This graphic novel, Dead King Volume 1 wouldn't one for me so I wasn't able to read it. I wish it would have opened I was excited for this.

Takes place in a dystopian post-war Russia. Sasha's twin brother has been sent to a work camp for being gay. So Sasha searches out the baddest mech pilot, Steel Mary, from the war to help bust his brother out. There's not a lot of world building here. We get the basics of this world and slight glimpses into what has occurred in the past without really knowing what happened. Matthew Dow Smith's art here looks even more like Michael Gaydos's than normal due to the colorist. I wasn't a fan of the muted, drab colors and felt the art could have used some more contrast of color.

I really tried to like this one. I liked the art, and the storyline was interesting but hard to read and keep track of what is going on. The story takes place in an apocalyptic Russia that at once feels futuristic with its combat suits, metal bot wars, and hovering mechanical horses. At the same time it feels historical and not in a good way when characters are sent to concentration camps for being gay. The main character is determined to get his brother out of these camps, and plans to use a bomb implanted in his testical to do so. To be successful he needs the help of best solder from the war, but for her to be the best soldier she needs her rig. This story was hard to read for two reasons: the first that so many words and names are in Russian. The other that I was reading a digital galley and pages of text were missing. I like the premise, and I might even try it again when it fully releases, but as it is for this review it’s a 2 star DNF.
#BNFantasyChallenge
#urganfantasy

I received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was just an ok read for me. The post apocalyptic story in Russia was interesting and the ending was a bit of a surprise but it didn’t really keep me engaged. The artwork for me was just ok as well. I think I need more time with this series in order to get into it properly. That being said, I’d read the next in the series.

'Dead Kings Vol. 1' by Steve Orlando with art by Matthew Dow Smith is a graphic novel set in a futuristic or alternate Russia, I couldn't tell which.

Sasha has a twin brother named Gena. Gena has been sent to prison for being a degenerate, and Sasha is determined to break his brother out. The problem is that Sacha isn't as tough as he seems, so he will need help. He finds it in former soldier Steel Mary. Steel Mary fought in the wars with a metal flying suit. The story is mainly of Steel Mary trying to find her heart again and Sasha finding his courage.

I'll admit, at first, I was not impressed, but by the end, I ended up liking this story. The art is a little clunky, but it had appeal. The characters felt fully fleshed and I liked the character journey of Steel Mary. I'd love to read more of her story.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Aftershock Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

On both Edelweiss and Netgalley, this file was missing too many pages to read coherently. Which is a shame, because I like this creative team..

Filled with deep mystery, realistic characters, out-dated mechs, and violent antagonists, Dead Kings is what you get when you mix Metro 2033 with Pacific Rim. Dark tonal values in the artwork add to the gravity of each page, especially since the protagonists are cast in a grim and bleak world that will make you think Gotham would be a more pleasant place to visit.