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“Ody-C” #2 Is an Entirely New Kind of Epic Trip [Review]

By | January 9th, 2015
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

The scope of this new series from Fraction and Ward is unfathomably large. It is formed using the bones of one of the most iconic epics in all of written history. It questions the fundamentals of natural order and enters the minds of gods. Ambitious is an understatement. “Ody-C” sets out to give readers something new, and succeeds on a number of levels.

Written by Matt Fraction
Illustrated by Christian Ward

Odyssia and her crew are tempted by the deadly and dangerous Lotus Eaters, living sources of the most powerful narcotic in the galaxy.

“Ody-C” #2 proves that a good story can and will continue to evolve as long as people are willing to listen. Fraction and Ward seem to focus on the idea that this kind of evolution is natural and essential for all living things, stories included, throughout this issue.

Just as a story like The Odyssey is capable of evolution and adaptation so are the characters in this series. The second issue combines a retelling of Promethene’s story and an explanation of her role in the current world order with a look at what she has become. Zeus, one character that does seem incapable of and unwilling to change, begins the issue by explaining that his-her fear of disobedient children and their potential to usurp their parents lead to her destruction of all men. This idea is beautifully depicted by Ward. An incredibly vivid spread shows the faces of the men who were eliminated forming a backdrop for the reactions of various gods. The construction of this collection is very memorable, the images of the men link together in a grid, almost like a technicolor array of driver’s license photographs, forming flat planes on which the gods physically rest. It looks a bit like the universe’s most morbid picnic blanket. Ward’s unique composition pairs perfectly with Fraction’s dialogue for Zeus, which is equal parts irreverent and archaic. Zeus has a biting authority and self-assuredness when speaking. Fraction takes his time here, really giving this character a chance to create his-her own context. Her stagnant nature and abrupt, indifferent tone mark her as a worthy foe for this story which will seemingly focus on the human capacity for change and understanding.

“Ody-C” pushes the boundaries of expectation and defies convention, even as it embraces a widely known, traditional story. The story of Prometheus is remade into something new and more complex than the original. In this retelling, Promothene does not bring fire to humanity; instead she brings to them a way to reproduce. Creating a third sex known as the Sebex, Promothene skirts the parameters of the decree from Zeus stating that no more men should be created. Again, Ward’s work captures real beauty in this sequence. This character begins, a truly lovely, hopeful creature. She is full of light and life, capable of empathy and understanding where others like her are not. One image of her in particular in which she is at the center of a circle, surrounded by genetic material is particularly captivating. Here, she is regal, there is something almost art deco-inspired about her proportion and posture. This ethereal image contrasts well against the horror what she becomes, which is both grotesque and beautiful in near perfect balance. As in the original Prometheus myth, she is not punished by death, but instead suffers a prolonged torture. Traditionally, Prometheus was chained to a rock, and every day his liver was gouged out and eaten by a giant vulture, which is only slightly less imaginative than what Fraction and Ward have in store for their version of this character. Promethene is fed the petals of the lotus flower, which here in Universa Ultima is the most powerful narcotic in existence. She loses her ability to move, and becomes an outgrowth of landscape, habitable and haunted.

In this strange place we are reunited with our heroine, Odyssia, as she and her crew come to partake in the vicious pursuits that exist here. A literal labyrinth full of pleasure and decadence descends deeper and deeper into primal fears. The sheer force of imagination in this sequence is astounding. Layer upon layer of depravity and revelry explore the ways in which human beings combat loneliness and fear, the things we place between our conscious mind and reality. This environment is itself a metaphor for the substance it houses. There is something so sincerely thoughtful about the way in which this team approaches every scene.

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Fraction and Ward do not seem to start with reality and make changes, they start with an idea and structure the world and it’s inhabitants to embody and reflect that idea in every possible way. This is pure surrealism, familiar and eerily foreign in the same instant. This ideology permeates every facet of the story. Familiar yet new, from the language to the subject matter, to the unconventional construction of the environment, every element points to that theme. In fact, this is a central theme of the story, everything has the potential for change, adapt, evolve and grow. Resilience and rebirth are incredibly important to the long journey that this creative team has struck out upon.

The commitment to these ideas and their ability to shape an entire universe is something that truly sets this book apart. Fraction’s unique integration of classic and current linguistic styles draws the old world into the new to give the series a unique voice. While Ward’s art articulately captures a world that exists only in imagination with a nuanced blend of realism and abstraction. The combination of these forceful elements makes “Ody-C” a truly unique experience. It’s bold and bright; imaginative and real. Everything about this book is truly an epic departure from the ordinary.

Final Verdict: 8.2 – Unlike anything else out there, I mean really out there.


Sam LeBas

Sam resides in Louisiana, and has a twang in her voice, even when her words are in print. Her first crush was Burt Ward. She reviews comics, writes features, and co-host podcasts at imageaddiction.net. She also blogs about comic books from a feminist, literary perspective at comicsonice.com You can find her on twitter @comicsonice where she makes inappropriate jokes and shamelessly promotes her work. Other than comic books, her greatest passions are applied linguistics and classic country music. She enjoys quality writing implements, squirrels, and strong coffee.

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