Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Graphic Novel Review: 'Throne Of Ice' by Alain Paris & Val & Saverio Tenuta & Notaro

'Throne Of Ice' is a four part heroic fantasy epic set in a mythical pre-glacial Antarctica 10,000 years ago - long before it becomes a frozen wasteland we know of today. 
 
The premise isn't an original one, it's one that has been told numerous times before in classical literature through to modern times - a scheming Royal aims to rule the kingdom by killing the current ruler and putting their son on the throne, but the illegitimate son is smuggled away before they are discovered and killed, and is then mentored over the years before coming back to fulfill his destiny and reclaim their right to the throne.
 
There is a reason why this plot is so familiar, it's because it works, classic hero's journey type stuff. And it does the job here, carrying the plot along at a decent pace in a good story, but unfortunately it's a very familiar one that doesn't really seem to step out of first gear and stand out from other similarly told stories. The development of the characters suffered as a result for me, as they did seem a bit flat and two dimensional at times however, meaning that I wasn't too invested in some of them.

The lore of this mythical Antarctica is quite interesting though, not heavy handed info dumps but just enough to pique my interest of the world. The glimpses of the other kingdoms and tribes, as our hero travels the continent to fulfill his destiny, and even ancient Atlanteans hinted at for good measure, all add to the story and world building, which I liked.
 
The artwork, by three different artists over the course of the 4 book series, is pretty good, consistent and fits in with the storytelling. There is violence and nudity, although nothing really gratuitous, and there's plenty of details in the panels to keep your attention, allowing you to flow along with the story without getting distracted.

It's an decent read with a set of characters and plot that are very recognizable. With a similarity in its title, if you're a fan of the 'A Song Of Ice And Fire / Game Of Thrones' series, then this could be a quick read for you.

Available at:
and other comic and book stores.

 

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