The Odyssey #1 Review - A Stunning Renaissance‑Sci‑Fi Reinvention

How about a futurist sci-fi retelling of one of the oldest surviving works of literature that blurs the lines between religion and technology in art that captures a classical Renaissance quality worthy of the epic? Then prepare for the journey of The Odyssey from Bruno Catarino and Erwin J. Arroza.

Bruno Catarino is a Portugal-born, London-based writer. His previous comics include the fantastic Scinematic Figments, Bereavement, upcoming Crimson Bay 1-2, Prey and Portrait Of A Soul.

Erwin J. Arroza is a freelance comic book artist based in Manila, Philippines. His previous works include Grinidon books 1 & 2, Water Wars Chronicles, Cobalt, and Inferno City's Firehouse. He has also provided covers for Never Wars, Fisticuffs book 4, and Ghost Reaper issue 1.

Matias Zanetti handles lettering. A comic writer, letterer, and human from Argentina. His previous works include Xenogeist #1, The Savage Heart, Operation Birdman, Body Bag, and the currently Kickstarting Lionborne #1.

Creators credited, on with the critique.

So, let's start with the art. Erwin J Arroza creates high fantasy, mythical art with a quality sitting somewhere between ancient carvings and a Renaissance painting. With the considered context of the high sci-fi futurist depictions, the duality with the arts qualities creates a beautifully unique experience of delighting in art. The character work is strong with expressive and consistent delivery. Where this art really shines, though, is the delivery of the sci-fi concepts. In these moments, those aforementioned qualities and duality are striking in the presentation.

The colour wash across the whole comic adds an ethereal weight to the art to exclamate the "classical" aspects. Erwin's ability to portray space also really stands out, having a beautiful and majestic appearance. The colour work and handling of lighting also emphasise all the best parts of this art to a wonderful level. There's also a whimsical quality produced by all the aspects that beautifully capture the classical nature of the narrative and suit the storytelling magnificently.

Matias Zanetti's lettering works really well throughout this art as well, with nice, clear formatting and art-complimenting moments spliced throughout. Art admired its time for the story.

I'm a big fan of Bruno Cartarino's Scinematic Figments, so a return to sci-fi writing is an exciting prospect. With the added bonus of taking on a classic piece of literature, there's a lot to love and, for me, a fair amount of expectation. Thankfully, Bruno delivers a novel twist on the classic. He takes the mechanics of this universe in a compelling and interesting direction for the story of Odysseus. The futuristic, sci-fi-heavy twists on classic expectations are delivered with awesome talent and imagination. Although I felt I was missing Bruno's sharp, dark wit that was such a monumental part of Scinematic Figments, the dialogue and narrative are no less enjoyable.

This issue, while following the great Greek story closely, also enjoys another staple of Greek mythology. Namely, the Trojan horse story. But like everything great about Bruno's retelling, it's the sci-fi twist which catapults this one into fascinating territory. This story is riddled with intelligent sci-fi shenanigans, giving unique and interesting twists to some of the oldest narrative ideas. There's a special skill in taking such well-established mythologies and presenting them in a way that is not only engaging but feels novel and fresh at the same time. That's exactly what Bruno has achieved.

Bruno also pulls off the smart, slick sci-fi skill of creating ideas that feel very relevant and relatable for our current times. All while dressed in the narrative of a galaxy far away in time and space. The merging of religion and technology offers another compelling aspect of this narrative with the inclusion of Athena as an AI companion akin to Halo's Cortana. An influence which seems echoed in the battlesuits worn by Odysseus and the fellow warriors. A nice easter egg, I'm sure, but the bigger idea Bruno seems to be laying the groundwork for is this blurring of lines between "Gods" and technologies. It's an excellent allegory for the overarching idea of what seems a logical connection. That of humans' way of explaining big ideas through religion and mythological reasoning. Like I've mentioned, though, dressing this thought experiment in well-crafted sci-fi thinking is a beautiful narrative device. Fascinating stuff from a talented writer.

For fans of sci-fi, Greek Mythology, futurism, technology, Halo, very very clever twists on the oldest of stories that feel very relevant and relatable while also somehow very futuristic, tales of whom is the smarterest, yes that's a word, no seriously read the book, it's a nod to it, and art with a classical, Renaissance quality with a foot firmly in both the past and the future, prepare for the epic The Odyssey.

To get your copy, sign up and form an orderly queue at the Kickstarter pre-launch here.

Review: 4.7/5