Pretty amazing. Killer artwork, interesting characters, intriguing story. More impressed with the writing than I expected. ( )

A sort of superhero meets post-apocalyptic graphic novel. The seas have risen and those who claimed the higher ground have become the new overlords. They use the so-called 'bridge people' as slaves. A band of rebels have stolen the mask of an ancient hero who challenged the lords. The rebels are overtaken but one escapes with the mask and meets Orchid, who is working as a prostitute in some scummy town. Danger ensues as they are enslaved and eventually escape -- and Orchid becomes ready to fight. Artwork OK, writing OK. ( )

Musician and political activist Tom Morello tells the story of Orchid, a teenage prostitute living in a post apocalyptic world where she has to fight the role society has given her to bring about a revolution.

Orchid’s world is one where the “waters rose and the genetic codes were smashed”, where the powerful live on the high spots, the wild lands are full of dangerous mutated animals and the powerless live below the bridges at the mercy of warlords, feral animals and slave traders. Orchid is a slave prostitute whose path crosses that of a would-be revolutionary with a magic mask.

This future is bright and colourful, it reminds me of a tropical garden full of dangerous plants, spiders, insects and reptiles. The kind of garden where you don’t touch anything because the most beautiful flower is the most poisonous.

In short, the artwork is gorgeous.

The story has been told before, but that doesn’t take anything away from it. There’s a few new twists on the old theme of the dystopian future and combining that with the artwork makes this well worth reading.

As the title character, Orchid carries the story well. I like her. She’s angry and her anger builds through the story propelling it to its conclusion.

http://annikisbookcase.com/2013/04/orchid-vol-1/ ( )

The reader is immediately thrust into the world of Orchid, but there is little confusion. Background is provided throughout as needed, though it isn't made explicit whether this is a future world or an alternative one. The characters range from one-dimensionally pathetic to strong and defiant. Orchid herself has a painful history, but the maintenance of her confidence and sense of self is inspiring. The story is strong, background and characters working together to create a fantastically believable world. The mask is a weak point, appearing and disappearing throughout the story, though hopefully it will have a more solid role in future volumes. ( )