Simon Spurrier ( The Spire, Godshaper ) and Matias Bergara ( Cannibal, Supergirl ) present a broken fantasy world that's perfect for fans of Mad Max and The Lord of the Rings.
In the aftermath of an apocalypse which wiped out nearly all magic from a once-wondrous fantasy world, a former bard named Hum (a man of few words, so nicknamed because his standard reply is hmh) seeks a way to save the soul of his wife with nothing but a foul-tempered mutant unicorn and his wits to protect him...but is unwillingly drawn into a brutal power struggle which will decide forever who rules the Weird Wasteland.
Oversized first issue, with 40 pag more
But with a foul-mouthed pentacorn who revels in destruction, a hedonistic mermaid (aptly and hilariously named Murkrone), and Three Stooge-like caricatures of paladins, how can you not want more? Spurrier and Bergara have created a masterpiece that uses orcs and dragons to pull on our deepest human instincts. CODA challenges us to be truly honest, even in a world of fantasy. Read Full Review
Coda #1 is a modern fairy tale for our world as it is today. Readers of all shapes and sizes will find something in this world that they can relate to and be entertained by. Spurrier has created a world, situation, and characters that promise a bright future. Read Full Review
Fantasy enthusiasts looking for a fresh take on an old genre will find "Coda" #1 a dazzling read, but the inventive premise, flawless narrative execution, and eye-popping visuals may even win over the most ardent fantasy-phobes. Read Full Review
Coda looks to be another hit for BOOM! Studios. Read Full Review
Coda #1 invites you to a cruel and decaying world with a cynical and duplicitous hero. That said, Sir Hum is compelling and interesting, and the world seems like it could only get more engrossing from here. Simon Spurrier and Matias Bergara knocked it out of the park with this comic. Give it a read. Read Full Review
This first issue is fantastic creating a world that is begging to be explored and characters that make it entertaining. There's a lots of fantasy out there but this debut manages to find more than enough that feels new and unique to make it stand out from the pack. Read Full Review
This was a really intriguing start to a new series. At first I didn't think I was going to enjoy it (I actually put it down two pages in for a break before I continued), but once I got into the swing of things I found myself really invested in the world being developed here. I was absolutely shocked and horrified by the end revelation, which means they did their job right. I wonder how much of the rest of the world is just as twisted as that. Read Full Review
Matias Bergara brings it all together with a perfect balance of the fantastical and ugly, a sensibility revealed in a cursing, fighting Pentacorn that will likely have readers begging for more. Read Full Review
Honestly, I'm not attached to Hum so much as I am attached to the world being built with Coda. As jaded and disengaged as the main character is, I found myself alight with interest exploring this new world that the creative team has crafted. Like the rest of these fantasy characters, I'm crying out for more magic in the upcoming issues. Be sure to read through to the end of this oversized first issue for that gut-swooping hook that will definitely have readers eagerly awaiting more. Read Full Review
Going into this title with high hopes, I have to say that it left me quite flat and a bit disappointed. The art is not without its charms after a degree of acclimatization. The writing, however, was the real let down. While the immersive experience approach can be a neat trick at times in comic book writing, I just felt that this book expected too much of the reader. For me, it was like getting tossed into the deep end of a swimming pool without ever having had swimming lessons. Not pleasant, and I'm not inclined to come back for more. Read Full Review
Not much to say other than I loved pretty much everything about this. I'm already fully invested in this world and in our main character's story. The writing is funny as hell but with somber emotional undertones, and the art is absolutely terrific. Can't wait to see where this goes. I do believe I'm in for a treat.
This comic is bright. It has these beautiful neon acid trip landscapes and images. A big contrast to the whole apocalypse thing. The writing is both soliloquy and punk rock. The characters are bursting with in-depth backstory and comedic value. This is a beautiful comic all the way around. We follow our loner anti hero on a magically apocalyptic journey to find magic and love in a world that is severely lacking both. All while contemplating the new world order with his old world skill of writing. This intro issue sets that stage with out spoon-feeding us information we already understand about apocalyptic worlds. But we still have moments in the story you have to re-read to really get what the hell is going on. giving you the feeling that t more
A fantastic start!
I gambled on this title after reading a couple pages in a preview and it paid off in a big way. Coda has that Don Bluth 80's rotoscope animation quality. Fantasy back then blended the magical with a hint of horror that kept you slightly on edge. This book took me right back to that place in a wonderful new way. I am vested in discovering more of the protagonist. The world is interesting and has me wanting to explore more. This is the best introduction to a new IP I've read in quite a while.
Amazing world building, a complex protagonist, and just enough of that Spurrier WTF that the world needs more of. The art captures this running down post-apoc fantasy world perfectly. The extra length of this first issue really makes the $4 cover price worth it for once. 20 pages for $4 is always a hard sell, meaning sadly, as much as I love this first issue. I'll likely be waiting for digital price drops of subsequent ones.
There's some great dialogue setting up Coda. From the fixations of a talking dragon corpse on page one to the short-lived, one-sided negotiations with a robber on page two, the dialogue feels natural and vibrant. Our protagonists voice-over efficiently conveys his position in the post-apocalyptic world, a mix of resignation and discomfort and stubbornness.
"The old world was beautiful and bright and crazy and brave. Mostly I hated it. And then it ended."
It looks great, too. Not just the art, but the words on page. They seem to carry the voice of the characters along with the action.
And there is a lot of action. In one scene, a band of robbers jab hypodermics into their beastly mounts, jolting them into the more
Really enjoyed this one. Plentiful world-building going on here but I never felt overwhelmed, just intrigued. Found myself laughing quite a bit as well. Certainly set in a "broken fantasy world" but not weighed down by it.
This is a solid first issue. The art is flat-out gorgeous and unique, which really helps play to the story's strengths. The writing can be a bit overbearing, but it is being used to set up an interesting story and world, so it all seems appropriate. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy, flawed protagonists, violent unicorns, post-apocalypses, or all of the above!
This is a really good book. Those who enjoy fantasy would like it. The art is gorgeous and colourful. It's really well done. Some of the text was a bit sketchy to read though. This looks like it may very well be a good story.
Good stuff. Can't wait for issue #2.
The constant meta jabs grow tiresome after a while. And I'm certain this issue did not need to be this long. That being said--Bergara's art is some of 2018's best. This almost feels like a Remender comic.
Coda #1 (2018) by Simon Spurrier & Matias Bergara (BOOM!)
I noticed Coda received a 3.9 on Goodreads, 4.3 on Amazon, and an 8.5 Critic Rating on Comic Book Round Up.
I gave this series a try after reading their later collaboration, “Step by Bloody Step”. I really wanted to like “Step by Bloody Step” but just had a hard time appreciating the narrative pacing and execution. I thought it might be worth reading something by the creators without the limitation/benefit of the silent gimmick. Alas, similar to their other collaboration, I just had a hard time buying into the finished product.
Convoluted, no background info. Boring beyond belief.
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