Aster the Pan was a unique comic in that, initially, I didn’t care for the art style. As my reading progressed, I realized that the art style fit the storyline pretty perfectly. I enjoyed the way that we got world building and back story without it being an outright history lesson. The tournament that the people of Pan have to participate in to maintain their independence was a scary round of dodgeball, and I thought that was a unique take on a classic kids game. I do wish there had been more information on Aster and the aftermath, rather than the way it had been wrapped up. Overall this was a really fun book and I’m grateful for the review copy.

Brilliant, interesting world news look at fascism from a perspective not normally taken
The art style isn’t one I normally like and I feel it would look a lot better in real life than as an Ebook, but it worked for this story.
First time I’ve ever like a story about sport, and it’s fancy dodgeball at that lol

Set up in a dystopian background, this graphic novel drew me in because of the interesting way it was illustrated. The colors and diversity had me entertained as well as the story. I was surprised about the sporting events being set up to be the most important thing here, but it was still fun and I can’t wait to see what else comes from the author. Thank you for the read!

Aster of Pan really ticked all the boxes of my niche interests. A semi dystopian world a generation after a crisis? Check. A plot where sport games are crucial? Check. A strong female lead? Check. The art style is gorgeous and I hope that there is more to come from this universe.

Aster of Pan is a a sports themed post post apocalypse French graphic novel. The art is gorgeous (as I find most French comics are) but the story is a little lacking or at least strangely translated (as I also find most French comics are). I liked the general feel of the world but the charters & their 'growth' were stilted and a bit strange. I don't know, it's pretty, it's very French, & I liked it but didn't love it. If post fallout societal conflicts negotiated through dodgeball are your jam this book is one million percent for you!

I have not read many graphic novels, but this one has made me fall in love with them. The illustrations are gorgeous and makes you want to see what happens in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone that is on the fence with graphic novels.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this graphic novel as much as I did! The animation style grew on me as I continued reading, and so did Aster.

I appreciated her willingness to help the people who didn't want anything to do with her and her ability to adapt quickly to given situations, which I feel separates her from other typical heroines. The story was light and breezy, and had my attention until the very last page.

The tail Aster constantly wore was a bit odd to me, as it was never explained why she has it. The only "issue" I had was <spoiler>Aster's budding problems with Fetta, because it was never explained why Fetta kept interfering with Aster, and she didn't push it once Fetta mentioned Wallis's feelings for Aster<spoiler>.

It was a refreshing change of pace and I'd encourage anyone looking for a simple, quick read to pick this up and meet Aster.


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Aster of Pan was a really good story with such interesting characters and a neat storyline. The art was also very nice and reminded me of graphic novels I read as a kid. The storyline was a bit hard for me to follow along but nevertheless, I enjoyed it. I also love Aster and hope to see more of her in the upcoming volumes!!

Especially relevant in a world where nationalism has spread its influence into Europe, Brazil and the Americas, Merwan's Aster of Pan is the story of a game where the powerful makes the rules, and change them to suit their own purposes. Those who have privilege, in other worlds, create the world to support and increase their privilege. This theme is explored in a story accessible to middle grade students all the way through adult audiences. The art is engaging and active, showing motion and emotion right where you expect it. While the lettering was a little challenging to read for this online reviewer, I don't doubt that it would be an easier experience in print. It's easy to root for the underdog in these stories, but Merwan's story manages to keep the audience in the dark about the final outcome.

Aster of Pan is an absolutely beautiful graphic novel. The story really jumps off the pages through the fluid and emotional illustrations. The story was fast paced and held my interest. Some scenes lacked a bit of explanation/backstory but that didn’t interfere with my over all enjoyment of the book as the illustrations filled in a lot of the blanks. I would love to read more about this world. This would be a great read for middle - high schoolers.

ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It is a very rare occasion to stumble upon such a stunning graphic novel with amazing world building. Aster of Pan is a dystopian graphic novel with sports. The story is set in the year 2068 after contamination has made many of the places inhabitable, now with many of the lands flooded there is hardly a place to grow food. But they found a way to grow rice and scavenging. Their existence comes under threat from the powerful technologically advanced Federation of Fortuna. They force Pan into either submitting to Fortuna’s rule, or to try to best them in a game known as Celestial Mechanics.

I adored the main protagonist, Aster, since her first appearance waking in her tree house home with a rumbling tummy. Then she and her friend, Wallis, have some adventures including being chased by a bear. After being forced by Fortuna's rule to best them in a game, Aster becomes part of Pan’s team. They cross the Deepwater to the neutral country of Ceres to take part in the Celestial Mechanics. Funny enough with a cool name of Celestial Mechanics it is a game of dodge ball in our world.

This graphic novel served the story in beautiful water color-esque graphics that attracted me the moment I started reading. The amazing world building with the art mixed together very well, my eyes were pleased with the aesthetics of this graphic novel. Merwan's art is wonderful and unique that makes the book stand out from an artistic point. Merwan also manages to draw the games so that it looks like everything is moving, which is important when you draw sports. The fluidity of the movements translated well between each box and made the experience much more enjoyable.

To be frank, the premise of the story isn't that incredible, but the world building is clearly stunning backed up by the beautiful art. It would've been better if the story is much longer to be a series as it has potential to be more expandable and to achieve a much more thorough pay off for the story.

In a post apocalyptic world, the human beings are divided in diferent regions that try to rebuild the civilization, a girl named Aster lives in the region of Pan, the most afected by the radiation, but she is not regarded as a Pan citizen because she was born in other place.

One they the city of Pan receives the visit of a representative of Fortuna, who wants them to enter in the Federation and submit to Fortuna's rule, the only way to evade it is to win a competition of a sport named celestial mechanics, some kind of dodgeball with twisted rules. Aster will be accepted as a citizen of Pan to put her in Pan's team.

The story doesn't make any sense, but it's a lot of fun and the art is great.

2, maybe 2.5 stars

If you like dodgeball, this one is for you. This is a cute graphic novel with a beautiful art style, but ultimately I feel it lacked a lot of depth and is overall unmemorable. The fact that such a major conflict was settled with dodgeball just didn’t feel believable to me. I also didn’t connect with any of the characters or really understand any of the side plot lines (like the cheating one? It felt random and unnecessary). I’m glad this graphic novel worked for others, but it just wasn’t for me

There are so many reasons as to why I really enjoyed this story. Some reasons I can't speak on, but I will say what an amazing premise! Aster? Who's that? Pan? What/where is it? Post-apocalyptic? YES! YES YES YES! My attention was maintained the whole time. I couldn't put it down.

There was a point about 30% through I considered dnfing it, not because it was bad, but because I wasn’t super invested. Then, as soon as the game began—post apocalyptic dodgeball anyone—it really picked up! I thought the diversity was great. The different use of texts and panels was creative.

Not sure I’d pick up more by the author though. There was an opportunity to achieve real depth with the conflict of one country trying to come into another and now they have to fight for their freedom. Yet the book aimed for a more shallow, action-packed story and left behind the deeper potential. This might be what some people want, but that made it less memorable or impactful for me.

I really enjoyed the diversity and the story itself, but had a hard time with the art style due to that it was not for me. But a really fun, enjoyable and fast-paced graphic novel that will grip you from the first page and have you hooked all til the end!

This was a bit weird and confusing, I didn't like it at all. Even the art was somewhat raw and not my thing at all.

A 3.5 stars.
I'm a fan of the art style where digital art is made to seem as traditional art. I love this gouache/watercolor style of digital art. The artwork is excellent.
I did not give this a 5 stars because there could've been better world-building, the politics/traditions of Pan could've been explored more. There was no character development. The first 25% of the book was clumsy and then you're smacked right into the Hunger Games-like dodge ball contest. The fact that irked me the most was, Juba didn't even explain the rules of the game before the first cycle. Like really? Not even during the journey to the Ceres? and from there it's just the trope of protagonists (namely Aster and Wallis) who never did the thing in their entire life but they're extremely good at it. I mean, the last 60% was a blur because it was so predictable. We could've had Aster's backstory of being un-pan, Juba's backstory of what made him leave Pan and what happened after leaving.
I did like the story's wrap-up. Like how it was all a myth on which the kid made a presentation. But it could've been taken further instead of a standalone.
26-1-2021 edit: So the artwork is all traditional! This led to the lower quality on zoom but I like that it’s traditionally done! :)

Total time spent: 1 hr.

~ This is my first ARC I received from NetGalley for an honest review.

The story starts with our two main characters, Wallis from Pan and Aster an Un-Pan. We come to realize that something happened with the world and that they live in a dystopian/post-war and that the people of Pan are poor and live with difficulties.

Suddenly one day they are approached by people from Fortuna and challenged to a ball game (it's really dodge ball but make it cooler) with promises of a better life.
However the Ceres people that are trying to overthrow the Fortuna people explain the situation to the Pan and ask them for their help so that all can live peacefully.

I really liked the tournament parts of the comic and Aster as a main character.

The ending of the book was really good and I really enjoyed it!

Dystopian Dodge Ball. That’s the summary. In 2068, the post-apocalyptic society of pan operates much like a primitive democratic, capitalist society. When the rich society of Fortuna invades their shores, the only options are to give in (and sacrifice 25% of their harvest), or challenge them to a tournament of Celestial Mechanics. The rag-tag team from Pan, including its pirates at one point, must best this professional team if they are to retain their freedom.

This series was a lot of fun, and I’d really like more. Aster isn’t always likeable, but she’s loyal to the death to those she cares about, and when she’s thrust into the spotlight of a game she’s never played before, she’s determined to save her people.

The art was solid, not the rich detail of some space operas, but I think it goes well the the dystopian theme. Wars are barbaric, but so is this game. I liked the political elements, the alliances, and the society of Pan. It reminded me a lot of our own systems and how marginalized communities are treated less than and often have to operate outside of the law just to survive.

This one is out on February 2, so if you’re looking for some cool dystopia to add to your comic TBR, cheeck it out.