The second issue of Kroma, from Image, continues the tale of the young orphan Zet, stuck in a black-and-white fortress. Zet is trying to come to terms with life, trying to decipher what is truth and what has been a long con, a deceptive control exerted by cruel rulers. And then there is Kroma herself.
This astonishingly illustrated book is one of my top books of 2022, for the way it interweaves a visual style and rhythm into the story. The underlying principal theme, that of “colour being threatening, and black and white being the safe way” is knit smoothly among plot, character and environment.
As I’ve said before, Italian creator Lorenzo De Felici (Oblivion Song) has created, written, and illustrated a remarkably deep and touching epic here, swiftly demonstrating mastery of character, story, and yes, world-building.
And what a world it is: the mammoth wild animals and brilliant birds, their tropical spender gone ultra-predatory. And the enclosed enclave in its black and white circle, with foes darkly revolving around the power grid of politics.
The poses are exquisite, the points of view awe-inspiring, the Rus Wooton lettering organic and engrained. This comic is so solidly structured, so easy to follow, so imaginatively expressed. I am impressed. Kroma #2: Splendid, fetid, fetching, and heavily recommended.
Image, Kroma #2, $7.99 for 50 pages of story content and author text. Teen +
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Brian Isaacs - Executive Editor / Publisher