Matt Fraction and Christian Ward team up to create a visually arresting and unique story that will make you forget everything you know about Odysseus’ classic adventure.
Written by Matt Fraction
Illustrated by Christian WardAn epic 26 centuries in the making: In the aftermath of a galactic war a hundred years long, Odyssia the Clever Champion and her compatriots begin their longest, strangest trip yet: the one home. A gender-bent eye-popping psychedelic science fiction odyssey begins HERE, by MATT FRACTION (CASANOVA, SEX CRIMINALS, SATELLITE SAM) and CHRISTIAN WARD (INFINITE VACATION, OLYMPUS).
“Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing is bred that is weaker than man.” – Homer
“I reject passive consumption. I reject the premise. I will have no passive consumers.” –Matt Fraction
The most genius thing about Matt Fraction and Christian Ward’s new series “ODY-C”, is that it tells one of the oldest and most familiar stories in the world. Homer’s Odyssey has been retold in movies, books, video games and my personal favorite episode of Wishbone, and its familiar plot is the perfect frame on which to hang this trippy sci-fi adventure.
The Troiian War has finally come to an end after 10 long years of battle. Exhausted from the fight, Odyssia, leader of a fierce band of space warriors, is ready to return home to her wife Penelope and son Telem. Before they can even saddle up the space horses, the space gods are cooking up dastardly plans for Odyssia and her crew. The journey across the stars won’t be easy for the warriors, or the reader for that matter.
Matt Fraction is a bit weird, and that’s meant in the best possible way. He has crafted a unique voice that has worked just as well in both mainstream and independent comics, and what’s interesting about “ODY-C” is how different it feels from his other work. Readers familiar with his witty and often laugh-out-loud dialog might be initially thrown by the dense and wordy narration. Fraction stays close to the story’s ancient poetic roots, and employs a declarative style that ebbs and flows. Fraction should be commended for pushing himself so far out of his comfort zone, and really challenging his own brand of storytelling.
This is a sprawling world, filled with dozens of new characters, so it’s not a huge surprise that there isn’t enough space to get super in-depth with every character. However, Fraction is able to clearly establish the broad strokes of his antagonists and protagonists with ease. The space gods are petty and cruel, and the warriors of Ithicaa are harden and fierce. If there was anyone who incorrectly thought that the gender-swap would somehow soften the characters, this notion is quickly dispelled. They are soldiers, hardened by the harshness of war, and never once flinch in the face of combat.
Odyssia is multifaceted character from the start. She didn’t hesitate to take part in the Troiian War, but she desperately wants to return home to Ithicaa. She constantly thinks of her son, and would do anything to get back to him. This includes executing one of her own crew members whose doubting thoughts caused the ship’s engine to break. Through Fraction’s characterization, we are able to see both the caring mother and the merciless warrior sides of Odyssia, and she becomes a very compelling center for the story.
Make no mistake about it: this is a hardcore sci-fi book, and the art from Christian Ward makes that point very clear. The ODY-C ship itself is operated by a hive mind of four pilots mentally linked while submerged in womb-like pods. The book is full of concepts like this. Ward’s art is eye-popping collection of high-tech concepts told through the lens of a psychedelic painter. Ward has design a world that perfectly matches with the larger themes of Fraction ‘s story. The very design of the ships furthers the gender-flipping narrative, and replaces the traditional phallic rockets with yonic spacecraft (I’m sorry I had to look up that word). Ward doesn’t hit you over the head with heavy symbolism, but creates an entire world and culture where these ships make sense, and then actually rewards careful readers with his designs.
Continued belowWard’s art is captivating from the very first page. The book features an enormous 8 page fold out that covers the back story of the Troiian War, while the flip side presents a slow pan across a bloody battlefield. Right away it tells you that these guys are serious about this world. Harkening back to the seafaring setting of the original, Ward employs softer lines that seem akin to waves of water. It’s nice way to evoke traditional adventuring spirit, while layering it over with some trippy visuals. That word is going to be incredibly overused in describing this book, but only because it fits so perfectly. Ward uses a highly contrasting color palate, full of vibrant oranges and steely-cool blues that moves the images even further away from any semblance of realism. Every page is different, and every image is impactful.
In all likelihood, some people are going to finish the first issue of “ODY-C” and absolutely hate it. This is not a story that holds the reader’s hand and constantly doles out exposition. The creative team wanted to make a book that would challenge readers, and reward patient study. If you want your comics to be well-written fun adventures, stick to “Hawkeye”, as this is such a unique book that it simply won’t appeal to everyone.
Despite the fact that the Odyssey is a very familiar story, Matt Fraction and Christian Ward play on audience expectations to craft a story that stands apart from the many adaptations of Homer’s work. The abstract art creates a singular look for this world, which simultaneously appears futuristic and classic, and is rich in detail and subtle symbolism that elevates the story’s themes. Fraction’s decision to flip the genders is an interesting enough choice on its own, but he takes it on step further by playing against the contrasting warrior/mother sides of Odyssia. This team has singular creative vision, and they work together perfectly to execute it.
Final Verdict: 9.0 – This is one of the most unique comic books to come out this year. It’s bound to be divisive, but everyone should still give it a shot. It takes a familiar story and turns it into something that feels completely new and exciting.
