Customer Reviews

The Land of Qa: Thorgal 5 (Thorgal (Cinebook))

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I will start by saying that the Thorgal series is one of the best sci-fi/fantasy/action-adventure comic series I've ever laid hands on. The writing overall shows a commitment to its characters and story that is reminiscent of much older writing, like Robert Louis Stevenson or Alexandre Dumas. For those of us who grow weary of the terrible writing that has come to characterize most American comics, and for which they are rightly derided as a literary art form by many, it is refreshing to find comics of the caliber of the Thorgal series. Characters, even those that are devious, cunning and wicked, come across as human (or alien or monster, what have you), with motivations and reactions that, while sometimes surprising, don't fly in the face of how the character has been written up to that point. The art work is absolutely sumptuous, and lends a good deal of help in transporting the reader into the story.

The Thorgal books are about a boy/man from another world raised by ancient vikings on Earth, and his viking princess girlfriend/wife, Aaricia. He encounters gods, aliens, monsters, and numerous other fantastic cultures of the period over the course of his adventures. The Land of Qa story follows the return of Thorgal to the secluded island home where Aaricia and Jolan, his son have been awaiting him. Thorgal had been delayed due to an adventure in which he participated in an archery tournament, and came to know the cunning Kriss of Valinor (whom Thorgal bested in the archery match and later offended by saving her life) and the youthful Tjall. Thorgal brings Tjall and his uncle, Treefoot, back to the island, where Thorgal and company set about rebuilding the family home in the wake of events that occurred while Thorgal was away. Before long Kriss of Valinor arrives with a party of soldiers in flying hot-air balloon ships, and kidnaps Thorgal, his family and Tjall. She sends Jolan and Treefoot to an undisclosed location, and demands Thorgal accompany her on a mission in the land of Qa in order to secure their return. Aaricia and Tjall join Thorgal on the mission with Kriss of Valinor.

The land of Qa, as it turns out, is the new world. Jolan is held in what looks to be a south western Pueblo city, while Thorgal and company are sent deep into a jungle, in a country that looks to be controlled by Mayans or Aztecs at the height of their civilization. Jolan comes to find that the elder who is worshiped as a god in the Pueblo, is actually Thorgal's alien grandfather (encountered by Thorgal in Child of the Stars), and he begins to tutor Jolan in the use of his alien powers. The enemy against which Thorgal and company must wage their mission is another of the alien race from which Thorgal descends, who has used a piece of alien technology to control the populace and build himself an empire. These are the basics of the plot, but the real wonder of this book is in the great character development on the part of Aaricia, Tjall, and Jolan, who all become very distinct, well rounded and sympathetic characters during the adventure. As always the artwork is astounding, and the pace of storytelling is perfect, combining exactly the right amount of character depth with just the right amount of action and intrigue.

The entire Thorgal series is well worth the investment and I can't recommend it highly enough. Thoroughly satisfying comics in a vein long since forgotten on this side of the Atlantic.