balance. The art very much
distinguishes itself from the field, uses a host of techniques to create an
almost abstract, surreal 3D world.
Full of big concepts, it is unfortunate that Archeologists of Shadows does not live
up to its potential. The story isn’t
nearly as engaging as it could be, with the adventure and journey seeming to
lose its appeal quickly. And while the
art is certainly different, it isn’t an art style that will appeal to everyone,
and can lack clarity at critical moments.
The setting is very interesting, and I would have liked to have seen a
better story taking place there.
Archeologists of
Shadows, Vol. 1: The Resistance isn’t a bad book, it just isn’t a great
one. However, for a very low entry
price, curious readers can discover for themselves if this book might be their
cup of tea. For this reviewer, it
wasn’t.
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