Isola #1
| Writer | Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl |
| Artist | Karl Kerschl |
| Cover Price | $3.99 |
Childhood friends BRENDEN FLETCHER (MOTOR CRUSH) and Eisner Award-winning storyteller KARL KERSCHL (Gotham Academy) reunite on the comics page with a breathtaking fantasy adventure two decades in the making! The captain of the Royal Guard has fled the capital city with the Queen of Maar, suffering under the effects of an evil spell. Captain Rook's only hope of returning Queen Olwyn to her throne and saving the kingdom from impending war lies on an island half a world away-a place known in myth as Isola, land of the dead. Featuring lush color work by MSASSYK (Gotham Academy) and letters by ADITYA BIDIKAR (MOTOR CRUSH). Recommended for fans of more
CRITIC REVIEWS
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10
Comicosity - Mexi Gremillion
Mar 16, 2018Read ISOLA when it comes out. Read it. Its a fantastical world with a tremendous amount of well-done worldbuilding and definitely has several mysteries to solve in the upcoming issues. I highly recommend it. Read Full Review
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10
ComicBook.com - Jenna Anderson
Apr 04, 2018While there's no telling exactly where the story is headed, readers will hopefully follow the lead of Rook and Olwyn, and hold faith in whatever comes next. Read Full Review
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10
CourtOfNerds - Grant Stoye
Apr 07, 2018I apologize if this review isnt offering up specific details, but thats solely because this is a book that needs to be seen to be believed; the careful bits of information are released with intention, the small mysteries of reader revelation, and a world so vivid that you can hear the rain falling in the frames. Isola has magic in its pages, and it should be in every set of hands that crave a true departure from our reality. Read Full Review
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9.8
Comicsverse - Molly Barnewitz
Mar 12, 2018Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl's epic journey begins in ISOLA #1. The Image Comics series features fantastic world building, with mesmerizing landscapes and animals. Kerschl's artwork perfectly captures Fletcher's well crafted characters and their dangerous quest. Read Full Review
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9.6
You Don't Read Comics - Kevin A. Kimball
Apr 04, 2018With that, Isola successfully sets the hook. It should be quite enjoyable to see the events that got Captain Rook and the tiger, Queen Olwyn, to this juncture, as well as to join them as they embark on the road ahead. The richness of the world, the long journey spanning the continent, and the evolution of Rook are set up in such a way that passing on this book simply isnt an option. Read Full Review
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9.2
Weird Science - Andrew McAvoy
Apr 07, 2018Bits and Pieces:Not only was this a magnificent book, but it was a work of art. A great start to a series which, if the standard of this opening issue is anything to go by, will be one that collectors will seek out in a future high-quality trade publication to grace their bookshelves and share with their children. It is something special, not often seen. Read Full Review
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9.0
Bounding Into Comics - John F. Trent
Mar 06, 2018Isola #1 is a stand-out issue. Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl introduce us to a rich world with interesting characters who have quite a bit of depth to them. There's also quite a bit of mystery to discovery. As the issue comes to a close you are left wondering what happened to Olwyn, who are the hunters, and who is this mysterious shaman like character. It definitely makes me want to pick up the second issue to find out more about these characters and this world. The way the book is written and drawn is almost cinematic. You can almost see the action in motion as you flip through the pages. I definitely recommend you check out Isola #1. Read Full Review
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9.0
All-Comic - Jessica Petrecz
Mar 12, 2018Great comics are hard to find, but this one will jump out at you on the shelves with its mesmerizing art and gripping story. Read Full Review
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9.0
Outright Geekery - Aaron Kessel
Mar 15, 2018Isola is the new Image Comics series by Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl. A fantasy/adventure that features a royal guard and her queen, who has become a tigress, traveling to the lost land of Isola to save the kingdom. Read Full Review
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9.0
Bleeding Cool - Joshua Davison
Apr 03, 2018Isola #1 is visually stunning first outing for Brenden Fletcher, Kerschl, and MSASSYK. The story is interesting and leaves just enough clues to leave you wanting more. The art is beautiful and weaves a world both familiar and wildly distinct from our own. The pacing is good, and the world of the book brings the term atmospheric to a new level. This one gets a recommendation. Check it out. Read Full Review
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9.0
AIPT - Matt Funk
Apr 04, 2018Isola #1 is an incredibly promising debut to a refreshingly smart and stylish fantasy adventure. Read Full Review
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9.0
Spartantown - Enrique Rea
Apr 04, 2018'Isola' is a sweeping fantasy that immerses the reader immediately with stunning visual storytelling. It's as though each panel is an animation cell all its own. Coupled with a mysterious curse and an intriguing mission, 'Isola' is off to an impressive start. It's a must-have title that's as imaginative and expertly executed as you'll find in comics this year. Read Full Review
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9.0
Black Nerd Problems - Jordan Calhoun
Apr 04, 2018Until Isola shares more with readers there's little else we can share here, but consider us interested in a visually stunning and imaginative series that, if previous works are any indication, will have also be full of heart. Reading Isola? Stay tuned to our reviews of the series, and an interview with Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl coming soon. Read Full Review
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8.8
Monkeys Fighting Robots - Matthew Sardo
Mar 12, 2018Overall, Kerschl's art leads the way as Fletcher slowly reveals the world. Issue one is a must read, but issue two really needs to dig its claws into the reader. Read Full Review
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8.5
The Brazen Bull - Dave Robbins
Apr 02, 2018This epic adventure is just beginning, but the characters are appealing enough and there is enough mystery to bring readers back for more. Combined with lush artwork Isola is a treat worth experiencing. Read Full Review
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8.5
On Comics Ground - Sadie Kelly
Apr 06, 2018Although a satisfying read, Issue #1 of Isola left me with several questions. Why were Rook and Queen Olwyn exiled? How did Queen Olwyn become a tiger? What was the giant corpse creature? What is the place known as "Isola", and what is its importance? This first issue did a splendid job of getting me hooked enough to want to read on to find the answers to these questions. Read Full Review
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8.5
Multiversity Comics - Mark Tweedale
Apr 06, 2018An elegant opening to the series. "Isola" looks gorgeous, but more importantly, those gorgeous visuals are dense with story and character. Read Full Review
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8.0
Comic Bastards - Sam King
Apr 04, 2018Overall, this is a good start to the series and it does a lot to get progress going. There is plenty of clear conflict for both main characters, there is a lot of wonderful artwork to enjoy, and the story seems to be heading in an enjoyable direction so far. Read Full Review
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8.0
Doom Rocket - Brendan F. Hodgdon
Apr 10, 2018The more series like Isola there are out there, the better the medium will ultimately be. Read Full Review
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7.0
Newsarama - David Pepose
Apr 03, 2018So far, Isola feels less like a narrative journey and more of an art exhibition for Kerschl's prodigious skills - and while that'll hook in diehards like me just based on the sheer skill of his artistry, you can bet there will be plenty more who won't take the bait. Read Full Review
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3.0
Comic Book Corps - Michael Jones
Apr 04, 2018While not the strongest debut for the Fletcher/Kerschl team, they manage to set up just enough that I'm curious to see what the next issue has in store for me. Issue 2 definitely needs to strengthen the hook that Fletcher has set for his readers. When all is said and done with this series, I suspect it will be highly satisfying to consume in trade form, given the slow build. Read Full Review
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N/A
GWW - D. Ivester
Apr 03, 2018
USER REVIEWS
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9.5
Left me wanting more. Fans of Hayo Miazakis works will love this book.
+ Like • Comment• Likes (1) -
9.5
The next Saga? probably not, but still REALLY good.
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9.0
Great art and minimalist storytelling create a pretty atmospheric comic. I'm impressed.
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9.0
Great issue. The artwork is really good, that's for sure. Animal lovers will definitely like this issue. Not much for text though, it's more of a visual journey. The kids will probably like this.
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9.0
Gorgeous artwork and some nice world-building create a fascinating first issue. I picked this up thanks to the high rating on here; so glad I did.
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8.0
Gorgeous art with a very clean panel layout. The backgrounds and setting are beautiful and there is a great sense of action and movement in the panels. For a #1 issue though the plot was pretty thin. When setting up some world building I think it would make sense to have done some opening dialogue or prose or even mid issue explanation to give the world more depth. I'm thinking of Monstress or Seven to Eternity. Any comic that has a map of the world you would think would give the readers more to sink their teeth into. Instead we get a preview of the next issue with no dialogue - if you aren't already taken in by the art i'm not sure why you'd want to see a few more panels!! Hopefully later issues include some backmatter or foreward more
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8.0
The artwork is jaw-dropping, especially on the tiger, I'm impressed! The description in the solicitation provides some context, but the reader is otherwise dropped head first into the plot and needs to either sink or swim. Personally, I picked up on enough of what is going on, and would encourage fans of fantasy to check this out and give it a few issues to flesh out additional context.
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8.0
Great art, interesting worldbuilding and characters that express themselves without talking,most of the time.
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6.0
Not my thing, but maybe yours? Seemingly pointless fantasy.
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6.0
The art is gorgeous, but that's all this book has to offer. If you REALLY like high fantasy this may be for you, but otherwise pass because the story tell is poor.
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5.0
What was that. I didn't understand a thing. Nicely done to put me in the dark and even plunge my head in the water for drown me. Seriously. I know at the start that have to be a dream (But not shure) but after that, one of the character disappear and the end with the wolf (I only see now it was for next issue). Cover - Nice but not related to what I read. 1/2 Story - It would be nice to have the character tell us what it was all about. 1/3 Arts - Very nice, but that will not make me less frustrated to not understand a thing. But more ! 3/3 Feeling - Not friendly to make me believe I want to stay around more. 0/2
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5.0
BORING! (Read in Homer Simpson's voice) Story: 4/10 Art: 8/10 Overall: 5/10 Story: I read this twice. I had to. The first time 'reading' it (I use quotations because this is just a picture book) I would have rated this book a 2. There's nothing to it... aaaand it feels flat! I skipped ahead and have read issue 2, and it gets kind of better? But, not really. It's not garbage writing, it's just basic. This is a basic story. Art: It's beautiful, but being an original Gotham Academy fan, having met Fletcher and Kerschl, I've seen them do better, a lot better. Overall: I say you can rip through this pretty easily, and with the 2nd time reading, it evoked a stronger Samurai Jack feeling, but without the charm. That's what it's mi more
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10
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9.0
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8.5
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8.0
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8.0
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8.0
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7.5
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7.0
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7.0
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6.0
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4.0
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