ICE CANYON MONSTER #1, by Blood Moon Comics on 2/14/24, imagines what happens when a Shaman chooses to protect his land by summoning a deadly sea monster.
The Details
- Written by: Keith Rommel
- Art by: Jonnuel Ortega
- Colors by: Maury Tanaka
- Letters by: Jonnuel Ortega
- Cover art by: Jonnuel Ortega
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: February 14, 2024
Is ICE CANYON MONSTER #1 Good?
ICE CANYON MONSTER #1 kicks off with a desperate shaman in Greenland. Witnessing the devastating impact of industrial activity on his homeland, he summons a colossal, squid-like beast from the depths to safeguard his precious ice.
Meanwhile, a group of fishermen become unwitting pawns in this environmental clash when their nets snag the monster’s wrath. One of them, Fina, loses a leg in the encounter and becomes the sole witness to the creature’s true nature. But will his friends believe his wild tales, or will the monster unleash its fury on the unsuspecting cargo ship spewing pollution across the pristine waters?
What’s great about ICE CANYON MONSTER #1?
The core concept of “Ice Canyon Monster” is undeniably intriguing. An environmentally conscious twist on the protector-creature trope? We dig it! The shaman’s desperation to shield his home from industrial destruction resonates, making his actions, if extreme, understandable. The story unfolds primarily through Fina’s struggle to convince his friends of the monstrous truth, adding a layer of personal drama to the larger environmental conflict. This dynamic between belief and disbelief promises an interesting path forward.
What’ We Didn’t Like’s not so great about ICE CANYON MONSTER #1?
While the narrative flows decently, the clunky narration sticks out like a sore thumb. The phrasing and word choices feel unnatural, disrupting the overall reading experience. While dialogue generally fares better, the narration needs polishing to truly shine. Additionally, the monster design, despite its imposing size and sharp teeth, falls short. Its large, human-like eyes veer into cartoonish territory, clashing with the story’s serious tone. This mismatch between design and atmosphere weakens the monster’s impact.
Art Quality
The artwork does a decent job overall. The environments, particularly the icy landscapes, are well-depicted, conveying the harsh beauty of Greenland. However, the monster, as mentioned earlier, suffers from its design choices. While the individual elements like tentacles and teeth are well-drawn, the overall composition lacks the gravitas expected from a creature responsible for such devastation.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump to the Final Thoughts and Score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
ICE CANYON MONSTER #1 possesses a solid foundation. The environmental message is timely, the character dynamics hold potential, and the story unfolds at a steady pace. However, the clunky narration and the cartoonish monster design hinder the overall experience. Ultimately, it’s a mixed bag – good ideas held back by execution flaws.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.