By Laramie Martinez

I’ve been a big fan of The Storyteller since they came out with Witches back in 2014. Giants #1 looks to be another excellent addition to the series. With an art style and tone reminiscent of what we’ve seen before in both Witches and Dragons. This is an excellent read for any fan of folklore. Keep reading for my full review.

At its core, The Storyteller has always had great stories. From myths, legends, or folk tales, each issue is a glimpse into another time and place that somehow manages to stay relatable to readers in the 21st century. For the writers of these issues, the bulk of the work doesn’t go into the plot, which, for the most part, has been created by generations of storytellers. Instead, the true art in these stories is they way in which they are trimmed down to make them relatable to a modern reader. This issue is no exception. The story is a universal tale about a boy overcoming prejudice notions and fear. An outsider in a village where he has spent his whole life, they heart of the plot lies within his effort to prove himself to those who should know him best.

My only issue with the story is that the writer might have taken a little too much out of it. The danger never really seemed there like it did with the other stories in The Storyteller series. It might be because this kid is, in fact, a giant. There is a reason fables and myths often tell the stories of those who are overlooked, the people who are forgotten or ignored. There are real stakes for those characters, if they fail they will be doomed to a life of oblivion and oppression. It’s different when a character is larger than life. I felt that the protagonist was going to fail. You can pit a giant against anyone and smart bet will always be on the giant. It is an interesting problem to have and while this didn’t ruin the issue for me, I do hope we get to see another issue with a good giant facing against a threat worthy of his/her stature.

Nolan’s art is perfect for this series.  It is the perfect mix of cartoon with realism. Everything is done right here, from the color choice to the small details which give life and personality to the characters. While there is nothing especially epic or experimental in its design, the simplicity of the style suits the story and I have to commend the artist for his choice to serve the narrative.

The Storyteller: Giants #1 is a must read for any fans of the series or for any lover of folk tales. I can’t think of any other series which presents these old tales with the level of dedication to the source material. You simply cannot beat it.  

Score: 4/5

The Storyteller: Giants #1
Writer: Conor Nolan
Artist: Conor Nolan
Publisher: Archaia