MARA #1, from Stuffed Rock Studio on December 4th, 2021, follows a young girl whose peaceful village is attacked by raiders led by an otherworldly warrior. What will the spirits do to ensure the tribe’s survival?
The Details
- Written By: Dylan Goss
- Art By: Rosi Woo
- Colors By: Rosi Woo
- Letters By: Rosi Woo
- Cover Art By: Rosi Woo
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Release Date: December 4, 2021
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Was It Good?
MARA #1 is the latest indie offering from Dylan Goss and Rosi Woo, and we’re happy to share our opinions on this story about a guardian wolf spirit who transforms a young girl into an avatar of revenge after her peaceful fishing village is brutally attacked by raiders.
What strikes you immediately is how fast this comic whips by. However, It doesn’t feel rushed or takes shortcuts. The story simply tells what it needs to with very brief moments within roughly four scenes, and it does so effectively.
There’s enough meat to this comic to give it weight, but there’s very little dialog to slow you down. The art communicates volumes with panel composition and small character gestures, so you get the gist of what’s going on without the need for extensive narration or character exposition.
The plot surrounding a village attacked by raiders, and the spirits that (eventually) intervene on their behalf, has a lived-in mythological quality that, again, builds out an entire world quickly yet effectively. You get what Mara’s village is like, how they live, and how they respect their world. You understand the supernatural forces at play and their motivations.
At the risk of sounding repetitive, it’s shocking how much world-building, narrative, and character development you get in a scant 21 pages.
Much of the heavy lifting for the success of this comic comes down to the art. This issue is a stellar example of letting the artwork tell the story without having to explain what’s going on. The character designs are beautiful, the coloring is exquisite, and the action is brutally violent when it needs to be.
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 Mara and her father on their way home from a fishing trip when her father reminds her to leave an offering for their guardian wolf spirit, Amaruq. Immediately, you pick up that Mara’s tribe is peaceful and they respect the spirits that guide them.
Later, Mara’s family is preparing for supper when they hear an alarm that attackers, the Txiv, are approaching. Mar is told to hide while her father joins the men outside to defend the village. When the fighting begins, the forces are evenly matched until a lone warrior steps forward from among the Txiv. Amaruq and the bear spirit, Angakkuq, observer the battle neutrally when they see the Txiv warrior is unnatural. The spirits argue over what to do as the unnatural warrior begins wiping out Mara’s tribe.
We conclude the issue with decimation, survival, and revenge.
Final Thoughts
MARA #1 is one of the best-looking, efficiently-written, and thoroughly-engaging indie comics we’ve received in a while. The art looks great and does a stupendous job communicating the story effectively through the visuals. The dialog adds to the story only when it needs, and the ending hooks you with high curiosity to want to know what happens next.
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