We return to our Candian-born cartoonist Michel Gagne as we partake in viewing one of his other graphic novels called Zed: A Cosmic Tale. According to Gagne himself. This was one of the first ideas he had for a graphic novel when he was working as a special effects artist at Warner Bros. Initially, it was supposed to be a series separated into 10 issues but in 2012 he eventually found a way to get it into one complete book.
Zed is a small but brilliant alien who is about to unveil his invention to the galaxy on the planet Xandria. Unfortunately, things go incredibly wrong as not only the invention doesn’t work but it explodes and kills almost everyone in the audience including Zed’s parents. Zed escapes through a ship that can be controlled by the mind and heads over to his home planet of Gallos while witnessing the destruction of Xandria. Little does he know that the real culprit responsible for Xandira’s fate was General Maxuss and his goons. After having a near-death experience, Zed wakes up two years later to find himself having powers, unlike anything he has had before. Zed must team up with some allies and use his newfound abilities to build back up his planet as well as stop Maxuss from destroying any more planets in the galaxy.
This story is quite dark in places but it still has that glimmer of hope and wonder that made The Saga of Rex so endearing. It’s a graphic novel that is definitely not made for kids as there are spots of violent imagery and swearing. There is also a good amount of spiritual stuff which may be a little much for younger readers. Still, it doesn’t in any way detract from how the story goes in many interesting sci-fi directions and yet still come across as hopeful and mysterious. Zed is an immediately likable character and the fate put upon him is so brutal that it’s hard not to root for him when things get tough.
Illustrations are done in black & white instead of in color which makes this Michel Gagne work stand out from the others. Gagne’s Character designs are simple in design but executed greatly in expression. The backgrounds are beautiful, ambitious, and look very atmospheric in a classic sci-fi sort of way. The dialogue boxes are well handled and do not take up too much space in each of the panels. Whenever the story gets dark, the visuals don’t hold anything back as the imagery can come across as brutal and somewhat graphic.
This books dark edge and deep storyline may not be for everyone, but I can guarantee that Zed: A Cosmic Tale is still a well put together story that has a great atmosphere, likable charcters, and a sense of Sci-Fi adventure that is hard to deny. Michel Gagne has done it again and my hope is that whatever comes next will be just as bold and likable as before.
(Final Grade: A-)