The era of industrial evolution is a golden time for dreamers who have opened up new horizons. When ideas about technology are turned upside down, when the impossible becomes commonplace, the imagination blossoms in a thirst for further discoveries. And it is about this era that the Star Castle comic will be discussed.
The protagonist of the Star Castle comic book, Serafin, lost his mother after she went in search of Aether, a mysterious matter that is a source of energy of unprecedented power. She succeeded, but for her family she is considered dead. And now the young Serafin and his father Archebald have a clue - a journal in which their precious mother and wife left notes about Ether. Together with him, there is also the opportunity to fly up, behind her. And all this with the help of the King of Bavaria and his dream to see the worlds that lie behind the firmament. Naturally, the villain will interfere with the heroes, and each character can have a skeleton in the closet. Even for someone you don't suspect.
The comic is written in the best traditions of Jules Verne's classic romantic fiction. From the very first pages, the unknown is mixed with the ordinary, which immediately creates this fabulous feeling of miracles that have become a reality with the help of science. Against the backdrop of the main story, along the path of which the heroes assemble their wonderful aircraft, on which they are going to surf the cosmos itself, events on a national scale are unfolding. The authors do not hesitate to talk about the era, its vices, features and with the help of a couple of phrases, a few details and characters convey the whole atmosphere of that time and events. Everything elegantly adds up to the overall picture, naive, banal for some, but so dear to everyone who read stories about journeys to the center of the Earth or who dreamed of diving 20 leagues under water. Adventure and journey into the unknown - that's what this comic gives.
The comic was drawn by a man named Alex Alice. He is also the author of the script. His drawing fills the comic with magic no less than his words. The soft colors and lines, and the cartoony style might evoke some associations with the work of Hayao Miyazaki, which is the best praise. In general, the drawing creates the impression that it is customary in modern language to designate with the word "lamp". The author is especially good at spreads that aim not only to be beautiful, but also that fully work for the narrative, whether it is a drawing of an Etherolet ship or something else.
In Russian, the Star Castle comic book is published by the MIF publishing house. The publishing house has carefully preserved the BD format, so everyone can enjoy the drawing to the fullest. The design of the cover is especially pleasing, the quality of printing and gilding instantly attract the eye to the book and deliver aesthetic pleasure just from the very contemplation of the book on the shelf.
Star Castle is a naive childhood story that captivates from the very first pages, whether you are a child or an adult. The romanticism of an adventure in unseen worlds with the help of an unseen machine in search of not only transcendent miracles, but also people close to the heart catches and makes you want to stay in this world, on the deck of Etheraleta, before which there are no barriers. In a world where family and friends will always come to the rescue, where you can become a Knight of Ether and take an oath of allegiance in a circle of people whose loyalty simply cannot be doubted. In a world where you can fly to the moon in a balloon and find out that Infinity is not the limit. It is stories like these that bring up dreamers who can then change the world.
Review written by Sergey Afoninmy, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of geekcity.ru
