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geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Rise of the Zelphire #1: Of Bark and Sap' with story and art by Karim Friha is a fantasy graphic novel about people with mutant powers and the people who want to stop them.
Sylvan Khelmann became a sort of superpowered person with his proximity to trees. He lives in a city where there are others. One is an octopus, one secretes poison. When a young girl has powers that heal, she becomes a target and Sylvan finds himself with a new set of friends out to rescue her.
I liked this world and these characters. It's an interesting take on the superhero genre. I like the character design and just a whole lot about this idea.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Lion Forge, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Sylvan Khelmann became a sort of superpowered person with his proximity to trees. He lives in a city where there are others. One is an octopus, one secretes poison. When a young girl has powers that heal, she becomes a target and Sylvan finds himself with a new set of friends out to rescue her.
I liked this world and these characters. It's an interesting take on the superhero genre. I like the character design and just a whole lot about this idea.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Lion Forge, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
alandd's review against another edition
4.0
Imagine a creepy,steampunk version of the xmen with slight touches of horror. That's what this comic feels like, but with a more childish art style and simpler tone. I can see a series I will love in the horizon!
stine_reads's review against another edition
4.0
*free copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This was such fun! The story is very entertaining, and the characters are loveable. Would love to read more about these people. To be recommended!
This was such fun! The story is very entertaining, and the characters are loveable. Would love to read more about these people. To be recommended!
barb4ry1's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved it. Consider it a steampunk take on superpowered children and new adults, called Zelphires. Strange and fascinating abilities stem from childhood trauma.
Sylvan Khelmann is a Zelphire. He tries to live a normal life and hide the strange tree-like features that grow on his body. He doesn’t fully understand his abilities, nor does he want to explore them. Soon he pairs with an old adventurer, Professor Werns, who takes him on an expedition that’ll change everything.
The story is tropey and characterization of the bad guys could be better. BUT the art, reader-friendly lettering, great interactions between characters more than make up for this. I devoured this graphic novel yesterday and reread it today. And I’m sure I’ll repeat the process soon.
It’s a joy to read, to feast the eyes on a color palette and clean lines. While not particularly nuanced or deep, it never ceases to entertain and thrill with cool ideas. Marketing pitch is true - Rise of the Zelphire combines a Victorian steampunk, superpowered characters and their coming-of-age arcs with Tim Burton’s sensibilities and vision.
I need the sequel.
ARC through NetGalley
Sylvan Khelmann is a Zelphire. He tries to live a normal life and hide the strange tree-like features that grow on his body. He doesn’t fully understand his abilities, nor does he want to explore them. Soon he pairs with an old adventurer, Professor Werns, who takes him on an expedition that’ll change everything.
The story is tropey and characterization of the bad guys could be better. BUT the art, reader-friendly lettering, great interactions between characters more than make up for this. I devoured this graphic novel yesterday and reread it today. And I’m sure I’ll repeat the process soon.
It’s a joy to read, to feast the eyes on a color palette and clean lines. While not particularly nuanced or deep, it never ceases to entertain and thrill with cool ideas. Marketing pitch is true - Rise of the Zelphire combines a Victorian steampunk, superpowered characters and their coming-of-age arcs with Tim Burton’s sensibilities and vision.
I need the sequel.
ARC through NetGalley
a_kindle_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Title: The Rise of the Zelphire
Author: Karim Friha
Publisher: Diamond Book Distributors
Publishing Date: March 26, 2019
Format: eCopy
Pages: 128
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Steampunk
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
This was an awesome graphic novel! It was a little slow at the beginning since you were thrown into the story. Sometimes I was confused with the scene shifts between the protagonists and the antagonists, but it all came together at the end! This was a unique steampunk take on people with supernatural powers and knowing where your roots are (if you'll pardon the pun). Downside of reading this before the release date is that I have to wait that much longer for the sequel. You better believe I'm picking it up when it comes out!
Author: Karim Friha
Publisher: Diamond Book Distributors
Publishing Date: March 26, 2019
Format: eCopy
Pages: 128
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Steampunk
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
This was an awesome graphic novel! It was a little slow at the beginning since you were thrown into the story. Sometimes I was confused with the scene shifts between the protagonists and the antagonists, but it all came together at the end! This was a unique steampunk take on people with supernatural powers and knowing where your roots are (if you'll pardon the pun). Downside of reading this before the release date is that I have to wait that much longer for the sequel. You better believe I'm picking it up when it comes out!
etienne02's review against another edition
5.0
That was so good!! A series I will certainly continue to read because I want to see where it goes. I find it really original (more in the «power» of those characters then in the «mutants» concept). I like the story, the characters and the illustrations which are a bit «young» in their style without becoming childish. Love it!
destdest's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting with a few dark moments. Aw, I feel so bad for Nethana. She went through a lot :o
I really thought things with the 2nd son was going to turn out differenly. Like, he would get redeemed. I thought the story was building towards it, but, sometimes, life is like that.
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