Orchid, Volume 1

Orchid, Volume 1 (Orchid #1)

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3.74 of 5 stars 3.74  ·  rating details  ·  91 ratings  ·  32 reviews
When the seas rose, genetic codes were smashed. Human settlements are ringed by a dense wilderness from which ferocious new animal species prey on the helpless. The high ground belongs to the rich and powerful that overlook swampland shantytowns from their fortress-like cities. Iron-fisted rule ensures order and allows the wealthy to harvest the poor as slaves. Delve into...more
Paperback, 114 pages
Published July 11th 2012 by Dark Horse (first published October 12th 2011)
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Lauren (Northern Plunder)
Review was originally posted at Northern Plunder.

Review: I was left a little speechless. This book really made an impression on me, I think it really helps that the back story to every character and to the world is given completely which meant you felt connected and worried for those fighting for their survival, worried for those living on the edge of civilisation praying that the very wild beast stay right away and despising those in power for doing nothing but being in power for all the wrong...more
Nicola
Reason for Reading: On impulse actually. I've just re-read the publisher's summary and I think that last paragraph was missing from what I first read as "teenage" prostitute does not appeal to me at all. However, for some reason, this called to me.

I am so glad I read this, rather unusual for me, graphic novel. Very violent, quite graphic in s*xuality, language and plain brutal images. The publisher recommends age 14+. I'm age 40+ and was disturbed by some images; my recommended age is 18+. So I...more
Diayll
Aug 31, 2012 Diayll rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Dystopian Fans, Fans of dark fantasies
Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 4 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Me




Celebrated musician Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) has created a larger-than-life post-apocalyptic graphic novel about disaster, revolution, and hair-raising monsters. Orchid, Vol. 1 is a grandiose adventure of disturbingly epic proportions. It’s not for the faint of heart, nor is it for those of you who don’t want to be sucker punched by a reluctant hero, a feisty (prostitute) fe...more
Eric Piotrowski
When I first heard Tom Morello discuss this project on Aisha Tyler's Girl on Guy podcast, I was very excited. Morello is obviously a long-distance runner for truth and justice; his take on the heroic-struggle comic intrigued me to no end.

What shines most here is what he focuses on most urgently: The dynamic of class and the political recognizance of the post-apocalyptic scenario. Resource conglomerates, rising ocean levels, and concentrations of individual power into warlord camps are features t...more
Trekscribbler
ORCHID: An Epic Look At The Ultimate Dystopian Future

Books and films about the fall of society have always held a particular fascination for most folks. We never much care for what causes the fall – be it Biblical prophecy, nuclear annihilation, plagues, the rise of Teletubbies, etc. – because, in the end, it’s really all about just that: the end. The ultimate end. I’ve often likened it to that curious fascination we seem to have with automobile accidents. Given the chance, sure, we’ll all slow...more
Ginny Lurcock
So it’s probably not a big secret that post-apocalyptic stories flip my switch. Same with comics. So you’re probably wondering how I made it this long without knowing about “Orchid”. And really, I wish I had some kind of an answer for you… since now I’m going to have to scurry about tracking down all single issues. Which is just a hassle.

“Orchid,” written by Tom Morello (yes that Tom Morello) and brought to life on the page by Dan Jackson and Scott Hepburn is the story of a future gone tragicall...more
Bry
Orchid is the story of a girl, who is a whore, and is trying to care for her family at a time when the world has been flooded, evolution has created terrible monsters, and humanity is no longer the top of the food chain. Orchid is fine with her place in the world, she accepts it, and she knows her role, but she wants more from life for her younger brother.

All of that goes to hell in a handbasket though the second Simon, a revolutionary fighting against a man who enslave other humans and is truly...more
the golden witch.
I've always been a fan of Rage Against the Machine. So when I heard their guitarist, Tom Morello, was putting out a comic, I was intrigued. The art on the cover looked gorgeous (I'm a sucker for pretty covers. There, I said it.), so I decided to dive in. And I'm glad I did. Even though there's a bit of a slow start to it, "Orchid" is a great dystopian story of the human race being forced back to its beginnings after a major global warming event nearly wipes it out. Warning: this one is DEFINITEL...more
Elia
The polar ice caps melted centuries ago and most of the arth's land masses were wallowed by the sea. What was left of the world's human population survived by living on "cannibal barges," where brutal rapes and murders became the status-quo. Now, years later, there is dry land again, but it is populated by horrifying mutant animals that can't be tamed and kill anything they can get their claws on.
This is Orchid's reality. A teenage prostitute in one of this new world's cities she is the sole pro...more
Rae M.
The artwork in this is stunning. A lot of the "main character" designs I may not be fond of (Simon for example) but it kind of grows on me. Orchid has a perfectly fine character design, same with Opal, but for me the stunning art lays in the background. The people in the background and the landscapes, plus the monsters. The monsters are beautifully grotesque. I love it.

I love the setting. I'm always a sucker for a good dystopia. I don't find it "good" as in "realistic" so to say, but I find it g...more
Angela
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and got through it relatively quickly considering I had to read it on a computer screen.

I am a massive fan of dystopian literature and post-apocalyptic scenarios and this one did not fail to deliver in the slightest. I enjoyed Morello's vision and the artwork was beautifully done.

You do need a certain suspension of disbelief whilst reading this; the mutated animals are not completely explained but they were incredibly fun to read about, nor is it fully explaine...more
Courtney
More reviews at Rondo of a Possible World: YA Book Reviews

I'm all for dystopian graphic novels and Orchid was a pretty interesting one. Though the artwork was one to get used you, the worldbuilding really did the story justice. I loved the raw nature of this and the artwork did help bring that nature out. Nothing dulled down or censored so those who get queasy, this story will really send your stomach through a loop.

The air of the characters really did help me enjoy the story by Morello. I jus...more
Adam Luptak
Orchid Volume 1's greatest strength is its world-building. Much of the first 3 issues are spent describing the history of the post-apocalyptic world and it's power structures. Thus far, the world - and the dangerous mutated creatures that inhabit it - are more interesting than the central characters and their quest to overthrow the tyranny of the strong who hold power. I hope that the characters will become more interesting in the next volume, particularly the titular character, the former prost...more
Kristin
How could I not like this? Female lead, check. A non-hero hero, check. Future setting of a post apocalyptic dystopia, check. Falls short of 5 stars because although good, it is not perfect. I need to know more about Orchid's past. Barrabas is my favorite character so far but maybe only because he has the best back story so far. I am excited for future volumes when Orchid hopefully takes center stage and breathes new life into the rebellion.
Rebecca Rogers
The best part about this graphic novel? The creatures. Hands down. They were scary and original.

The second best part about this graphic novel? The storyline. Great characters. Some funny. Some strong-willed. Some power-hungry. But all were unique and stood alone.

Can't wait to see Orchid kick some ass in the second volume!

**ARC courtesy of publisher via NetGalley
Crystal
Visually beautiful, daringly violent, and ridiculously fast paced. The writing is alright, so far. I think I'll have to judge the writing better after issue #2 (definitely buying it), when the author might seem less eager to set up the story and win an audience as a brand spanking new comics writer. It's in the postapocalypse genre with hints of Margaret Atwood and Octavia Butler, and, I'd say, some hints that it might also take a bit of influence from steam punk. We shall see. For a first issue...more
Angela
I am happy to start reading this series by Tom Morello. I enjoy the dynamics of the story, the art is beautiful, and the understanding of both class struggle and enviormental degradation are a great component of this dystopic comic.
Jeffrey
M.I.T.N.G reviews Orchid by Tom Morello
http://mediocrityisthenewgenius.com/2...
Ashley
So far so good :) <3 Graphics are fucking awesome, so glad I bought it.


Finished...pretty damn good, it leaves ya hanging tho & the second vol. doesnt come out until Dec. 2012
Theresa
Pretty amazing. Killer artwork, interesting characters, intriguing story. More impressed with the writing than I expected.
Trevor
Yep, the guitarist wrote a graphic novel. And it's good.
Anzu The Great Destroyer
Review to come.

ARC courtesy of Dark Horse Comics via NetGalley
Chad Saunders
A great conclusion to this imaginative series. The official trade paperback won't be out until July, but you can download the entire series digitally at darkhorse. The battle between Wolfe and Orchid comes to its conclusion with a surprising twist. The last pages makes me think that the story might not be completely over.
Michelle
This graphic novel, written by Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine fame) was beautifully illustrated by Scott Hepburn and Dan Jackson.
I received an advance reader's copy of this book from netgalley.
Though the preview I received was short, I could tell that this will be a great series that I cannot wait to read more of.
Jon
Not a bad novice effort. Enjoyable, but did suffer from the same "exposition load" that can plague SF.
Olga
I've never been a Comic Book reader...but I'm a long-time fan of Tom Morello. Plan to sit down and re-read with the next four issues to get a better feel for it.
Natasha
May 13, 2013 Natasha marked it as to-read
Joyce
May 06, 2013 Joyce marked it as to-read
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