A Garden of Spheres I

A Garden of Spheres #0.1-0.2

by Linnea Sterte

A collection of semi-episodic sorta-experimental comics previously posted on Patreon in '22. In which a new world is created and an immortal & emotionally stunted entity wanders it in a state of bafflement. part 1 of ??

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Fantasy

98 pages, ebook

First published March 20, 2023

About the author

Linnea Sterte is a Swedish illustrator and comic book author. She gained international notoriety with her graphic novels Stages of Rot (2017) and A Frog in the Fall (2022). The latter book won the 'Prix Révélation' at the Angoulême Festival in 2023.

Reviews

[Stephen Hampshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite artwork, reminiscent of Mœbius at his more ethereal, and an intriguing story in development. Lovely stuff.

[anna b · Rating 5 out of 5]

every Linnea Sterte comic is the best comic I've ever read

[Henry Christian-Slane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now my favourite comic/ graphic novel that I own. Can’t recommend enough.

[Gus Moystad · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Sterte is an absolutely stunning artist, Moebius reborn. However, like Moebius, at least in this book, it’s like 90% vibes and the art that’s carrying the book for me. I like her vibes a little better than Moebius even, but I would like to be engaged in plot, or dialogue, or emotional investment. I’d like the writing of a comic to deepen the value of the visuals, but this is all a bit floaty. The last vignette, ‘Death Scene,’ about two deserters from opposite sides of a battle travelling together is endearing, but does very little with the ingredients. Feels like the author could’ve given the reader a bit more to chew on. I will continue reading the coming chapters to soak up that beeeaaautiful draughtsmanship but I hope she gives a little more storytelling and/or writing to deepen the engagement with her art.

[Cookie Dou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linnea Sterte is in a league of her own. I can see how this is the same artist that created “a frog in the fall” - her work is about constructing and exploring different worlds/environments that are like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Unreal art & landscapes, diverse characters, sexy sapphic scenes - I love it alllll

[Nolan Buro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. Read this immediately.

[Bennett Slibeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply transportative and softly magical. A beautiful world rendered with evocative line work and clarity of style. Would recommend.

[Elsa Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

linnea’s art and world building always blow me away and this new book is far from the exception. could read over and over and still notice new details!

[Maurel G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought my copie on the author's itch.io, if anyone wants to read it.

If you read Stages of Rot and loved it and/or if you are a fan of Linnae Sterte or even Sci-fi, please pick this one up as well.

We might need to read it a couple of times to understand all that happens trough the story or even just read it slowly but every drawing is so beautiful to look at, the ones in colours and the ones in b&w, that every seconds is worth their while.

I hope she never gets tired of making comics because I for one, will never get tired of her comics.

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone needs to lock in NOW

[Lasse Koopmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

(stand in until the collected edition is added)
best bit of fantasy i have read in years!

[jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't find the four-chapter volume of this comic on goodreads so writing my review here. I'm slowly becoming a graphic novel and comic enthusiast, and I'm so happy I chanced upon this in our city's comic book store! Sterte's storytelling through her art, worldbuilding, and craft had me locked in the whole book. Her art style reminds me a lot of art nouveau with intricate spiraling patterns and use of nature themes that you can't help but be enchanted by. Although a little confusing in the earlier bits of the book, it did become clearer what was going on as I kept reading. Maybe it's the way dialogue is kept to a minimum, but I appreciated that the art was allowed to speak for itself for the most part, and any necessary details were generously given at just the right times. Highly recommend for anyone into fantasy and interested in trying something outside of the usual novel! Excited for the rest to come out :)