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Aster of Pan #1-2
Aster of Pan, Vol. 1
The year is 2068. The place, Fontainebleau forest, ancient home of some of France's mightiest monarchs on the outskirts of what was once Paris. The post-apocalyptic society of Pan survives by growing rice and scavenging among the ruins of a destroyed civilization. Their precarious existence comes under threat when the powerful, technologically advanced Federation of Fortuna forces them into a dangerous choice—submit to Fortuna's rule, or try to best them in a barbaric, ritualized game known as Celestial Mechanics. Pan's only hope? A hot-headed outcast they'd rejected for being "un-Pan": a girl named Aster.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2019
3 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Merwan
51 books26 followersMerwan Chabane est diplômé de l'École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. Après un passage par l'École des Gobelins, il fait ses premières armes dans le milieu du jeu vidéo, mais également en réalisant des story-boards pour différentes séries d'animations.
En 2002, il se fait remarquer avec son film de fin d'études, « Biotope », court-métrage d'animation multi primé qu'il écrit et réalise. Soutenue par le CNC et Arte, cette expérience se poursuit avec la réalisation d'un autre court-métrage d'animation, « Clichés de soirée » sélectionné pour le prix du cartoon d'or 2009.
En 2007, il est contacté pour collaborer au long métrage des « Lascars » en tant que story-boarder.
Il publie en 2009 la bande dessinée « Fausse garde » aux éditions Vents d'Ouest, la version retravaillée et exhaustive de sa première BD « Pankat ».
Puis il publie également chez 12BIS le premier Volume de la saga d'aventure « L'Or et le Sang » qu'il dessine sur une mise en scène de Fabien Bedouel, coécrite par Maurin Defrance et Fabien Nury. Il entame ensuite la création d'albums, seul ou en collaboration, comme avec Bastien Vivès, par exemple.
En 2002, il se fait remarquer avec son film de fin d'études, « Biotope », court-métrage d'animation multi primé qu'il écrit et réalise. Soutenue par le CNC et Arte, cette expérience se poursuit avec la réalisation d'un autre court-métrage d'animation, « Clichés de soirée » sélectionné pour le prix du cartoon d'or 2009.
En 2007, il est contacté pour collaborer au long métrage des « Lascars » en tant que story-boarder.
Il publie en 2009 la bande dessinée « Fausse garde » aux éditions Vents d'Ouest, la version retravaillée et exhaustive de sa première BD « Pankat ».
Puis il publie également chez 12BIS le premier Volume de la saga d'aventure « L'Or et le Sang » qu'il dessine sur une mise en scène de Fabien Bedouel, coécrite par Maurin Defrance et Fabien Nury. Il entame ensuite la création d'albums, seul ou en collaboration, comme avec Bastien Vivès, par exemple.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 9, 2020
This graphic novel has great artwork and layout.
Pan is a post-apocalyptic society living in a desolated area just outside of Paris. Food can be scarce, but there seems to be a steady supply of rice, enough to get the attention of pirates, who regularly steal the rice.
The storyline is great, interesting, fast moving and full of surprises as well as great dialog. We find out who is related to whom, changing possibilities and Arbitration by Celestial Mechanics. The people of Pan need to win this game or else submit themselves to be subjected to Federation of Fortuna forces.
Highly recommended.
I did receive an ARC of this comic in exchange for a honest review.
Pan is a post-apocalyptic society living in a desolated area just outside of Paris. Food can be scarce, but there seems to be a steady supply of rice, enough to get the attention of pirates, who regularly steal the rice.
The storyline is great, interesting, fast moving and full of surprises as well as great dialog. We find out who is related to whom, changing possibilities and Arbitration by Celestial Mechanics. The people of Pan need to win this game or else submit themselves to be subjected to Federation of Fortuna forces.
Highly recommended.
I did receive an ARC of this comic in exchange for a honest review.
March 28, 2021
+Digital ARC gently provided by Netgalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review+
4.4 stars
That's was fun!
What can I say? I loved the drawing of this graphic novel.
The year is 2068, and Pan is a postapocaliptic zone near Paris, a few barely surviving scavenging among the radiactived ruins and cultivating some rice. Aster is an orphan girl, strange to the knit community so Aster is "Un-Pan", and she is unhappy with it. Her best friend is Wallis, and they go around together, despite looking very different. Aster is outgoing and athletic, and he's quiet, and you see him reading a book (Thoreau - really?)
What's up with that dangling fox tail? In fact, at first I thought she had a tail, like an anime girl, but no, seems like just an accessory. Like the tattoos that the characters have, I don't know what they mean.
The vignettes show a story of postwar, with stacked gas masks, and tanks with skeletons inside, and the submerged city. But while Pan is a very basic and isolated community with a committee and tendency to superstitions, with a bit a problem with pirates, is when drones appear and strangers from The Republic of Fortuna, another sector with more technology that are looking for "adding productive force" (cheap laborers), is when bigger problems starts.
But wait. There is way to be let alone. They had to win the game. Er I mean they ask for 'Arbitration by Celestial Mechanics' aka Dodgeball. If they lost, they have to give up 50% of their harvest.
Fortuna has a team of professionals, and Pan has no idea where they are standing. They are saved only thanks to Aster.
But then the game of revenge gets more and more complicated, with wild scenarios and opponents changing rules and cheating.
(I don't know you, but when I was a child, I was frightened to be hit by a ball. Especially the fingers! Auch.)
In addition there are other stories that are happening, of a divided family, love relationships, and something about the origin of Aster.
Meanwhile there is a political scenario almost behind the scenes, which unfortunately is barely shown and hinted at with those who are not satisfied with the government.
Well, despite having many cliches from other dystopian stories, I really enjoyed this story. I don't know if there will be a continuation, but I would read it.
---------------
{Esta vez en castellano:}
¡Eso fue divertido!
¿Qué puedo decir? Me encantó el dibujo de esta novela gráfica.
Es el año 2068, y Pan es una zona postapocalíptica cerca de París, unos pocos que apenas sobreviven hurgando entre las ruinas radiactivas y cultivando algo de arroz. Aster es una niña huérfana, extraña a la comunidad, por lo que Aster es "Un-Pan", y no está contenta con eso. Su mejor amigo es Wallis, a pesar de parecer muy diferentes. Aster es extrovertida y atlética, y él es tranquilo, y lo ves leyendo un libro (de Thoreau, ¿en serio?)
¿Qué pasa con esa cola de zorro que cuelga? De hecho, al principio pensé que ella tenía cola, como una chica de anime, pero no, parece solo un accesorio. Como los tatuajes que tienen los personajes, no sé a qué significan.
Las viñetas van mostrando una historia de postguerra, con máscaras de gas apiladas y tanques con esqueletos en el interior, y la ciudad sumergida. Pero si bien Pan es una comunidad muy básica y aislada con un comité y tendencia a las supersticiones, con un poco de problema con los piratas, es cuando aparecen drones y desconocidos de La República de Fortuna , otro sector con mayor tecnología que buscan "agregar fuerza productiva" (mano de obra barata), es cuando comienzan los problemas más grandes.
Pero espera. Hay una manera de que les dejen en paz. Tenían que ganar el juego. Esto, me refiero a que piden 'Arbitraje por Mecánica Celestial' también conocido como Pelota Envenenada por mi tierra. Si pierden, tienen que ceder el 50% de su cosecha.
Fortuna tiene un equipo de profesionales y Pan no tiene idea de dónde empezar. Se salvan apenas sólo gracias a Aster.
Pero luego el juego de la venganza se vuelve cada vez más complicado, con escenarios salvajes y oponentes que cambian las reglas y hacen trampa.
(No sé uds, pero cuando era niño, tenía miedo de que me golpeara una pelota. ¡Especialmente los dedos! Auch).
Además hay otras historias que están sucediendo, de una familia dividida, relaciones amorosas y algo sobre el origen de Aster.
Mientras tanto hay un escenario político casi entre bastidores, que lamentablemente apenas se muestra y se insinúa con quienes no están satisfechos con el gobierno.
Bueno, a pesar de tener muchos clichés de otras historias distópicas, realmente disfruté esta historia. No sé si habrá continuación, pero la leería.
4.4 stars
That's was fun!
What can I say? I loved the drawing of this graphic novel.
The year is 2068, and Pan is a postapocaliptic zone near Paris, a few barely surviving scavenging among the radiactived ruins and cultivating some rice. Aster is an orphan girl, strange to the knit community so Aster is "Un-Pan", and she is unhappy with it. Her best friend is Wallis, and they go around together, despite looking very different. Aster is outgoing and athletic, and he's quiet, and you see him reading a book (Thoreau - really?)
What's up with that dangling fox tail? In fact, at first I thought she had a tail, like an anime girl, but no, seems like just an accessory. Like the tattoos that the characters have, I don't know what they mean.
The vignettes show a story of postwar, with stacked gas masks, and tanks with skeletons inside, and the submerged city. But while Pan is a very basic and isolated community with a committee and tendency to superstitions, with a bit a problem with pirates, is when drones appear and strangers from The Republic of Fortuna, another sector with more technology that are looking for "adding productive force" (cheap laborers), is when bigger problems starts.
But wait. There is way to be let alone. They had to win the game. Er I mean they ask for 'Arbitration by Celestial Mechanics' aka Dodgeball. If they lost, they have to give up 50% of their harvest.
Fortuna has a team of professionals, and Pan has no idea where they are standing. They are saved only thanks to Aster.
But then the game of revenge gets more and more complicated, with wild scenarios and opponents changing rules and cheating.
(I don't know you, but when I was a child, I was frightened to be hit by a ball. Especially the fingers! Auch.)
In addition there are other stories that are happening, of a divided family, love relationships, and something about the origin of Aster.
Meanwhile there is a political scenario almost behind the scenes, which unfortunately is barely shown and hinted at with those who are not satisfied with the government.
Well, despite having many cliches from other dystopian stories, I really enjoyed this story. I don't know if there will be a continuation, but I would read it.
---------------
{Esta vez en castellano:}
¡Eso fue divertido!
¿Qué puedo decir? Me encantó el dibujo de esta novela gráfica.
Es el año 2068, y Pan es una zona postapocalíptica cerca de París, unos pocos que apenas sobreviven hurgando entre las ruinas radiactivas y cultivando algo de arroz. Aster es una niña huérfana, extraña a la comunidad, por lo que Aster es "Un-Pan", y no está contenta con eso. Su mejor amigo es Wallis, a pesar de parecer muy diferentes. Aster es extrovertida y atlética, y él es tranquilo, y lo ves leyendo un libro (de Thoreau, ¿en serio?)
¿Qué pasa con esa cola de zorro que cuelga? De hecho, al principio pensé que ella tenía cola, como una chica de anime, pero no, parece solo un accesorio. Como los tatuajes que tienen los personajes, no sé a qué significan.
Las viñetas van mostrando una historia de postguerra, con máscaras de gas apiladas y tanques con esqueletos en el interior, y la ciudad sumergida. Pero si bien Pan es una comunidad muy básica y aislada con un comité y tendencia a las supersticiones, con un poco de problema con los piratas, es cuando aparecen drones y desconocidos de La República de Fortuna , otro sector con mayor tecnología que buscan "agregar fuerza productiva" (mano de obra barata), es cuando comienzan los problemas más grandes.
Pero espera. Hay una manera de que les dejen en paz. Tenían que ganar el juego. Esto, me refiero a que piden 'Arbitraje por Mecánica Celestial' también conocido como Pelota Envenenada por mi tierra. Si pierden, tienen que ceder el 50% de su cosecha.
Fortuna tiene un equipo de profesionales y Pan no tiene idea de dónde empezar. Se salvan apenas sólo gracias a Aster.
Pero luego el juego de la venganza se vuelve cada vez más complicado, con escenarios salvajes y oponentes que cambian las reglas y hacen trampa.
(No sé uds, pero cuando era niño, tenía miedo de que me golpeara una pelota. ¡Especialmente los dedos! Auch).
Además hay otras historias que están sucediendo, de una familia dividida, relaciones amorosas y algo sobre el origen de Aster.
Mientras tanto hay un escenario político casi entre bastidores, que lamentablemente apenas se muestra y se insinúa con quienes no están satisfechos con el gobierno.
Bueno, a pesar de tener muchos clichés de otras historias distópicas, realmente disfruté esta historia. No sé si habrá continuación, pero la leería.
December 23, 2019
3.7 out of 5 stars
Artwork
The art was very fun and easy to read but I did want for more large dynamic illustrations, especially when it came to the games. Illustrations are one of the most important aspects to me in a comic and those I loved the images I do wish for moments of breaking the frame structure and playing a bit more with the composition of the whole page. I did enjoy how this comic in particular uses smaller frames to be able to establish the story/actions more. The images of fallen Paris were also incredible!
Story
The story was very interesting and the rules and laws of the land seem very compelling too. The surprise of what game ended up being the one to try a save Pan was great. I definitely had a laugh out loud moment. There was also a good amount of secret histories within this story which I enjoy, but I wish some of the secrets/history were still unknown. The ending disappointed me a little bit. It seems as if it was really obvious the family connection. Maybe, in the next volume, they'll play with that so I'm still hoping the outcome won't be so easy.
Characters
LOVE the diversity!! But I only wish that Aster could be a bit smarter at times as a kickass girl. Many of the side characters were very funny. The character development was quick as most comics are but I still thought this volume was a great introduction. I hope the next volume dives deeper into who they are and what they want.
I would definitely recommend this series!
Artwork
The art was very fun and easy to read but I did want for more large dynamic illustrations, especially when it came to the games. Illustrations are one of the most important aspects to me in a comic and those I loved the images I do wish for moments of breaking the frame structure and playing a bit more with the composition of the whole page. I did enjoy how this comic in particular uses smaller frames to be able to establish the story/actions more. The images of fallen Paris were also incredible!
Story
The story was very interesting and the rules and laws of the land seem very compelling too. The surprise of what game ended up being the one to try a save Pan was great. I definitely had a laugh out loud moment. There was also a good amount of secret histories within this story which I enjoy, but I wish some of the secrets/history were still unknown. The ending disappointed me a little bit. It seems as if it was really obvious the family connection. Maybe, in the next volume, they'll play with that so I'm still hoping the outcome won't be so easy.
Characters
LOVE the diversity!! But I only wish that Aster could be a bit smarter at times as a kickass girl. Many of the side characters were very funny. The character development was quick as most comics are but I still thought this volume was a great introduction. I hope the next volume dives deeper into who they are and what they want.
I would definitely recommend this series!
January 19, 2020
A strong 2 stars with an additional one based on concept and story potential. This is just the first instalment so much of the future plot has to be laid out to propel the story forwards.
Based in an isolated community that survives on its rich harvest of rice; they have no real strength other than their sense of community and hard work. They struggle with incursions from pirates but generally survive on trade through scrap metals and just about hold their own.
Then a neighbouring community tries to muscle in an offer an alliance and provide freedom from pirate attacks and for their protection they just want 25% of the rice harvest.
The council meet and although powerless to overcome their advances evoke an ancient right to judgement by a sporting trial.
They are naive and probably made matters worse as if they do not prevail their tribute rises to 50%.
The drawings are well supportive of the text as they create images of these post apocalyptic landscapes. There is enough for a continuing story with backstories for Aster and Juba. It struggles hopefully just because it is the first instalment and it would be my hope that things progress well in future comic books.
A dystopian scenario is an ideal backdrop for the basic story laments here that we can identify with in either history or modern day politics. So I am glad to say future episodes will be welcome by me and if they realise the foundation set here it will become a quality and much talked about graphic novel series.
Based in an isolated community that survives on its rich harvest of rice; they have no real strength other than their sense of community and hard work. They struggle with incursions from pirates but generally survive on trade through scrap metals and just about hold their own.
Then a neighbouring community tries to muscle in an offer an alliance and provide freedom from pirate attacks and for their protection they just want 25% of the rice harvest.
The council meet and although powerless to overcome their advances evoke an ancient right to judgement by a sporting trial.
They are naive and probably made matters worse as if they do not prevail their tribute rises to 50%.
The drawings are well supportive of the text as they create images of these post apocalyptic landscapes. There is enough for a continuing story with backstories for Aster and Juba. It struggles hopefully just because it is the first instalment and it would be my hope that things progress well in future comic books.
A dystopian scenario is an ideal backdrop for the basic story laments here that we can identify with in either history or modern day politics. So I am glad to say future episodes will be welcome by me and if they realise the foundation set here it will become a quality and much talked about graphic novel series.
February 10, 2020
Post-apocalyptic post-nuclear-war France! With apocalyptically appropriate ultra-dodgeball wedged in!
To be frank, the story isn't that incredible, but the world building is solid and I just love the art in this - a sort of lightly manga-influenced European style. The depictions of bombed out France are vivid, but it's especially the characters that are impressive.
To be frank, the story isn't that incredible, but the world building is solid and I just love the art in this - a sort of lightly manga-influenced European style. The depictions of bombed out France are vivid, but it's especially the characters that are impressive.
December 18, 2019
A different take on the post-apocalyptic book/story. I was okay in every aspects for me, nothing badly done, but nothing very great either. A very average comic book!
January 19, 2020
No, tady z tohoto komiksu plyne, že ne vše co je v akci na comixology je dobrý :D
January 24, 2021
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
At first I was skeptical of this book when i first opened it. I did not know if the art style was my style but after i started reading, I appreciated it more. This book follows the nation known as Pan. In Pan there is widespread poverty where food is hard to come by, and the residents go foraging for items to trade or sell for money. One day the nation of Fortuna come to Pan basically wanting to take rule over them. The citizens of Pan speak up and engage in a game called the Celestial Mechanics in order to fight for their freedom and escape the lingering future of being controlled by Fortuna. The tournament itself resembled dodgeball in a sense, where each member was considered out when the ball hit them and soon fell to the floor. I enjoyed reading about this tournament. I’ll admit though that it was hard to follow in a sense. While simplistic in the idea of the tournament, I felt as though there was little explanation about what was truly happening. I found myself having to figure out the rules of the game and understanding the quick transitions that took place. I wish that there was more description fo the tournament and that they would have lasted longer. Overall I enjoyed the story but felt that it was rushed. I would have liked maybe 30 more pages at the end after the tournament was completed to see what happened in the events that followed. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys futuristic stories and lovers of diverse art styles in graphic novels.
At first I was skeptical of this book when i first opened it. I did not know if the art style was my style but after i started reading, I appreciated it more. This book follows the nation known as Pan. In Pan there is widespread poverty where food is hard to come by, and the residents go foraging for items to trade or sell for money. One day the nation of Fortuna come to Pan basically wanting to take rule over them. The citizens of Pan speak up and engage in a game called the Celestial Mechanics in order to fight for their freedom and escape the lingering future of being controlled by Fortuna. The tournament itself resembled dodgeball in a sense, where each member was considered out when the ball hit them and soon fell to the floor. I enjoyed reading about this tournament. I’ll admit though that it was hard to follow in a sense. While simplistic in the idea of the tournament, I felt as though there was little explanation about what was truly happening. I found myself having to figure out the rules of the game and understanding the quick transitions that took place. I wish that there was more description fo the tournament and that they would have lasted longer. Overall I enjoyed the story but felt that it was rushed. I would have liked maybe 30 more pages at the end after the tournament was completed to see what happened in the events that followed. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys futuristic stories and lovers of diverse art styles in graphic novels.
June 9, 2020
3.5 stars
The art style was stunning. The story was a little challenging to follow, but after reading the summary, I get it a bit more. The second part of this volume, mostly the game, I feel does not follow Aster as much. I feel this could have a different title because while Aster is the MC, we are following the society of Pan and the games are going to dive into Juba and his story. Also the little reveal at the end, I totally called it, but I think she will be an interesting player in the overall story and Aster's character.
The art style was stunning. The story was a little challenging to follow, but after reading the summary, I get it a bit more. The second part of this volume, mostly the game, I feel does not follow Aster as much. I feel this could have a different title because while Aster is the MC, we are following the society of Pan and the games are going to dive into Juba and his story. Also the little reveal at the end, I totally called it, but I think she will be an interesting player in the overall story and Aster's character.
May 17, 2022
Really loved the world building, it's an excellent sci fi post apocalyptic story, with gorgeous water color illustrations, then it turns into a sci fi sports action story, loved the change.
January 29, 2021
An odd little graphic novel with some interesting world building, good art, and not the greatest execution. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.
It's 2068. Post-apocalypse, Pan is a small community that survives on foraging the dead world around them, farming rice, and trading. When a militaristic force from the land of Fortuna show up to take over, the people of Pan are forced into a trial to save themselves from being swallowed up by the more powerful Fortuna. Aster, the main character, wasn't born in Pan and thus is ostracized by the people of Pan, but she's still tapped to join the small group fighting for Pan. Because she's super talented at what they end up having to do. (And what they do? )
The world building is fun, if a little confusing and hard to believe; 2068 is not so far off into the future that people who survived a world-ending event wouldn't know about drones and different types of machines. It's hard to swallow the idea that the people of Pan find everything about Fortuna's "futuristic" technology completely alien. I assume that the world ended pretty close to our current time, since there are tanks and cities to scavenge and radiation is a huge problem. I just can't believe, then, that survivors would completely forget everything about our modern world in the way that it's presented in this story.
Suspension of disbelief aside, I found the actual world building great. (If the graphic novel didn't tell me it was 2068 when it started, I could fully believe this world existing in, say, 2168.) Following Aster and her friend Wallis throughout a typical day was a great way to see this post-apocalyptic world and to understand what their lives are like. They forage, they trade, they try to survive on what little they have. The art direction is fantastic; there are great panels and transitions that really show off what the world is like.
Pacing is the largest problem I had as we move on, however. We barely have time to settle in to the world before Fortuna shows up to demand subservience (and crops) and Pan is forced into fighting against them to survive. The change from slow world building to rapid fire plot movement gave me whiplash, and after that it moved at a breakneck pace until the end. Aster is great at what she does, they lose, they win, the final battle happens, some characterization takes place in there somewhere, and then the book ends and everything is wrapped up.
Setting the story and pacing problems aside, the art is great. Using watercolor gives it all a hazy tone that makes it easier to step into the world. The character work is SO good; almost everyone is their own person, with their own distinct look and feel. I think the dynamics of the action scenes could have been done better; they felt more like snapshots of moments than fluid movement, but I enjoyed it overall.
Ultimately I think this is a very fun idea that needed better execution. Given more time to breathe, it could have been a very good fleshed out story with more characterization to make us love the characters and the world.
I received this as an ARC via NetGalley.
It's 2068. Post-apocalypse, Pan is a small community that survives on foraging the dead world around them, farming rice, and trading. When a militaristic force from the land of Fortuna show up to take over, the people of Pan are forced into a trial to save themselves from being swallowed up by the more powerful Fortuna. Aster, the main character, wasn't born in Pan and thus is ostracized by the people of Pan, but she's still tapped to join the small group fighting for Pan. Because she's super talented at what they end up having to do. (And what they do? )
The world building is fun, if a little confusing and hard to believe; 2068 is not so far off into the future that people who survived a world-ending event wouldn't know about drones and different types of machines. It's hard to swallow the idea that the people of Pan find everything about Fortuna's "futuristic" technology completely alien. I assume that the world ended pretty close to our current time, since there are tanks and cities to scavenge and radiation is a huge problem. I just can't believe, then, that survivors would completely forget everything about our modern world in the way that it's presented in this story.
Suspension of disbelief aside, I found the actual world building great. (If the graphic novel didn't tell me it was 2068 when it started, I could fully believe this world existing in, say, 2168.) Following Aster and her friend Wallis throughout a typical day was a great way to see this post-apocalyptic world and to understand what their lives are like. They forage, they trade, they try to survive on what little they have. The art direction is fantastic; there are great panels and transitions that really show off what the world is like.
Pacing is the largest problem I had as we move on, however. We barely have time to settle in to the world before Fortuna shows up to demand subservience (and crops) and Pan is forced into fighting against them to survive. The change from slow world building to rapid fire plot movement gave me whiplash, and after that it moved at a breakneck pace until the end. Aster is great at what she does, they lose, they win, the final battle happens, some characterization takes place in there somewhere, and then the book ends and everything is wrapped up.
Setting the story and pacing problems aside, the art is great. Using watercolor gives it all a hazy tone that makes it easier to step into the world. The character work is SO good; almost everyone is their own person, with their own distinct look and feel. I think the dynamics of the action scenes could have been done better; they felt more like snapshots of moments than fluid movement, but I enjoyed it overall.
Ultimately I think this is a very fun idea that needed better execution. Given more time to breathe, it could have been a very good fleshed out story with more characterization to make us love the characters and the world.
I received this as an ARC via NetGalley.
September 22, 2024
I very much enjoyed Aster of Pan, since it's a dystopian comic with sports! The comic is set in 2068 after contamination has made many of the places inhabitable. Now the land is flooded and there's hardly any place to grow foods. The city of Pan survives by growing rice and it's raided by pirates all the time until the neighboring city of Fortuna demands foods for protection. Pan's last choice is to take part in an old ritualized game known as Celestial Mechanics that is a lot like... dodge ball! Our main hero is Aster and girl living in Pan, but not from Pan herself. I really liked the setting and how the story unfolds slowly. I really loved the pondering between Aster and Wallis and them wandering around so that we see the world. The rhythm is great, deliciously slow and beautiful.
The art is just perfect with blending watery colors, the scruffiness and the feeling of spring. Merwan manages to draw the games so that it looks like everything is moving, which is important when you draw sports. The characters have facial expressions and the world looks so interesting! I so want to know what happens, since this is something different and you cannot really have enough sports comics (that aren't sports comics per se), haha.
The art is just perfect with blending watery colors, the scruffiness and the feeling of spring. Merwan manages to draw the games so that it looks like everything is moving, which is important when you draw sports. The characters have facial expressions and the world looks so interesting! I so want to know what happens, since this is something different and you cannot really have enough sports comics (that aren't sports comics per se), haha.
March 27, 2021
Ok, kids, I really liked this one! The art is gobsmackingly gorgeous, and has a Moebius vibe to it. The landscapes of post-apocalyptic France are just stunning, and the characters look great. I enjoyed the story too- I liked that it didn't give us a full explanation of how the world got to the point it's at, rather it gave us what the current inhabitants know of their world, while hinting at things for the reader. This method is satisfying to me; I don't like to know too much, I feel more "in the world" if I only know what the characters know. Here we have the small nation of Pan fighting back against the more powerful nation of Fortuna to avoid getting colonized, and to win their freedom, Pan must win a Celestial Mechanics tournament, which is basically amped up dodgeball. Of course, a hero rises up, someone who can be the symbol of the revolution. Is the story terribly original? No, but it's a good story nonetheless. The world building is well done (by my above standards), the characters fairly fleshed out, though more explanation of the game and its rules would've been nice. I'd give the story 4 stars, but this book gets 5 stars overall because of that sweet, sweet art! Just beautiful.
#AsterofPan #NetGalley
#AsterofPan #NetGalley
December 17, 2019
The premise was interesting but if this is to be a series I feel that it should have used most of its 100 page length to flesh out Pan as a society. When the more advanced civilizations arrived I was unsure why I should care if Pan was taken over or not because with the exception of our protagonist and her friend everyone else kinda seems terrible. It then quickly turned into a sports book with no setup so I was also confused by what the tone and genre is supposed to be. Merwan's art is wonderful and unique that makes the book stand out from an artistic point.
January 8, 2020
(revjewed for an ARC received through NetGalley)
Great artwork with soft, pastel-ish coloring and skilled perspectives. The stories revolve around a post-apocalyptic land with small, isolated communities dealing with a more powerful one, intent on dominating the smaller ones. The turn toward a more straightforward sports theme for the last 3rd of the story is surprising and a little hard to comprehend, but at least the artwork stays good throughout the book.
Great artwork with soft, pastel-ish coloring and skilled perspectives. The stories revolve around a post-apocalyptic land with small, isolated communities dealing with a more powerful one, intent on dominating the smaller ones. The turn toward a more straightforward sports theme for the last 3rd of the story is surprising and a little hard to comprehend, but at least the artwork stays good throughout the book.
December 18, 2019
(4.5) This was so fun! I really loved Aster and I mean,,,maybe I’m the WORST but I love dodgeball so that was pretty great for me 🤷🏼♀️ This volume sets up a series that has a TON of potential and now I’m really excited to see where it goes next!
ARC received from Net galley in exchange for an honest review ♥️📖✨
ARC received from Net galley in exchange for an honest review ♥️📖✨
December 14, 2019
Full review to come!
January 31, 2021
I am first attracted to comics by their visual appeal, and this post-apocalyptic one looked so pretty I had to read it. The European drawing style means the visual are very high quality, the two main characters are charming and the world is a post-apocalyptic survival story in a flooded parisian suburb.
The very first few pictures welcome you into an extremely dynamic world, with our hero jumping, running and crashing. You can picture perfectly the smooth action, like a film. The colouring is complexe and lively, it looks like real water colour, very talented and professional. The earthy tones are vibrant with life and it really looks like setting sun hues on everything. It is impossible not to be impressed by such craftsmanship. The backgrounds of both natural and dystopian cities are stunning.
The hint of the romance is adorable, and for once started by the male character. I thought the story would be one thing, but I turned out to be pretty wrong. We follow Astar, an energetic girl in a trib-like place suddenly taken over by a technologically advanced one. When the story suddenly swerves into the sporting arena style I was just baffled. While I love SF and fantasy, I have little interest in sports fiction so it was hard to keep me interested. I think this is very much geared at teen boys: amazing graphics, lots of action (pirates, army fights, internal quarrel, corruption, civil unrest…), sports action, humour, fierce pretty girls, father/son relationship, brothers relationship… there is something of War of the Flies, if they had been playing dodgeball. It’s an unlikely combo, not exactly for me, but I’m sure it will convert a lot of people drawn in by the strong graphic. I’m glad lots of european comics are getting translated because there is a lot of talent over there and it’s good to see something different.
The very first few pictures welcome you into an extremely dynamic world, with our hero jumping, running and crashing. You can picture perfectly the smooth action, like a film. The colouring is complexe and lively, it looks like real water colour, very talented and professional. The earthy tones are vibrant with life and it really looks like setting sun hues on everything. It is impossible not to be impressed by such craftsmanship. The backgrounds of both natural and dystopian cities are stunning.
The hint of the romance is adorable, and for once started by the male character. I thought the story would be one thing, but I turned out to be pretty wrong. We follow Astar, an energetic girl in a trib-like place suddenly taken over by a technologically advanced one. When the story suddenly swerves into the sporting arena style I was just baffled. While I love SF and fantasy, I have little interest in sports fiction so it was hard to keep me interested. I think this is very much geared at teen boys: amazing graphics, lots of action (pirates, army fights, internal quarrel, corruption, civil unrest…), sports action, humour, fierce pretty girls, father/son relationship, brothers relationship… there is something of War of the Flies, if they had been playing dodgeball. It’s an unlikely combo, not exactly for me, but I’m sure it will convert a lot of people drawn in by the strong graphic. I’m glad lots of european comics are getting translated because there is a lot of talent over there and it’s good to see something different.
June 29, 2020
The drawings are very good and, most of the time, the watercolor technique is good (except with the night time bits). The storytelling is solid through well-managed shots and page layouts. This action-packed comic has some cool shots.
Probably one of the best features of the two books is the characters. The protagonist Aster is funny and well rounded as well as most of the characters that we meet. In this sense, the worldbuilding is big and well thought although we see only a small part of it. I hope the author revisits this storyworld because there are surely more stories to tell. Besides, these two books left a lot of unanswered questions that need to be addressed in future tomes.
The story is basically a post-apocalyptic narrative where people are trying to rebuild upon the rubble of a fallen society. A small village - Pan - is threatened by a bigger nation and a game must be played in order to decide what happens to Pan. In a way, it reminded me a bit of "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind". For those who still didn't read this story, I highly recommend it. The two volumes are available at the Europe Comics website (www.europecomics.com/serie/aster-of-pan).
Probably one of the best features of the two books is the characters. The protagonist Aster is funny and well rounded as well as most of the characters that we meet. In this sense, the worldbuilding is big and well thought although we see only a small part of it. I hope the author revisits this storyworld because there are surely more stories to tell. Besides, these two books left a lot of unanswered questions that need to be addressed in future tomes.
The story is basically a post-apocalyptic narrative where people are trying to rebuild upon the rubble of a fallen society. A small village - Pan - is threatened by a bigger nation and a game must be played in order to decide what happens to Pan. In a way, it reminded me a bit of "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind". For those who still didn't read this story, I highly recommend it. The two volumes are available at the Europe Comics website (www.europecomics.com/serie/aster-of-pan).
November 23, 2020
A comic taking place in 2068, in the post- apocalyptic society of Pan.
The people that survived are now trying to stay alive pla ting rice and scavenging among the ruins of a destroyed civilization. Until one day a powerful, technologically advanced Federation forces them to take part in a game to save their lives.
This comic was definitely entertaining and I absolutely loved the outcast Aster for just being her. I will continue with the series because the ending screamed for more! The art style is definitely beautiful (I mean look at the cover??). A comic that I really enjoyed and would reccomend :)
The people that survived are now trying to stay alive pla ting rice and scavenging among the ruins of a destroyed civilization. Until one day a powerful, technologically advanced Federation forces them to take part in a game to save their lives.
This comic was definitely entertaining and I absolutely loved the outcast Aster for just being her. I will continue with the series because the ending screamed for more! The art style is definitely beautiful (I mean look at the cover??). A comic that I really enjoyed and would reccomend :)
January 27, 2021
2, maybe 2.5 stars
— Thank you NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributers for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review —
If you like dodgeball, this one is for you. This is a cute graphic novel with a beautiful art style, but ultimately I feel it lacked a lot of depth and is overall unmemorable. The fact that such a major conflict was settled with dodgeball just didn’t feel believable to me. I also didn’t connect with any of the characters or really understand any of the side plot lines (like the cheating one? It felt random and unnecessary). I’m glad this graphic novel worked for others, but it just wasn’t for me
— Thank you NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributers for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review —
If you like dodgeball, this one is for you. This is a cute graphic novel with a beautiful art style, but ultimately I feel it lacked a lot of depth and is overall unmemorable. The fact that such a major conflict was settled with dodgeball just didn’t feel believable to me. I also didn’t connect with any of the characters or really understand any of the side plot lines (like the cheating one? It felt random and unnecessary). I’m glad this graphic novel worked for others, but it just wasn’t for me
June 6, 2021
*I received this book as an eARC from Magnetic Press via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It's 2068 and the world is very different. It's a post-apocalyptical world where a certain sport has become a ritual ceremony. I'd say this story is The Hunger Games meets dodgeball. The artwork is great with plenty of fun colors. This is a wacky cool concept, but I found myself bored while reading. The combination of military and sports just don't vibe with me well.
I could absolutely see this graphic novel adapted into an action packed film. I give this book a 3/5.
It's 2068 and the world is very different. It's a post-apocalyptical world where a certain sport has become a ritual ceremony. I'd say this story is The Hunger Games meets dodgeball. The artwork is great with plenty of fun colors. This is a wacky cool concept, but I found myself bored while reading. The combination of military and sports just don't vibe with me well.
I could absolutely see this graphic novel adapted into an action packed film. I give this book a 3/5.
January 24, 2021
I went back and forth between giving this 2 stars and giving it 3.
This story took a different turn than I expected it to. The majority of it ended up being basically a dystopian version of dodgeball. Parts of it had a hunger games feel.
I found myself wanting the story to be a little more in depth. Which might be good because I’m more likely to read more in this series in the future. I need answers.
I really like the world building, and I loved the artwork. Aster is instantly lovable, although annoyingly naive at times.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this!
This story took a different turn than I expected it to. The majority of it ended up being basically a dystopian version of dodgeball. Parts of it had a hunger games feel.
I found myself wanting the story to be a little more in depth. Which might be good because I’m more likely to read more in this series in the future. I need answers.
I really like the world building, and I loved the artwork. Aster is instantly lovable, although annoyingly naive at times.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange of my honest opinion.
This was so nice and so much fun and someone needs to turn it into an animated TV show because it would be sensational.
It was hard at first to get into the story or care about the characters, as you have no context or idea what's going on, but soon you learn bits and pieces about the state of the world. My favourite part was the sport competition, of course! It was brilliant and I did not expect it to be so invested in a sport game in a comic book format. Brilliant!
This was so nice and so much fun and someone needs to turn it into an animated TV show because it would be sensational.
It was hard at first to get into the story or care about the characters, as you have no context or idea what's going on, but soon you learn bits and pieces about the state of the world. My favourite part was the sport competition, of course! It was brilliant and I did not expect it to be so invested in a sport game in a comic book format. Brilliant!
January 21, 2021
I received this graphic novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I’m rating this 3.5/5 stars! The art style was stunning and the main reason why I enjoyed it. The storyline was also interesting and I liked the concept of high stakes dodge ball in a dystopian future. It was very creative and unique. I would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy dystopian futures with an added element of a game.
December 3, 2020
I loved the art in this book, which reminded me of Moebius with its detail and style. The characters are full of personality, depth, and also quirks. I like the balance of adventure and struggle in a time of limited resources. There are the usual selfish and demented future people, but there are a few generous and positive people as well.
January 25, 2021
Just when you thought that post-apocalyptic science fiction was a tired and worn out genre along comes Aster of Pan. I surprising cocktail of two parts Mad Max and one part Rollerball and one part Moebius. This came out of nowhere. I love it!
January 18, 2021
the Dodgeball part is pretty stupid and not a good premiss to hinge the story on.
January 18, 2021
I loved everything about it! I loved the detail in the comic, the storyline, the characters, everything. Definitely recommend for a sci-fi graphic novel.
Best,
Emma
Best,
Emma
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