Orchid Vol. 3 TPPublisher: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: August 7, 2013
Price: $17.99
Creator(s): Tom Morello (writer); Scott Hepburn and Dan Jackson (artists)
Format: 112 pgs., Full-Color, Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-5958-2967-2
Age Rating: 16
ICv2 Rating: 3.5 Stars out of 5
Orchid is a very grim story, set in the distant future. It is filled with mythic, religious and political themes and imagery, and some readers will enjoy its depth. Others may quibble about the story structure, which seems to depend on last-minute rescues and a high body count. You can read this volume as a stand-alone, but it is probably better to start with the first two volumes.
The story, which involves overthrowing yet another incompetent evil overlord, involves rebels rising up against heavily armed, heavily fortified bad guys, and yet somehow winning anyway. This happens mostly because the author says so, but there are some excellent visuals along the way, and some delightfully creepy monsters. Hepburn’s visual style is reminiscent of some of the British comics artists of the 80s, with just enough measured exaggeration to convincingly portray giant robot dogs climbing out of a pit of fire, or someone getting his head melted. While some of the female characters have exaggerated cleavage, there’s actually a reason within the story, and their figures and features are not too outrageous, given elements that are within the story.
Still, be prepared for a dark and depressing story with few happy endings. For teens and up, due to violence.
--Nick Smith: Librarian Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.
