Isola #7 // Review
The story of Rook and Olwyn continue as the world proceeds to ever expand around the duo. Reading almost like a high production animation layout, this series looks distinctly different from everything else on the market. Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl, and M. Sassy K. continue to deliver a title unseen elsewhere as they grow not only the massive world but a relationship between two characters who can’t speak to one another. This second volume of the series takes its time to further develop the characters and the world they live in, with each new issue taking a more personal look into their lives as their mission of finding Isola continues.
As Rook and Olwyn continue their journey towards Isola, they come across a village within a quarry. After an accident occurs and a jar is broken by the tiger Olwyn, the two are saved from the situation and welcomed to stay the night by an onlooker. As suspicions arise over Olwyn’s pure form, the two are asked to leave for fear of Dark Magic falling over their community. Before making their exit an intruder is found, a human-animal hybrid experiment by the hands of Olwyn’s brother. As the creature is left hanging to die, the two must cut their losses and leave the town before causing even more trouble.
Karl Kerschl and M. Sassy K. continue to bring this world to life and even more grandiose with every new issue. The world building stands as the crowning achievement of this series, and it’s creators. The artwork of this duo brings about a near high animation quality that stands unmatched anywhere else. Albeit on bi-monthly release date this series continues to be worth the wait and a pleasant surprise each time it arrives.
Setting itself apart from the last volume of the series, this volume focuses on more on establishing the larger world while telling smaller stories within them and growing the relationship of these two characters. Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl work together spectacularly to create an organic and believable relationship. As they steer the focus of the series back, taking readers on a journey across the blossoming world, the overall mission of reaching Isola is more of an afterthought than a constant reminder. It’s more about the adventure than the actual goal, and this volume is taking its time to feel itself out and allow the creators to bring about a vibrant and memorable story.
Isola looks like no other book on the market as this trio bring about something extraordinary with this series. From the grand landscapes to the heartfelt and budding relationship between Rook and Olwyn, this series delivers the love and care to show what a creator-owned comic can accomplish. By far the selling point of the series is easily the spectacular artwork, luckily it is accompanied by an equally heartwarming as well as a heart-wrenching tale to display the weight this series is capable of.
Grade: A+
