Mawrth Vallis is published by Image Comics, written, illustrated and designed by EPHK. Mawrth Vallis will be available on Wednesday, July 21 and in bookstores on Tuesday, July 27 it can be pre-ordered on Amazon.
Mawrth Vallis will also be available for purchase across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.
Synopsis
During a skirmish with an opposing Martian faction, a fighter pilot disobeys orders to pursue a fleeing foe. Guided by her determination and curiosity, she is led into a dangerous chase through Mars’s forbidden valley where she will be confronted with the red planet’s darkest of secrets.
Review
I do enjoy most Sci-Fi comics but I have never come across anything quite like Mawrth Vallis before, a graphic novel scripted entirely in Martian, now unfortunately Martian isn’t my mother tongue so the concept of following the story entirely in that language was perplexing to say the least. Personally I feel you need to look at it as if you are watching a foreign film with no subtitles and just enjoy the visuals that will make up the story for you.
Luckily the illustrations were top level and they do tell the story well and you are able to piece together the story using the visuals. Mawrth Vallis tells a story of action and intrigue as you follow a fighter pilot trying to fight her way through Mars’ wasteland to uncover it’s deepest secrets coming across epic monsters to tackle along the way, the story seems to take many interesting turns with quite a dark undertone to the story with a big twist towards the end that will surprise readers.
At first glance I was put off by the lack of English to understand however using the beautifully designed illustrations allowed me to piece together a story that I found quite entertaining.
The dramatic colours and tones using for the colouring really adds the intense feel to the story and the illustrations allows the reader to use their imagination to follow the story’s path.
Verdict
At first I was put off by the language but honestly don’t be, once you start going through the pages you start to get into it and the language stops bring an issue, a definite title I’d recommend for any Sci-Fi fan who wants something different.
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