FICTIONAUTS #1, from Red 5 Comics on February 16th, 2022, begins a meta tale of adventurers tasked with policing the fictional world linked to the subconscious of humanity.
The Details
- Written By: Mauro Mantella
- Art By: Leandro Rizzo
- Colors By: Marcelo Blanco
- Letters By: Altercomics Studio
- Cover Art By: Alvaro Papagiani
- Cover Price: $3.95
- Release Date: February 16, 2022
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Was It Good?
FICTIONAUTS #1 is a challenging comic to wrap your brain around. The basic premise centers around fiction manifesting into its own reality tied to the collective unconscious of humanity. As long as the fictional stories play out as written, all is right with the world. When the stories deviate, the disruption creates destructive ripples that echo throughout the fictional world and our own. As more fiction is created, the fictional world becomes increasingly crowded, causing conflicts to emerge. Consequently, a special group of adventurers, Fictionauts, travel throughout the fictional world to keep stories in check.
How’s that for a simple story? On the one hand, this comic deserves high praise for taking a meta-heavy concept and stretching the boundaries of imagination. Readers are watching a Fictionaut intervention of Moby Dick in one scene then strolling down the sidewalk with Rod Serling while discussing the very real embodiment of The Twilight Zone the next. If you’re looking for a story that’s out of the ordinary and isn’t the same old, same old, you’ll get plenty of that here.
That said, the positive can be a negative depending on your point of view. The creators tend to get very meta, almost to the point of esoteric confusion. Technical jargon comes and goes. Distorted realities flow in and out of the scene. It can all be a bit much, and the story keeps moving along at a brisk pace so you don’t get much time or information to absorb what’s happening.
The comic is further complicated by what (presumably) is a non-English script translated into English using an imperfect translation. Turns of phrases and manners of speaking sound almost like English, but there are a couple of spots where it sounds like a poor translation and the meaning of what’s being said is lost. It comes across as slightly broken English, so when the subject and topics are already very esoteric, imprecise language makes it harder to understand.
Language aside, the art is excellent in a quirky, stylized way. The character details and designs have a European tone with a Moebius-like penchant for detail in a Flash Gordon-styled serial. How’s that for a mix of visuals? In short, it’s unlike anything you’ll see on the market right now, and probably worth the cover price alone.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a reenactment of the climax from Moby Dick where Captain Ahab throws his harpoon to attempt a killing blow. Unfortunately, Ahab is supposed to fail in the book when it looks like he may now succeed. Suddenly, the entire scene freezes as the Fictionauts arrive to adjust the scene to stick to a faithful ending.
we’re then introduced to the individual members of the Fictionauts and their colorful origins as protectors of the fiction realm that underpins our reality. In addition to keeping reality in balance, the Fictionauts are a sort of celebrity team due to their adventures, making friends and fans across the universe.
Meanwhile, a failed scientist laments he’s never been able to achieve super villain status with his creations. We conclude the issue with the Fictionauts hearing whispers of an unusual threat and the failed scientist receiving a surprise visitor with a potential offer.
Final Thoughts
FICTIONAUTS #1 is a unique and esoteric concept about a team of heroes who protect our reality from an increasingly crowded fictional reality. The premise is certainly creative, but admittedly, it sometimes gets too complicated to comprehend. The art makes up for some of the complications with arresting visuals that mix genres like nothing you’ve seen before.
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