The Wormworld Saga Volume Two: The Shelter of Hope (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Lion Forge and Diamond Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Review of Volume One
Review of Free Comic Book Day Issue

Title: The Wormworld Saga Volume Two: The Shelter of Hope
Author: Daniel Lieske
Upcoming Release Date: October 30, 2018

Synopsis: Jonas' fantastic journey leads him to the sunken city of Ankal Aasha where the mysterious master Janaka Jiiva introduces him to the ancient legends of the Wormworld. Jonas learns that he himself plays an important role in them and that the fate of the Wormworld lies in his hands. Together with Raya, Jonas sets out on an adventurous quest on the River of Life which leads our heroes straight towards the mystic Worm Mountain.

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Review: The Wormworld Saga is a beautifully drawn comic book series following a young boy exploring a new, fantastical world. This second volume includes the third and fourth chapter as well as the Free Comic Book Day issue. I wish the story arcs in these volumes were more complete stories. This is the second volume of the saga and I still feel like not much has happened. There's a lot of extensive worldbuilding in this volume that feels like info dumping. 

The Chosen One trope is used in this story. So far, there hasn't been a fresh take on this trope. I'm hoping the saga shows a new and interesting take as it continues.

I give this second volume a 2.5/5. The art is wonderful, but the story is lacking.    


--PAUL

The Wormworld Saga: The Journey Begins (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Lion Forge via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: The Wormworld Saga: The Journey Begins
Creator: Daniel Lieske 
Upcoming Release Date: June 5, 2018

Synopsis: Are you ready to enter the Wormworld?

Jonas is a dreamer. During his summer holidays he stays at his Grandmas house on the countryside. In the attic he discovers a strange painting, which turns out to be an entrance to the mysterious Wormworld. Jonas steps through the picture into the foreign world and loses connection to his home right at that moment. Completely left on his own, he has to face the biggest adventure of his young life... 

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Review: A child finds a portal to another world over summer vacation when visiting a relative. Yes, this is cliche. But who doesn't love a good portal story? There were many aspects of this story that reminded me of a point-and-click adventure game from the 90s. The artwork is beautiful, showing all the corners of this lush world. 

This first volume is barely even a start to the story. I wish there would have been more included. The worldbuilding is immense. There are monsters and different types of crystals. All with great artwork. 

I wasn't aware of the online following this writer and his world had. There's a cool behind-the-scenes look at the creator at the end of the graphic novel. I give this book a 3.5/5. I wouldn't be surprised if this story finds itself in a movie or tv show in the near future.


--PAUL

The Wormworld Saga Free Comic Book Day 2018 - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: The Wormworld Saga Free Comic Book Day 2018
Creator: Daniel Lieske 

Synopsis: Enter the Wormworld, at the very beginning. A mysterious painting. A wooden sword. A hidden world. A time before conflict. Two friends in search of magic and adventure. This is how the saga begins. This exciting all-new prequel to Daniel Lieske's hugely popular webcomic The Wormworld Saga will entice new fans in time for the series' first US print release in May 2018, and tantalize existing readers with hints at secrets yet to be revealed.

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Review: I picked this comic up on Free Comic Book Day this year. I had obtained a review copy of the first volume of The Wormworld Saga so I figured I would see what this comic was about.

This issue is a prequel to the main story of the series. It establishes some of the background behind the paintings used to travel to the different world. It was cool to get some backstory even before I read the first volume.

I give this issue a 4/5. It's pretty simple and short, but a great intro into this lush creative world.


--PAUL