Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Paul Jenkins & Matthew Daley
Artist: Carlos Magno
Release Date: 13th May, 2015.

Lantern City, it seems is on its way to becoming a multimedia event, it would seem. With the release of the comic this Wednesday, there will now be a comic, a graphic novel, and a tv series on the way. Within the first few pages, its easy to see why, a sprawling steampunk esque metropolis, a down trodden lower class, stormtrooper like guards, and an unseen elite. It pretty much reads as a modern take on 1984, but with modern influences thrown in. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a familiar enough story that’s been told before, but its a story that every now and then needs telling.

Lantern City follows a family who are hit by hard times and begin to take part in a revolution to take down the upper class. It’s strangely appropriate after who the “United” Kingdom have just voted into power for another 5 years. “The actions of one, are the actions of all”. That’s a recurring theme in the book and, again, sadly appropriate.

Normally when I see that a book is steampunk, or another niche genre I run a mile, but after BOOM! Doing such an amazing job with Clockwork Angeles, I figured it was worth a shot and wasn’t wrong! The steampunkiness of the book is kept as an afterthought, it’s just “there” and engrained into the story, as opposed to being shoved in your face with over the top cogs stuck on anything that wouldn’t normally have them. Speaking of which, the art in the book is stunning, every sprawling cityscape is beautiful. The character design being just familiar enough without seeming like its been done before, while lending nicely to the overall tone of the story. There’s big plans ahead for this series and I’m glad I picked it up, safe to say I’m sold on the concept and look forward to the series!

Rating: 4/5

The writer of this piece was: Chris Bennett
Article: I Hate It Here
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