Asphodel #1 Review

Writer: Alex Kane / Artist: Gale Galligan /Nekiya Studios

Asphodel is a sci-fi tale set in space where life and death still hang in the balance, the effects of war still ravaging the world — no, the galaxy — twice over, and the universe holds a greater story on a much grander scale that is introduced here in the first issue. Space and solitude greet readers of this comic and such questions come to mind as: “What does it means to be alive? To be human?” “How would you get home after a lifetime of war and conflict? Does home still exist?”

Our dream team here is one Vic Delany, a veteran of much war and strife found in his spaceship drifting away who is more or less as human as he can be. He’s found by Sedna, not quite human but most certainly alive, intelligent, and tasked with a great responsibility, who goes through great pains to retrieve him, revive him, and give him a new lease on life.

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With all its technologic advances and the bits of jargon here and there, here is weaved a tale that strikes me as so relevant: a man, soldier possibly, very traumatized and just wanting to go home, if, of course, his home still exists.  A character that’s a creation that’s not quite human but human enough where it counts. Human enough to be counted on and to travel with so far. Life after death. The murky and too vague line of what an afterlife can be defined as and what life forms, including humans, will do to adapt and survive — casting off parts of themselves, living without the vital and most important to not be forgotten. It’s a fascinating saga that you can reread immediately after just to soak in the art paired with the engaging plot.

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Asphodel #1 proves to be an ambitious sweeping tale that’s only a tiny bit clunky in its setup and is finely illustrated with a unique art style that easily captivates with its watercolored palate. It’s a solid offering for a first-time comic book writer Alex Kane (who’s paid his dues as a writer, editor, and copyeditor even) and artist Gale Galligan whom I was originally was also unfamiliar with but found her to have under her belt plenty enough experience with comics and webcomics. These two work masterfully as a team to create a space-opera themed comic that’s worth following from its first chapter in. This is a comic I’d recommend and one I’m proud to have helped be printed physically with my pledge for its Kickstarter campaign.

8.5 Home Worlds out of 10

Note: Nothing too graphic here but this comic comes with a 15+ age rating.

Does Asphodel #1 strike your fancy? Purchase it here and let us know what you think!

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  • Carrie McClain is writer, editor and media scholar. Other times she's known as a Starfleet Communications Officer, Comics Auntie, and Golden Saucer Frequenter. Nowadays you can usually find her avoiding Truck-kun and forgetting her magical girl transformation device. She/Her

  • Show Comments

  • jourdy288

    I read this one and really dug it; it’s a fun take on transhumanism!

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