Advanced Review: The Wormworld Saga, Volume 1

Creator: Daniel Lieske / Lion Forge Comics The Journey Begins There is an instant familiarity when you flip through the pages of The Wormworld Saga, Volume 1. I would liken it to either Miyazaki’s Spirited Away or C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, where a child unwittingly finds themselves in a place of magic and mystery, having to discover all sorts of things. Lieske immediately breaks off from the childhood stories of yesterday with a simple question: When you recall the past, can you always distinguish which memories were real events and which were dreams or fantasies? With a simple acknowledgement of the fantastical narrative that’s about to unfold (through the voice of an older protagonist), Lieske begins the world-building of Wormworld. Jonas is your typical young-adult protagonist. He exhibits the traits of a daydreamer with an artistic touch, in that he doesn’t do so well when it comes to academic subjects like math or English. As the school year ends and summer vacation begins, Jonas doesn’t have a clear idea of what’s going to happen when fall comes around. He’s mostly just excited to spend six weeks at his grandmother’s house with his father. Older Jonas’ narration and pensive tone will resonate with older readers as Young Jonas goes through the expected childhood tribulations of waiting for parents, long drives on the highway, and lacking complete autonomy. Lieske’s artwork of the countryside estate that Jonas’ grandmother lives on is instantly recognizable and s…