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Zojaqan #1-5
Zojaqan
A grieving mother wakes in a brutal but fantastic landscape, where the currents of time pull her into the future, lurching forward days, years, and millennia. Her name is Shannon Kind, and her life in our world has vanished without warning. Perhaps she can find peace in her new home. Perhaps she can shape Zojaqan into a better world. But first, she must survive.
From Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, the acclaimed writers of JOY RIDE and GOTHAM CITY GARAGE, with art by award-winning artist Nathan Gooden, ZOJAQAN is a fantasy adventure like nothing you've ready before.
From Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, the acclaimed writers of JOY RIDE and GOTHAM CITY GARAGE, with art by award-winning artist Nathan Gooden, ZOJAQAN is a fantasy adventure like nothing you've ready before.
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 16, 2018
Loved this so much. Review to come.
October 5, 2018
When I saw this was from the same creators as Joyride and Gotham City Garage, I grew excited. Unfortunately, this wasn't as fun as either of those. This is the story of a woman from Earth who has somehow would up on an alien planet. She's skipping through time, influencing an alien race there while experiencing random fragments of her time on Earth. The flashbacks are so disjointed that they don't amount to a whole lot. Nothing is ever explained. The lettering was a dark color on a dark color, straining my eyes to read the vast amounts of exposition. The art is good and well fitted for alien landscapes. Reading this though just left me confused most of the time though.
Received a review copy from Vault Comics and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Received a review copy from Vault Comics and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
July 19, 2018
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
I picked this up because I saw it was from the same guy that did Joyride, but I didn't really enjoy it as much as that title. It's an interesting concept to tie together the loss of Shannon's son with her appearance on a completely different world where she then tries to 'mother' the creatures evolving there. I say 'mothering' them but really she inadvertently turns into a kind of god to them as she tries to help. It was an interesting concept but I feel like the background wasn't explained clearly enough so I found the whole thing to be kind of confusing at times. Honestly it heavily reminds me of the parts in Mike Carey's Lucifer where Lucifer and Elaine both have to make their own worlds and struggle with how much influence they should have over their creations, so most of the time I was kind of just wishing I was reading that instead. It's a decent read though and the art and designs are pretty good overall. I think it would have worked better if it was a bit longer though.
I picked this up because I saw it was from the same guy that did Joyride, but I didn't really enjoy it as much as that title. It's an interesting concept to tie together the loss of Shannon's son with her appearance on a completely different world where she then tries to 'mother' the creatures evolving there. I say 'mothering' them but really she inadvertently turns into a kind of god to them as she tries to help. It was an interesting concept but I feel like the background wasn't explained clearly enough so I found the whole thing to be kind of confusing at times. Honestly it heavily reminds me of the parts in Mike Carey's Lucifer where Lucifer and Elaine both have to make their own worlds and struggle with how much influence they should have over their creations, so most of the time I was kind of just wishing I was reading that instead. It's a decent read though and the art and designs are pretty good overall. I think it would have worked better if it was a bit longer though.
August 10, 2018
+Digital arc gently provided by Netgalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review+
Art - 3.5*
Plot - 2*
Having as protagonist a mother suffering for the death of her son, we have this fantastic trip through the siquis? in a grieving process that tries to survive, explain, undo or amend? what happen in her life. Meanwhile we see a landscape in another dimension or place with strange creatures that evolve in a civilization influenced by her teachings seen through jumps in time.
A bit similar like What Dreams May Come , just as weird and strange, though it is more in a more pulp-fiction violent way, and it is up to the reader what the writer was talking about. And ok we agree that we influenced the world in many ways.
The art reminds me of some comics of the 70s, I like it, but I have the same complaints of others about the dark font over dark - really difficult to read.
Shannon esta sufriendo por la muerte de su hijo, y de un sueño cae dentro de un mundo totalmente extraña, pasando por una especie de era primitiva con unos seres larvarios y avanza por diferentes epocas sufriendo saltos en el tiempo. Esta es una fantasia violenta y mientras Shannon muestra a sus protegidos (los Zoja) sus enseñanzas, se convierte en Shan, diosa protectora y vengativa, terrible cuando todas sus dichos se convierten en ley y legado.
Esto que es fantasia en modo pulp tambien parece ser un paso por la siquis de la protagonista como parece implicar el final.
Not my cuppa.
Art - 3.5*
Plot - 2*
Having as protagonist a mother suffering for the death of her son, we have this fantastic trip through the siquis? in a grieving process that tries to survive, explain, undo or amend? what happen in her life. Meanwhile we see a landscape in another dimension or place with strange creatures that evolve in a civilization influenced by her teachings seen through jumps in time.
A bit similar like What Dreams May Come , just as weird and strange, though it is more in a more pulp-fiction violent way, and it is up to the reader what the writer was talking about. And ok we agree that we influenced the world in many ways.
The art reminds me of some comics of the 70s, I like it, but I have the same complaints of others about the dark font over dark - really difficult to read.
Shannon esta sufriendo por la muerte de su hijo, y de un sueño cae dentro de un mundo totalmente extraña, pasando por una especie de era primitiva con unos seres larvarios y avanza por diferentes epocas sufriendo saltos en el tiempo. Esta es una fantasia violenta y mientras Shannon muestra a sus protegidos (los Zoja) sus enseñanzas, se convierte en Shan, diosa protectora y vengativa, terrible cuando todas sus dichos se convierten en ley y legado.
Esto que es fantasia en modo pulp tambien parece ser un paso por la siquis de la protagonista como parece implicar el final.
Not my cuppa.
September 7, 2018
Ahhhh yet another graphic novel that has completely let me down. How is it that the blurbs for graphic novels sound so interesting, and their illustrations are brilliant, but the story just isn't there? This is the second graphic novel in a row that has disappointed me so much, but oh well...
A grieving mother wakes in a brutal but fantastic landscape, where the currents of time pull her into the future, lurching forward days, years, and millennia. Her name is Shannon Kind, and her life in our world has vanished without warning. Perhaps she can find peace in her new home. Perhaps she can shape Zojaqan into a better world. But first, she must survive.
I have no idea what happened during this graphic novel. As soon as I finished it, I had to sit back for about 10 minutes and really think about what had happened and try t =o make sense of it. The central plot is about our main protagonist, Shannon who has just lost her son. Somehow (which is never explained) she is thrown into a different universe, where she meets people called Zojas. She helps the Zojas defend themselves, and after her helping them, the Zojas see Shannon as a God. Shannon sort of takes on the responsibility of a God and teaches them how to hunt and defend themselves against predators. She teaches them how to be kind to each other and rely on each other to survive. But then, she's suddenly pulled forward in time to where she sees that everything has gone a bit wrong. The Zojas are killing in her name.
And that's it. That's the story. That's pretty much all that happens. There's no real storyline, but there is definite underlying preaching involved with this graphic novel.
As for the artwork, I actually really liked it, and that's the whole reason for the one star. However, sometimes the lettering was sometimes really hard to read. At times, there would be this kind of old English font in yellow that was on a red background, and I was squinting so hard to read it.
I just can't help but think that there should have been... more...? The title states that this was the complete series, which I'm guessing means that it's the complete storyline and that there isn't going to be any more issues or anything like that. Which also means that there isn't going to be any development on the world or the characters.
I can't help but wonder what the point of this graphic novel is... What story is it trying to tell?
This graphic novel just wasn't for me...
Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
A grieving mother wakes in a brutal but fantastic landscape, where the currents of time pull her into the future, lurching forward days, years, and millennia. Her name is Shannon Kind, and her life in our world has vanished without warning. Perhaps she can find peace in her new home. Perhaps she can shape Zojaqan into a better world. But first, she must survive.
I have no idea what happened during this graphic novel. As soon as I finished it, I had to sit back for about 10 minutes and really think about what had happened and try t =o make sense of it. The central plot is about our main protagonist, Shannon who has just lost her son. Somehow (which is never explained) she is thrown into a different universe, where she meets people called Zojas. She helps the Zojas defend themselves, and after her helping them, the Zojas see Shannon as a God. Shannon sort of takes on the responsibility of a God and teaches them how to hunt and defend themselves against predators. She teaches them how to be kind to each other and rely on each other to survive. But then, she's suddenly pulled forward in time to where she sees that everything has gone a bit wrong. The Zojas are killing in her name.
And that's it. That's the story. That's pretty much all that happens. There's no real storyline, but there is definite underlying preaching involved with this graphic novel.
As for the artwork, I actually really liked it, and that's the whole reason for the one star. However, sometimes the lettering was sometimes really hard to read. At times, there would be this kind of old English font in yellow that was on a red background, and I was squinting so hard to read it.
I just can't help but think that there should have been... more...? The title states that this was the complete series, which I'm guessing means that it's the complete storyline and that there isn't going to be any more issues or anything like that. Which also means that there isn't going to be any development on the world or the characters.
I can't help but wonder what the point of this graphic novel is... What story is it trying to tell?
This graphic novel just wasn't for me...
Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
July 6, 2018
Warnings: death of child, violence, depression
Zojaqan is a unique take on the 'fell through a portal' kinds of low fantasies - in this one, Shannon arrives into another world while grieving the death of her son, and though she initially wants to give up, the world keeps her alive until she is ready to fight whatever comes in her way. Then she meets a species called the Zoja and in a state of motherly affection, starts to shape their destiny, but over and over she finds that trying to change a circumstance would sometimes would result in no change and she accepts her loss.
While the central arc of the story is Shannon coming to terms with the loss of her son, the majority of the plot is devoted to how she shapes the future of the Zojas. See, she has this ability that she can skip or slow down her time in this world, so she skips and it can be two generations when she back with them. She initially helps the Zoja fend off their predators, makes a deal with a menacing forest spirit, and tries to teach the Zoja morality. Her attempts to 'civilize' them however, are met with human-like civilizations of the Zoja that worship her and kill in her name. She essentially becomes the icon of a vengeful God for them - one who lives among them, but also who can cast them down for not following her teachings. I particularly felt that if you (the reader) have a problem with faith and religion in our world, this would particularly resonate with you - the idea that God maybe an entity who is just trying to make the future of your species better but keeps getting disappointed over how you use their name to commit atrocities.
While I liked the concept and direction of the plot, I still was not a fan of the artwork. The world is built well enough, a wonderland-like realm with strange creatures and things. But Shannon's character design was awful - the artists have her in weird and painful looking body postures ALL the time, and rely more on what they think look aesthetically pleasing than realism. Also, I hated the lettering for the narration given by the Zoja - it is in this weird old-timey font, yellow-brown color scheme and is a strain to read, even for someone who doesn't have vision problems. Also, it suggests it is an adventure fantasy, but that could only be said of the first chapter, maybe. The rest of it is just philosophical musings.
So basically, good concept, and interesting ideas, but terrible artwork and lettering.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Vault Comics, via Netgalley.
Zojaqan is a unique take on the 'fell through a portal' kinds of low fantasies - in this one, Shannon arrives into another world while grieving the death of her son, and though she initially wants to give up, the world keeps her alive until she is ready to fight whatever comes in her way. Then she meets a species called the Zoja and in a state of motherly affection, starts to shape their destiny, but over and over she finds that trying to change a circumstance would sometimes would result in no change and she accepts her loss.
While the central arc of the story is Shannon coming to terms with the loss of her son, the majority of the plot is devoted to how she shapes the future of the Zojas. See, she has this ability that she can skip or slow down her time in this world, so she skips and it can be two generations when she back with them. She initially helps the Zoja fend off their predators, makes a deal with a menacing forest spirit, and tries to teach the Zoja morality. Her attempts to 'civilize' them however, are met with human-like civilizations of the Zoja that worship her and kill in her name. She essentially becomes the icon of a vengeful God for them - one who lives among them, but also who can cast them down for not following her teachings. I particularly felt that if you (the reader) have a problem with faith and religion in our world, this would particularly resonate with you - the idea that God maybe an entity who is just trying to make the future of your species better but keeps getting disappointed over how you use their name to commit atrocities.
While I liked the concept and direction of the plot, I still was not a fan of the artwork. The world is built well enough, a wonderland-like realm with strange creatures and things. But Shannon's character design was awful - the artists have her in weird and painful looking body postures ALL the time, and rely more on what they think look aesthetically pleasing than realism. Also, I hated the lettering for the narration given by the Zoja - it is in this weird old-timey font, yellow-brown color scheme and is a strain to read, even for someone who doesn't have vision problems. Also, it suggests it is an adventure fantasy, but that could only be said of the first chapter, maybe. The rest of it is just philosophical musings.
So basically, good concept, and interesting ideas, but terrible artwork and lettering.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Vault Comics, via Netgalley.
July 3, 2018
Not for me in every way. I didn't like the story, the characters and the illustrations... that being said, it isn't particularly bad and could please some reader, but to far from my taste. Very personal verdict here.
September 5, 2018
Overall I cannot say I liked it - and what follows is quite a personal opinion here so feel free to skip reading.
I am of the "would like to be preached without being preached to variety" and the overtures and themes used throughout this piece were rather thinly veiled. I can appreciate the scope, the idea behind the allegory and some of the art really was quite "epic". But yeah - could not feel it. And most of the time I do read to feel.
Am quite sure there are many out there who would find it more appealing than I did.
Kudos to the creators for the vision and putting it out there though. Would probably have not read to the end if I didn't read their introduction first.
Source: Netgalley eArc
First finished: 5sept2018
I am of the "would like to be preached without being preached to variety" and the overtures and themes used throughout this piece were rather thinly veiled. I can appreciate the scope, the idea behind the allegory and some of the art really was quite "epic". But yeah - could not feel it. And most of the time I do read to feel.
Am quite sure there are many out there who would find it more appealing than I did.
Kudos to the creators for the vision and putting it out there though. Would probably have not read to the end if I didn't read their introduction first.
Source: Netgalley eArc
First finished: 5sept2018
July 16, 2018
2/5
Date Reviewed: 17 September 2018
This Review was first posted on It’s All Anthony. For more reviews, check out the blog here.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Out of all the graphic novels and comics I have read, Zojaqan was the most plot and detail driven story. The cover and the synopsis were what captured by attention and what made me decide to give the comic a try. At first, I thought it was interesting. As I made progress through the pages, there was one thought I couldn’t get rid of. It was more of a question of the form of “how?”
The main character, Shannon Kind, somehow vanishes from our world to this other world where time always randomly pushes her into the future. As I continued the story, I never got the bit of information of what happened and how she vanished. I can understand that vanishing into thin air can be explanation, but I think I just need more facts or something to have a better understanding.
As for the story, it felt like a creation story or something similar to like that. I rather liked the topic of the story and the progression, but the story itself was confusing to me. Although time kept skipping, the story did as well. I just couldn’t keep track of what was going on and things just did not make sense at all.
I can’t say much for the illustrations. They were good enough to look at, but I’m not sure if it was the best style for the comic as well. It definitely provided a good visual, but I am not sure how the story and the style went together. I am just assuming that this thought is probably just a personal opinion. At the end, I guess I just have to say that this was just did not work out for me.
Date Reviewed: 17 September 2018
This Review was first posted on It’s All Anthony. For more reviews, check out the blog here.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Out of all the graphic novels and comics I have read, Zojaqan was the most plot and detail driven story. The cover and the synopsis were what captured by attention and what made me decide to give the comic a try. At first, I thought it was interesting. As I made progress through the pages, there was one thought I couldn’t get rid of. It was more of a question of the form of “how?”
The main character, Shannon Kind, somehow vanishes from our world to this other world where time always randomly pushes her into the future. As I continued the story, I never got the bit of information of what happened and how she vanished. I can understand that vanishing into thin air can be explanation, but I think I just need more facts or something to have a better understanding.
As for the story, it felt like a creation story or something similar to like that. I rather liked the topic of the story and the progression, but the story itself was confusing to me. Although time kept skipping, the story did as well. I just couldn’t keep track of what was going on and things just did not make sense at all.
I can’t say much for the illustrations. They were good enough to look at, but I’m not sure if it was the best style for the comic as well. It definitely provided a good visual, but I am not sure how the story and the style went together. I am just assuming that this thought is probably just a personal opinion. At the end, I guess I just have to say that this was just did not work out for me.
August 3, 2018
I'm not entirely sure what I just read.
Shannon ends up on an alien planet (it's not a dream). We don't know how she ended up here or why she's there.
There are time jumps and flashbacks, which are quite confusing. I think the time jumps are a metaphor for how quickly a child grows up and the alien planet is a metaphor for how confusing parenthood is. And the end of the civilization is her grief. Maybe? I don't really know.
One of the fonts that was used was hard to read and started to hurt my eyes. It might be easier to read in paper format as opposed to on the computer.
Shannon ends up on an alien planet (it's not a dream). We don't know how she ended up here or why she's there.
There are time jumps and flashbacks, which are quite confusing. I think the time jumps are a metaphor for how quickly a child grows up and the alien planet is a metaphor for how confusing parenthood is. And the end of the civilization is her grief. Maybe? I don't really know.
One of the fonts that was used was hard to read and started to hurt my eyes. It might be easier to read in paper format as opposed to on the computer.
July 4, 2018
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Shannon Kind, a grieving mother who has lost her son, wakes up to find herself in another universe. Starting off on what seems like the beginning of life in that planet, she learns to survive, adapt and help the creatures of that world evolve. She constantly skips through time, protecting the creatures of the planet, but not always finding them on the right track. As that world evolves, Shannon will meet her own life lessons through the story of the beings that follow and worship her as a leader.
Zojaqan is a beautiful allegorical tale about loss, grieving, civilization and an attempt at the meaning of life. Through a heartbreaking background story we learn about the heroine's past, as we simultaneously follow her present. Accompanied by stunning illustrations, Shannon's adventures leaves a lot of things to ponder about, and a lot of life lessons for us all. This is a beautifully constructed work, strongly recommended for all readers.
Shannon Kind, a grieving mother who has lost her son, wakes up to find herself in another universe. Starting off on what seems like the beginning of life in that planet, she learns to survive, adapt and help the creatures of that world evolve. She constantly skips through time, protecting the creatures of the planet, but not always finding them on the right track. As that world evolves, Shannon will meet her own life lessons through the story of the beings that follow and worship her as a leader.
Zojaqan is a beautiful allegorical tale about loss, grieving, civilization and an attempt at the meaning of life. Through a heartbreaking background story we learn about the heroine's past, as we simultaneously follow her present. Accompanied by stunning illustrations, Shannon's adventures leaves a lot of things to ponder about, and a lot of life lessons for us all. This is a beautifully constructed work, strongly recommended for all readers.
August 22, 2018
It’s taken me a while to come back to review this title. It’s almost indescribable, but it is haunting, beautiful, and so full of layers that it is almost impossible to put out of your head.
Grief, rage, time, the best of intentions gone wrong, the strength of women, the power of change...... it’s all in there.
And it’s heart wrenching, and brilliant.
Grief, rage, time, the best of intentions gone wrong, the strength of women, the power of change...... it’s all in there.
And it’s heart wrenching, and brilliant.
September 24, 2020
While i didn't dig this one alot it was interesting to see Shannon become somewhat of a god to the alien race
January 15, 2020
Silno som sa snažila, aby ma to bavilo, ale nedokázala som. Furt sa skákalo (chápem, že o to tam šlo), ale strácala som prehľad, hlavná postava mi prišla neskutočne nesympatická. Jediné, čo sa mi na tom celom páčilo, bola kresba a celé to prostredie, ktoré zobrazovala.
September 6, 2018
3 1/2 Stars
I received a copy of Zojaqan through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Zojaqan is a one of a kind story, and one that isn’t easily forgotten. If you’re looking for a complete story that isn’t like anything else out there…well you may want to consider giving this one a try.
Shannon Kind doesn’t strike you as an extraordinary character at first, and by that I mean she doesn’t appear superhuman or powered or anything like that. No, she’s simply put, a human. She’s a grieving mother who’s desperately searching for an answer to what happened. She’s looking for solace, for resolution, and for so much more.
Her search takes a different turn than one would expect, however, and that’s what makes this story so unique. A lot of what happens here can be considered metaphorical…but it can also be enjoyed as it is, without being heavily analyzed. Regardless of how you choose to interpret it, the emotional pain of the characters will roll off the page and make you really feel for what is happening.
Spoiler Warning
Zojaqan, as I stated above, is completely different. However, that also means it takes a little bit more effort to get into it. I’d say it wasn’t until the tenth or fifteenth page that I felt like I was really following the story they were trying to tell me.
In a way I actually wish that this graphic novel had been longer. I truly do feel that the intent would have read better had it been spread out a bit more. As it is, things felt a bit rushed here and there. Now, I have to admit that it’s quite possible that this was intentionally done. Shannon, while having all the time in the world, was constantly jumping around, always rushing in to deal with this or that…so it’s possible that we were meant to feel that way as well. If that’s the case, then it was actually brilliantly done, if perhaps a little too subtle.
Zojaqan is not the story to read if you’re looking for facts and answers. This is more about; well it’s about the journey for answers, more than the answers themselves. Or at least that’s how I chose to see things. If others interpreted different, I would love to hear it. Sometimes that’s what truly makes something like this shine – the ability for everyone to see it differently, and the conversations it’ll ignite.
I received a copy of Zojaqan through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Zojaqan is a one of a kind story, and one that isn’t easily forgotten. If you’re looking for a complete story that isn’t like anything else out there…well you may want to consider giving this one a try.
Shannon Kind doesn’t strike you as an extraordinary character at first, and by that I mean she doesn’t appear superhuman or powered or anything like that. No, she’s simply put, a human. She’s a grieving mother who’s desperately searching for an answer to what happened. She’s looking for solace, for resolution, and for so much more.
Her search takes a different turn than one would expect, however, and that’s what makes this story so unique. A lot of what happens here can be considered metaphorical…but it can also be enjoyed as it is, without being heavily analyzed. Regardless of how you choose to interpret it, the emotional pain of the characters will roll off the page and make you really feel for what is happening.
Spoiler Warning
Zojaqan, as I stated above, is completely different. However, that also means it takes a little bit more effort to get into it. I’d say it wasn’t until the tenth or fifteenth page that I felt like I was really following the story they were trying to tell me.
In a way I actually wish that this graphic novel had been longer. I truly do feel that the intent would have read better had it been spread out a bit more. As it is, things felt a bit rushed here and there. Now, I have to admit that it’s quite possible that this was intentionally done. Shannon, while having all the time in the world, was constantly jumping around, always rushing in to deal with this or that…so it’s possible that we were meant to feel that way as well. If that’s the case, then it was actually brilliantly done, if perhaps a little too subtle.
Zojaqan is not the story to read if you’re looking for facts and answers. This is more about; well it’s about the journey for answers, more than the answers themselves. Or at least that’s how I chose to see things. If others interpreted different, I would love to hear it. Sometimes that’s what truly makes something like this shine – the ability for everyone to see it differently, and the conversations it’ll ignite.
July 14, 2018
Science fiction has long been used as a metaphorical vehicle for dealing with grief or trauma. "Zojaqan" feels like it belongs in this tradition, but also takes it in a new direction.
The story starts with Shannon Kind stranded on an alien world. She discovers a native prey and predator species on the planet, and finds herself defending the prey against the predators. She then sporadically jumps forward in time, sometimes a few dozen years into the future, sometimes thousands of years. Over time, her prey species, the Zoja, build a civilization based on her teachings. However, her lessons get distorted and her offhand moral guidance stagnates into a corrupt religion.
Throughout the story, we also learn that Shannon is grieving the death of her son Luther. Her flashbacks to Earth remind us of our own troubled present (in one panel, Luther even carries a Black Lives Matter sign). The implication is clear: despite the progress of civilization, we will always have to contend with the strong preying on the weak.
"Zojaqan" is a multilayered story that does not give up its secrets easily. It can sometimes be hard to follow, but never because of bad writing or unclear artwork. Rather, I felt the writers wanted to prompt readers to engage with the story actively. You will probably need to work to get the most out of this story. I particularly appreciate just how much the authors leave to the imagination. It's possible to get a rough understanding of the rules of this world, but ultimately there's so much more we don't know. Subtlety is an understatement.
I personally loved the art style. The characters were drawn with just enough clarity so that they're clear, but the artist never dwells too much on the details. The abstract style helps lend the world a slightly ethereal quality. Great use of reds for the sky.
This comic isn't for everyone. "Zojaqan" is not an action/adventure story. In a lot of ways, it reminded me of the recent movie "Annihilation" (without the horror). It's a quirky science fiction story that works primarily on an emotional and intellectual level rather than through worldbuilding and plot development.
[NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review]
The story starts with Shannon Kind stranded on an alien world. She discovers a native prey and predator species on the planet, and finds herself defending the prey against the predators. She then sporadically jumps forward in time, sometimes a few dozen years into the future, sometimes thousands of years. Over time, her prey species, the Zoja, build a civilization based on her teachings. However, her lessons get distorted and her offhand moral guidance stagnates into a corrupt religion.
Throughout the story, we also learn that Shannon is grieving the death of her son Luther. Her flashbacks to Earth remind us of our own troubled present (in one panel, Luther even carries a Black Lives Matter sign). The implication is clear: despite the progress of civilization, we will always have to contend with the strong preying on the weak.
"Zojaqan" is a multilayered story that does not give up its secrets easily. It can sometimes be hard to follow, but never because of bad writing or unclear artwork. Rather, I felt the writers wanted to prompt readers to engage with the story actively. You will probably need to work to get the most out of this story. I particularly appreciate just how much the authors leave to the imagination. It's possible to get a rough understanding of the rules of this world, but ultimately there's so much more we don't know. Subtlety is an understatement.
I personally loved the art style. The characters were drawn with just enough clarity so that they're clear, but the artist never dwells too much on the details. The abstract style helps lend the world a slightly ethereal quality. Great use of reds for the sky.
This comic isn't for everyone. "Zojaqan" is not an action/adventure story. In a lot of ways, it reminded me of the recent movie "Annihilation" (without the horror). It's a quirky science fiction story that works primarily on an emotional and intellectual level rather than through worldbuilding and plot development.
[NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review]
August 11, 2018
A really interesting read, let down a little in the execution, but still worth reading for the bravery. A common-or-garden woman falls asleep, or dies, or SOMETHING, and arrives in a strange fantasy world where giant beasties could kill her, and she only has small beasties to eat. But time doesn't exactly work routinely here, for when she pops up into awareness next the small beasties have evolved, and further on they're even further down their path. In this violent world, she decides to give them her precepts of peace, justice and love – but can these simple minds live by them, in the ways she would want, when to them she only comes along on rare occasions?
You could see this in a science fiction format as the story of 2001, but from the point of view of the monolith. Getting vicious? Here's it/her to look on. Getting above ourselves by going into space? Here again. (I know the theories of 2001 do vary between the monolith being cause and just observer, but you get my drift.) It's just a pity then that this book is scrappy. Little things niggle, especially in reviewing it on a laptop, for so many pages are double spreads, and so much text is an awkward font. We're not always cognisant of the timeline, especially when flashbacks to a tragedy in her life come into play.
But heck, this does do a lot more than the routine comic book, and for lots of fighting scenes FOR A REASON, and for a richly conveyed world, this is well worth consideration. Nor does the pattern of her finding the critters going astray, correcting them, but correcting them in vain, become wearisome. It's not perfect, but it's certainly powerful enough to stay in the mind some time.
You could see this in a science fiction format as the story of 2001, but from the point of view of the monolith. Getting vicious? Here's it/her to look on. Getting above ourselves by going into space? Here again. (I know the theories of 2001 do vary between the monolith being cause and just observer, but you get my drift.) It's just a pity then that this book is scrappy. Little things niggle, especially in reviewing it on a laptop, for so many pages are double spreads, and so much text is an awkward font. We're not always cognisant of the timeline, especially when flashbacks to a tragedy in her life come into play.
But heck, this does do a lot more than the routine comic book, and for lots of fighting scenes FOR A REASON, and for a richly conveyed world, this is well worth consideration. Nor does the pattern of her finding the critters going astray, correcting them, but correcting them in vain, become wearisome. It's not perfect, but it's certainly powerful enough to stay in the mind some time.
September 2, 2018
2.5/5 This introduction to Shan and Zojaqan was incredibly uncomfortable for me. The premise is that Shannon (or Shan) loses her son - in a way that is unclear - but it sounds like he was run down by a car, intentionally. Earlier, you see him with a Black Lives Matter sign, so I concluded that this happened in relation to that, but it isn't explicitly stated.
She may have committed suicide and this is her afterlife, or she may have retreated into her own psyche, or she may legitimately space/time traveled - that is also unclear, but she finds herself in a different world.
She seems well intentioned when she starts to teach the indigenous people how to protect themselves from predators, but then begins some serious colonizer BS - giving them rules to live by, becoming angry when they "misinterpret" her vague parables, and then beating them or killing them when they don't live the way she wants them to.
This was super troubling for me that a black woman - the daughter of an immigrant and the mourning mother of a son who was run down at a Black Lives Matter protest - would turn around and become a colonizer to the indigenous people. I was curious as to who had written it, looked them up, and they're both white men. I wish I could say I was surprised, but I'm not. I think there are a lot of white folk who envision that given the same power position their ancestors had over indigenous peoples, minorities would behaved the same way. I reject that premise, and I'm disappointed in this story.
She may have committed suicide and this is her afterlife, or she may have retreated into her own psyche, or she may legitimately space/time traveled - that is also unclear, but she finds herself in a different world.
She seems well intentioned when she starts to teach the indigenous people how to protect themselves from predators, but then begins some serious colonizer BS - giving them rules to live by, becoming angry when they "misinterpret" her vague parables, and then beating them or killing them when they don't live the way she wants them to.
This was super troubling for me that a black woman - the daughter of an immigrant and the mourning mother of a son who was run down at a Black Lives Matter protest - would turn around and become a colonizer to the indigenous people. I was curious as to who had written it, looked them up, and they're both white men. I wish I could say I was surprised, but I'm not. I think there are a lot of white folk who envision that given the same power position their ancestors had over indigenous peoples, minorities would behaved the same way. I reject that premise, and I'm disappointed in this story.
August 13, 2018
Zojaqan is a tale about a woman, Shannon Kind who finds herself stranded in an alien world.
As years roll by Shannon notices that presence on the strange planet has slowed down her ageing process. And thousands of years roll by she discovers that the creatures she used to hunt are growing bigger and evolving into smart intelligent beings.
Shannon adopts one of such species to watch over them, teaching them how to live. Through her the tribe she now calls Zoja comes to learn language, art, and self-defence.
The story continues by focusing on how Zoja lived over hundreds of years after Shannon's brief departures. More importantly, it expands on the terrible acts the young tribe enacts in an effort to follow Shannon's rules and guides.
Zojaqan is difficult to describe. On one hand, it almost feels like a fantasy about a lone human in an alien world. On the other, I sense a level of allegory about the world's present political and religious state. This ambiguity is one of the reasons why I love this tale. It is also probably why I still can't stop thinking about it.
All in all, Zojaqan does well to portray the desperation that takes hold of civilisations in grip of fear and tradition.
Many thanks to Diamond Books for review copy.
As years roll by Shannon notices that presence on the strange planet has slowed down her ageing process. And thousands of years roll by she discovers that the creatures she used to hunt are growing bigger and evolving into smart intelligent beings.
Shannon adopts one of such species to watch over them, teaching them how to live. Through her the tribe she now calls Zoja comes to learn language, art, and self-defence.
The story continues by focusing on how Zoja lived over hundreds of years after Shannon's brief departures. More importantly, it expands on the terrible acts the young tribe enacts in an effort to follow Shannon's rules and guides.
Zojaqan is difficult to describe. On one hand, it almost feels like a fantasy about a lone human in an alien world. On the other, I sense a level of allegory about the world's present political and religious state. This ambiguity is one of the reasons why I love this tale. It is also probably why I still can't stop thinking about it.
All in all, Zojaqan does well to portray the desperation that takes hold of civilisations in grip of fear and tradition.
Many thanks to Diamond Books for review copy.
September 15, 2018
'Zojaqan: The Complete Series' by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly with art by Nathan C. Gooden and Vittorio Astone was a title that I liked more at a visceral level than I did on the surface, but I did like it.
Shannon Kind wakes up in a weird, beautiful world and has to fight for her life. Along the way, and as much time passes, she forms the world to her liking. Tribes of beings rise up and build statues to her. There is more to Shannon's story though. She is also a grieving mother, and her story on Earth keeps winding up on thisnew planet she finds herself on. Can she deal with the grief and not mess up her new home?
The story has weird narrative that works but doesn't. The story doesn't really feel all that complete. There are odd flashbacks that feel out of order.
And yet, I liked this interesting, gutsy story with an interesting hero at it's heart. I also liked the art, which feels like a perfect fit for this odd, emotional ride.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Vault Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Shannon Kind wakes up in a weird, beautiful world and has to fight for her life. Along the way, and as much time passes, she forms the world to her liking. Tribes of beings rise up and build statues to her. There is more to Shannon's story though. She is also a grieving mother, and her story on Earth keeps winding up on thisnew planet she finds herself on. Can she deal with the grief and not mess up her new home?
The story has weird narrative that works but doesn't. The story doesn't really feel all that complete. There are odd flashbacks that feel out of order.
And yet, I liked this interesting, gutsy story with an interesting hero at it's heart. I also liked the art, which feels like a perfect fit for this odd, emotional ride.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Vault Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
July 15, 2018
Soon will come the armies.
The churches, the betrayals…
The light and the void and the light again…
A story about time, about life, about death.
About eternity.
Mortality.
Shan lives in this epic comic.
The imagination and art in this volume are breathtaking.
The depth and breadth of this story are amazing.
This really spoke to me.
In darkness, we go to places unimaginable. Our dreams turn into metaphors for our lives. The art we create becomes metaphors for what we live.
The longer we live, the more the darkness tries to surround us. As we evolve, that darkness evolves. We spend every day of our lives fighting it.
Sometimes the darkness wins.
Sometimes we live it over and over.
Soon will come the armies.
The churches, the betrayals…
Thanks to NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Vault Comics for a copy in return for an honest review.
The churches, the betrayals…
The light and the void and the light again…
A story about time, about life, about death.
About eternity.
Mortality.
Shan lives in this epic comic.
The imagination and art in this volume are breathtaking.
The depth and breadth of this story are amazing.
This really spoke to me.
In darkness, we go to places unimaginable. Our dreams turn into metaphors for our lives. The art we create becomes metaphors for what we live.
The longer we live, the more the darkness tries to surround us. As we evolve, that darkness evolves. We spend every day of our lives fighting it.
Sometimes the darkness wins.
Sometimes we live it over and over.
Soon will come the armies.
The churches, the betrayals…
Thanks to NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Vault Comics for a copy in return for an honest review.
August 8, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
***
Shannon Kind finds herself on an unusual alien planet amongst two species, one prey and the other predator, following the loss of her son. (Not entirely sure how recent the loss is and how long after it happens she appears on this planet though.) Shannon sets herself up as a protector to the prey species, eventually taking on the name Zoja, and takes them under her wings becoming a godlike figure to them. She happens to jump through time, sometimes a couple years, sometimes hundred or thousands. During these jumps she sees the Zoja evolve, largely under her words and how they get interpreted and distorted and end up the exact opposite of what she’d intended.
This was a fantastic story that looks at grief, loss and growth.
The art was beautiful, fantastical sometimes even. Not sure it’ll be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a wonderful story.
***
Shannon Kind finds herself on an unusual alien planet amongst two species, one prey and the other predator, following the loss of her son. (Not entirely sure how recent the loss is and how long after it happens she appears on this planet though.) Shannon sets herself up as a protector to the prey species, eventually taking on the name Zoja, and takes them under her wings becoming a godlike figure to them. She happens to jump through time, sometimes a couple years, sometimes hundred or thousands. During these jumps she sees the Zoja evolve, largely under her words and how they get interpreted and distorted and end up the exact opposite of what she’d intended.
This was a fantastic story that looks at grief, loss and growth.
The art was beautiful, fantastical sometimes even. Not sure it’ll be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a wonderful story.
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August 30, 2018
I received a copy of this for free in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, I'm trying to formulate my thoughts for this review, but Zojaqan is stunning. I mean that in the literal sense. I'm dumbfounded.
A beautifully wrought thesis on grief and control, Zojaqan follows Shannon Kind. We follow her through the beautifully drawn pages to see the inevitable end of her interference in the creation of a civilization.
It is haunting and thought provoking and beautiful. I can't recommend it enough.
Although it would be good to note that this is not a book for the faint of heart. Lots of violence here, folks.
For more reviews like this, check out Truly Booked.
Honestly, I'm trying to formulate my thoughts for this review, but Zojaqan is stunning. I mean that in the literal sense. I'm dumbfounded.
A beautifully wrought thesis on grief and control, Zojaqan follows Shannon Kind. We follow her through the beautifully drawn pages to see the inevitable end of her interference in the creation of a civilization.
It is haunting and thought provoking and beautiful. I can't recommend it enough.
Although it would be good to note that this is not a book for the faint of heart. Lots of violence here, folks.
For more reviews like this, check out Truly Booked.
December 31, 2018
Zojaqan. Well now. Zojaqan is about a woman names Shannon Kind who (as the book itself references Slaughterhouse Five) becomes unstuck in time.
She enters a strange world and it begins to impact her and she impacts it and we begin to learn about her and her situation as she skips through time like a stone on a lake.
I'll not go into spoilers, but this book has emotional impact for days and it says some interesting things about epistemology and eschatology. These may have been intentional or not.
She enters a strange world and it begins to impact her and she impacts it and we begin to learn about her and her situation as she skips through time like a stone on a lake.
I'll not go into spoilers, but this book has emotional impact for days and it says some interesting things about epistemology and eschatology. These may have been intentional or not.
December 15, 2021
This is a standalone, complete story. That always comes with pros and cons, especially with a story like this that takes a lot of risks. The best I can describe without being spoilery is that this seems to be an allegorical sci-fi story that largely revolves around a mother's grief. There are interesting insights to the beginnings of religions, the consequences of rage and hubris, and the movement of time. I recommend it if you're looking for something a bit more head-scratchy/deep but don't mind some pulpy violence. Won't be everyone's cuppa tea.
July 13, 2018
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have only reviewed a couple of others in this comic and graphic novel world. The drawing was well done and clear. It really show you the flow of the story and kept me engaged in the tale being woven around me. Shannon goes through a lot to survive, but I want the best of the Zojas as well. There is more I want to say, but I don't want to spoil this. It well done and would like to see more by them in the future.
October 9, 2018
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a review.
I always like to mix up my reading topics by throwing in a graphic novel here and there and I was curious to read this. Unfortunately, the story wasn't that interesting and the artwork was just ok for me. It wasn't terrible but it's not something I'd recommend.
I always like to mix up my reading topics by throwing in a graphic novel here and there and I was curious to read this. Unfortunately, the story wasn't that interesting and the artwork was just ok for me. It wasn't terrible but it's not something I'd recommend.
March 3, 2023
Another cool immortal being story - really liked the religion/mythology dynamic with the main character and the aliens. Docking a star because the dude artist had to give her a sexy lady body even when the situation didn’t call for sexiness. Why is she flaunting her ass when she’s being chased by alien monsters?? :(
November 5, 2018
This is a comic that makes you think.
February 24, 2019
“What if God were a female/time-jumping/black mail carrier?” The result is STUNNING. The art, panel layout, and concepts are wildly creative.
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