Member's Choice: March - Sfeer Theory

[Kristen]

Discuss this month's Member's Choice, Sfeer Theory, here! Chosen by this month's Wonderful Wonderlander, Mike!

Sfeer Theory is the biography of a semi-immortal wizard named Balzac whose duty is to uphold and guard an empire, by way of a magical version of Atlas. The Uitspan Era addresses the beginning of his livelihood, and the Uitspan Age addresses the possible end of it.

[Kristen]

I absolutely adore Sfeer Theory: it's one of my favorite webcomics. I'm crazy about the artist, Jayd Aït-Kaci. I follow her deviantArt and her tumbler just so I can see her gorgeous art all the time.

[Mike]

Really looking forward to this - the concept always sounded interesting but I haven't gotten around to reading. I had no idea it was the same artist as The Fox Sister! She has a fantastic style. Even more excited now. :)

[Mike]

Finished Catalogue 1. Whatever I was expecting, this wasn't it. I don't mean that in a bad way though - really liking the comic, it just kind of surprised me in tone and story approach.

My review.

[Mike]

Finished Catalogue 2, which was in some ways a completely different comic. Again, not a criticism, but this was extremely dark and heavy. Much closer to what I was expecting in the first place actually. Despite the huge difference in tone and subject matter it still "felt" the same and that everything will fit eventually. Great stuff.

Though at this storytelling pace I'm rather disappointed that this is all there is. At a comic a week with breaks between we're looking at about a year per Catalogue. Definitely willing to wait for quality but I don't know if I'll enjoy this as much a page at a time, so I'll likely pop back every few months to read in a batch.

[Kristen]

I just reread the first Catalogue last night. I can't get over how pretty it is! Have you ever had a moment where the only way you could express yourself properly was through weird noises and waving your arms around? That's how I feel about Jayd's art. I love the way she does exasperated, indignant and offended expressions. I love the color palette she chose(I think she's the colorist. I'm not 100% on that). I love the way she draw noses and hair. Gah! I can't take it! It's too pretty!

Sorry for gushing...

[Mike]

I'm in total agreement - the art's amazing, particularly in the expressions (as you mentioned). The coloring is really impressive. The range of colors used while still keeping the hues subdued and a "dark" atmosphere to the comic is incredible.

So feel free to keep gushing! :)

[Madeleine]

I love the art, but I found it slow going to start and somewhat confusing. I would have liked the explanation of what Sfeer Theory is more upfront in stead of spending so much time with this guy just getting to work. He mentions a wife that doesn't want him around, but I'd like to see him interact in some sort of relationship before Balzac. I don't really get a sense of who he is other than a mildly disgruntled lab tech with secret abilities. Stories are about relationships and we are just getting the beginnings of one at the end of the first chapter.

What do other people think?

[Mike]

It's definitely slow in pace and I wish there was (a lot) more. The first chapter is odd in tone and pacing but I liked it. It is even more jarring when compared to the second, in which a lot happens. Although I'm talking events, not character developments per se.

That said, I got the feeling that the storytelling here is geared for the long haul (particularly given the premise summary). I'm picturing 15+ chapters per age.

The first chapter seems to be meant to tease the main character as a normal point of view character (view spoiler)[before revealing that there's something special to him. This format precludes a lot of info about him, because that would spoil the "surprise" (hide spoiler)]. It also drops some hints as to what awaits. Both chapters read like prologues. Between the two I'm very intrigued for the "real story" to get going. I personally feel like the core relationships necessary to anchor the series are planned and will eventually be revealed.

Of course I'm probably completely wrong on some points - at a page a week, breaks between chapters and the page count for chapters 1 and 2, the comic will take roughly a year per chapter, putting my estimate of what it will take to tell at this pace pretty much the authors life's work...

[Kristen]

Madeleine wrote: "He mentions a wife that doesn't want him around, but I'd like to see him interact in some sort of relationship before Balzac."

From what I've gathered from reading the FAQ, Sfeer Theory was originally written to be an m/m romance and will still feature elements of one. It is possible the Luca is intended to have a relationship with Balzac, which would explain why they mentioned that his wife didn't really care about him. I think that relationship(romantic or not) is going to be a plot point later. I also think that there is a reason why Luca doesn't have any relationships before he meets Balzac. It's to emphasis that he doesn't fit in and he isn't viewed as important enough to notice. He's an introvert in a school full of crazy extroverts. He feels awkward and alienated by them. They also think they are above him, not only for his position as a lab tech, but because of where he is from. So, yeah. I think the lack of relationships so far has a purpose and I think we will see more character development later.

Mike wrote: "I got the feeling that the storytelling here is geared for the long haul (particularly given the premise summary). I'm picturing 15+ chapters per age."

I think this is going to be long, too. We're two chapters in and haven't gotten to the plot yet. A bit unfortunate, really, as the update schedule is pretty slow. Understandably so. Jayd works on quite a lot of projects. I don't mind the slow pace. I have faith in these two that more character development will come later.

[Kristen]

I am so glad that Luca is back. As much as I loved the last chapter, I really missed him. He's probably in my top 5 favorite webcomic characters. Ever.

[Mike]

Luca's back!? Awesome. :) Sounds like another comic I have to get caught up on (man that list is getting LONG...)