Artichoke Knight Review - Buddy Comedy, Fantasy and Unwavering Positivity

How about a story of mysteries from a time ago of yore? Like the mystery of the chef-knights, the mystery of Rumbaba, the mystery of what lies East, a story of ambition, childhood friends and chasing big dreams? A story full of heart in bright, well-delivered art?? Serve something special up with Artichoke Knight by Alex Newton.

Alex Newton is a creative writer, artist, and, well, creator. Rumoured to be heading for the darkest corner of the universe, although almost certainly, definitely, their full-time, absolutely serious, perfect impersonator exists in South London. Alex's previous works include Zero, You Will Always Be My Hero, Colourless Green, Nightmare Kazoo, Single Point Of Failure and Freelancer. Enigmatic enigma education established, we'll do that thing we do.

So, let's start with the art. Alex Newton has a bold and fun Anime influenced style full of fun quality and a quality of fun. It has pretty solid technical foundations and makes up for its rough edges by delivering big on ideas.

It's a very interesting ability to manage. Even in its simplest or roughest moments of execution, there's still a very strong sense of 'oh, I see what you're going for here'. I'm not saying this art has any trouble conveying its story. More that, at times, it's trying to do more than it's quite capable of. Its endearing quality plays heavily into the sense of enjoyment here. A quality further bolstered by strong, bright colours that add up to a sense of whimsy and enjoyment.

Alex does a very good job of landing physical comedy moments in their art with great skill, delivery and effect. Solid delivery, quality comedy and big ambition in art. That's what Artichoke Knight brings to the page. On to the story and heart.

Alex Newton's art presents with an interesting, endearing emotional attachment. Alex's storytelling reveals a strength of emotional depth and a solid gold quality heart capable of interesting big ideas and delivering strong and important morals through inventive myth. Principally Artichoke Knight is a tale of the pursuit of success, dreams of, execution of, pathway to, trappings of, shadows cast by etc, wrapped in a fun buddy comedy adventure. There are some interesting mystery elements, an examination of doubt and self-worth, and some silly culinary endeavours. Add the best laid plans of friends that drink, a one-trick town, and the relentless drive of ambition.

If some of that sounds a bit heavy, the actual delivery of this one is of constant uplifting enterprise. It has a strong emphasis on silly and fun moments and unwavering positivity. There's something overwhelmingly optimistic about this book in the most infectious way. It serves as a healthy antidote to these often less than excellent times.

This is an ultimately useful, often vital attribute to offer in trying times. There's enough quality storytelling and setup of intrigue to be invested in wherever this one will choose to roam. This is a book to appease and please through the turmoil. Ultimately harmless, a vehicle of joy. This one has a very, very tangible heart of positivity that's easy to get swept up in. It could serve as a vital life ring for those who need the message.

For fans of adventure, fantasy, whimsey, positivity, cookery combat, drunken pacts ending in no two-ways about it straight up kidnapping yet somehow perfectly reasonable and absolutely without malice incredibly, time of yore, vegetable knights, pig riders, strong important ideas on the pursuit of dreams, and art capable of big ideas in a package of pure heart, help yourself there's plenty in its 238 pages Artichoke Knight by Alex Newton.

To get your copy I'd highly recommend https://www.alexnewton.co.uk/shop. While you're there, poke around for all things Alex; it's well worth a visit.

Review: 4.4/5 A solid heart with room to grow.