Review: Canto Volume 1

It is rare to have a book so wonderful that you immediately think of all the other people you want to buy a copy for. Canto is a story which soars, and takes us along for the journey. It is a story about stories and very consciously celebrates the stories of childhood. It is a poetic story, but never dull. It is a story for children, but with themes and depths adults will cherish as well. It makes one wonder what the Wizard of Oz could have been if it had been birthed in comic form. It reminds us that comics are a unique medium that can tell a tale like this better than any other.

Canto is a slave given a name by the one he loves who does not have a name of her own. Raised in Arcana as part of a race who have been enslaved, Canto seeks to rise above his fate for the simplest of reasons, love. Canto and his people have been robbed of their hearts, and when the clock belonging to the one he loves is destroyed he sets out to find her heart.

The Elder of his tribe sets him on a mission to find a Hermit who knows of their origins. On his quest, Canto is quickly joined by what might become one of the greatest creatures in fiction, Malorex. In his simple, wordless way, Malorex is revealed to be an incredibly loyal, kind and dedicated companion. Together Canto and Malorex explore new lands, new adversaries and new creatures as they go on a true hero’s quest. Eventually they are joined by the elfin Aulaura and the delightful small dragon Zixia.

The strength of David Booker’s writing comes not from the simple plot, but from the depth of his character work. Without excessive wordiness or any type of preaching, Booker shows us a world that is magical yet familiar and characters struggling to hold onto hope where they should have none. The story does a fantastic job slowly building a world of characters, from Canto and his fellowship to each creature, character and villain he meets along his journey. The most delightful of the characters might just be the daffy guards of the City of Dis who are more focused with the impression they are doing their jobs than actually serving any function.

The art by Drew Zucker matches the tone of the book perfectly. From the furnace and clockwork within the slaves reflecting the limited, grey lives they’ve been forced into, to the numerous entertaining creatures and character throughout the epic, Zucker shows emotions even when we can’t see faces or when characters have no dialogue. The only drawback on Zucker’s art might be in the depiction of Aulaura, who’s more humanoid features seem awkward among a landscape of other creatures and forms. The colors by Vittorio Astone add greatly to the book and are used incredibly well to emphasize the characters and themes. The smallest color sash might remind us of a character’s personality, and every creature is given it’s own unique look across the larger tapestry of this tale.

In a simple, but deeply affecting way the story shows us that each master is a slave, each person can be a hero and each defeat can still carry victory if we refuse to let go of hope. Canto is the story of a slave who represents us all. Imprisoned within a system, just as everyone else. But he discovers that his own imprisonment only carries weight if he allows it to. This discovery in turn, inspires hope in those around him. It is the character work and layers of story-telling depth that will make this book a delight for every type of reader. It is the type of book that reminds us not only what comics are capable of, but what fiction is capable of.

Writing: 5 of 5 stars
Artwork: 4.8 of 5 stars
Colors: 5 of 5 stars

Overall 4.9 of 5 stars

Writing: David M Booker
Artwork: Drew Zucker
Colors: Vittorio Astone
Letters: Deron Bennett
Publisher IDW

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.