No Saints Nor Poets Issue #1 Review
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Thrilling Gondola races, terrifying sea monsters, flamboyant trident wielding protagonists, and a fictional world of mythical proportions, the first issue of ‘No Saints Nor Poets’ is a splash of thrills, excitement and fantasy.
Created by Iolanda Zanfardino (story), Elisa Romboli (art), and Ilaria Chiocca (colors), the story is set in a city called Serena, which was nearly wiped out by a catastrophic event known as the “Great Flood.” A towering wall divides the city, with the wealthy and powerful living in a gilded, gated district, while the rest struggle to survive in the flood-ravaged outskirts.
The opening pages introduce protagonist Flynn, a dashing, confident, mischievous con artist, racing through Serena’s waters in his gondola, hoping to make quick money in an illegal tournament. He returns home to Pierre, his work partner, a jaded former priest who prefers to earn their keep through legal means, usually by taking on transport jobs with their gondola. So when a mysterious stranger offers them a well-paying gig to deliver a package, the duo cautiously accept, only to be surprised by what they’re asked to transport.
The artwork in ‘No Saints Nor Poets’ captures the vivacious personality of Flynn with flair in his introductory scenes. Eliza Romboli’s bold, dramatic, clean strokes are perfect for high-octane storytelling, made livelier by Ilaria Chiocca’s spirited coloring through the pages.
In just 25 pages, Iolanda Zanfardino effectively establishes the playful camaraderie between Flynn and Pierre, while promising a colorful cast of characters set to appear in upcoming issues. But are they just work partners, or something more? Their flirtatious banter keeps the intrigue alive.
The climactic moments of the debut issue spotlight the stark class divisions and religious undertones of this new world, culminating in the reveal of a towering mythical deity who looks like he could give Zeus a run for his money.
Rating: 4 on 5.
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