TALES OF VULCANIA #1, from Scout Comics on 4/19/23, begins an imaginative, steampunk-ish adventure about a thief and assassin who runs afoul of the wrong crime gang.
The Details
- Written by: Marco Daeron Ventura
- Art by: Matteo Leoni
- Colors by: Daniele D’Italia
- Letters by: Marco Daeron Ventura
- Cover art by: Matteo Leoni
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: April 19, 2023
Is It Good?
I like it. I’m not sure where it’s headed just yet, but I like where TALES OF VULCANIA #1 starts, what it does, and where it’s headed. If Marco Daeron Ventura can maintain the intrigue and imagination through the rest of the series, this title might be a winner.
Ventura’s story centers on Sydna, a rogue, thief, and assassin trying to make her way in a world ravaged long ago by a disastrous war that ended with the mother of all weapons of mass destruction – a nuclear strike on a volcano. Ventura successfully develops a unique character in Sydna – a dangerous rogue with likable confidence – and builds out a whole world filled with mythology and legends to keep you engaged as the comic progresses.
But the key is balance. Ventura doesn’t spend too much time world-building or rush too far ahead in Sydna’s adventure without setting up the rules of this new world. You get a finely balanced mix of character work, world-building, and adventure to make this inaugural issue feel textured and meaty. In short, you get a lot of satisfying story for the cover price.
The art is generally good. Matteo Leoni’s character designs are solid, the panel compositions and camera angles keep you visually engaged, and the fight scenes pop. Where the art falls slightly short is in the color palette. D’Italia coloring application is excellent, but the color choices are muted, bland, and washed out. If you scan through the book quickly, nothing stands out because the muted colors bleed together.
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 nervous man sneaking his way through the back alleys of Goya. He’s armed and scared for a good reason. Suddenly, the man is attacked by a hooded figure wielding a sword and pistol. In a flash, the man is dead, and his gold now belongs to Sydna Latokis.
Later, Sydna seeks rest at the home of a fellow miscreant and fellow mutant by the name of Rafrades. The two are not on friendly terms, but Rafrades grants her a place to stay, partly because he doesn’t have a choice. Sydna heads out when the Sun goes down to look for information about a missing person she’s hunted for a long time.
We conclude the issue with an informant who gets more than he deserves, friends looking for payback, and a fall from grace.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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TALES OF VULCANIA #1 is an impressive first issue that strikes a precise balance of character work, world-building, and action, topped with solid albeit muted art. It’s unclear where exactly the story is headed, but I’m on board for now.
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