Broken Frontier

With the Predator Defense League captured or dead, dinosaurs running amok in the city and the opposition’s uprising seemingly effective and almost complete, Lilli, a engineer and a mysterious child try to survive in the lush jungles.

NeoZoic is an epic and sprawling tale, it takes the best themes from Star Wars, Dune, and Tarzan and throws them in with dinosaurs giving it a Land of the Lost feel. For those not familiar with the book, NeoZoic is set in a future where humans and dinosaurs have evolved together in a very primitive kind of society. There are the inhabitants of Mohanti City, where our heroes Lilli and Pax were born and raised. The city has been protected for countless years by the Predator Defense League, a society of warriors who protect the city by helping keep the dinosaurs at bay, with lethal means if necessary. The city is also surrounded by walls that keep the dinosaurs out. Then there are the Talpids, an albino race of humans who hold some grudge against the denizens of the city.

I unashamedly love this book and its ideas. They are the kind of perfect themes for a comic book - ambiguous religions and fantastic creatures abound. The problem with this book is that there is so much going on that it’s sporadic shipping schedule hinders a reader’s enjoyment of the book. I would assume that this book will read so much better in trade format where there is no seemingly endless time between each issue.

It’s a shame really, because the characters are compelling and the cliffhangers, when not spectacular, are always intriguing. Paul Ens is writing the kind of comic that everyone wants to read, the kind of thing that Kirby would have been proud of. I just wish it weren’t such a struggle to remember what happened in the last issue.

This issue sees more of this complex world come to light as there are mysteries in the communication of the Talpids, an escape planned by the captured PDL and the killer head scratcher here is in the skies overhead. Also, the Talpid child has become an ally to our heroes lost in the jungle. It seems the ability that she has to bring the worst out of the lizards has a counterpart that keeps the reluctant couple safe.

The art provided by J. Korim is stylistic and crisp. He brings a kind of familiarity to the members of the different races. This makes them easily recognizable as part of each clan, not only through their coloring but through their facial structures. Even if the book where in black and white, you could easily tell the difference between the Mohantians and the Talpids. Fortunately for us, the book is not in black and white. It is lavishly colored by Jessie Lam who brings shading and light to realistic heights, making the book almost come alive. With the designs of Korim and the coloring, the book has an almost animated feel that would certainly make a feast for the eyes on a Saturday morning.

For those who are willing to put forth the effort, I highly recommend seeking out this series. For those who want to read an epic story but would rather not have to take notes on everything that is going on or reread the previous issue when a new one ships, you might want to wait for the trade. Either group should be thoroughly entertained with this amalgam of the best ideas of fantasy from the last century or so.