Ophiuchus
By: Alexis Leriger de la Plante & Natasha Tara Petrovic
Illustrator: Alexis Leriger de la Plante & Natasha Tara Petrovic
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Publisher: Image Comics
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:

A single volume graphic novel based off of a prior web comic series, Ophiuchus by Alexis Leriger de le Plante and Natasha Tara Petrovic is a story as colorful as it is steeped in science fiction and post-apocalyptic society.

Ophiuchus is a story about a sentry stationed outside of a massive gate that seems to be inactive. After something breaks through, the sentry, named Ophiuchus, is infected with a strange virus. Soon after, two robot-like machines come asking for help in stopping the virus from spreading ever further.

What follows is it a trip to the center of the universe, the place where everything first started. The small town the sentry was in charge of seems to be a bit of an oddity in this universe. The majority of the places the group travel to are long abandoned and left in ruins. What world building is present is very interesting. A world built on strict class systems and duty is sketchily outlined. Its fall is equally as hastily outlined.

This, unfortunately, is Ophiuchus’s weak point. Though the world is interesting and what lore is present very interesting, there simply isn’t enough present to satisfy curiosity enough. However, the clever use of names does provide some interesting ideas, and what isn’t outright stated or explored in-depth can be deduced by fans of similarly themed and genre-d tales.

Colorful palettes of pinks, purples, and blues are used almost exclusively. The worlds painted are beautiful and otherworldly, places so very different from our own. It is a welcome sight, especially for a story edging into the territories of post-apocalypse. Too often we are treated to flat, gray worlds. This was a very welcome respite.

The story is one of choice and free will. Of class and social structure and ensuing warfare. Ophiuchus by Alexis Leriger de la Plante and Natasha Tara Petrovic is a graphic novel well worth taking a look at. Despite some speed bumps in their first work, I am very much looking forward to whatever these amazing artists and writers might have in store for us in the future.