Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the e-ARC of Dandelion!
2.5 / 5 ⭐
I understand the reviews saying that the stories are short and depressing. I thought this would be a 2 star read for me through much of the book but the slight saving grace for me was how the stories wove together. I also appreciated the LGBT+ and disabled representation, and enjoyed the various art styles in the collection.

I really liked the storyline for this, unfortunately the art style was a bit distracting for me personally but that could be due to reading it as an ebook.

If you are familiar with the tropes of dystopian science-fiction, you know that the road to a hellish future begins with the false promise of a pleasant one. No matter what good intentions there might be, whether from leaders or innovators, humanity would have to embrace the future or suffer from it. This is what is at the core of Dandelion from Sabir Pirzada, a writer on Marvel Studios shows Ms. Marvel and Moon Knight.

Collaborating with nine artists, Pirzada tells a series of short stories, taking place in a world where a new civilization is formed in the skies, thanks to humanity’s latest chilling invention: The Dandelion, created by Jen Nakamuto. To quote from the book: “Vagrants, immigrants with asylum, and workers displaced by post-labor automation were sent to the skies to live out their lives in these Dandelions. They were known as EXILES.” And in case you missed this description, don’t worry, it gets said numerous times.

It is always the case with these collections of sci-fi short stories, that they feel more like a vehicle to present interesting ideas, whether it is technological advancement or the fear of our human rights, which is why Dandelion is a mixed bag. Considering the short length of these narratives, some of which acknowledge one another, the characters themselves don’t leave much of an impression, whether it is the two shooters that go on a murdering rampage on everyone at a hedge fund, or a bunch of young hipsters who violate the Dandelion rules and get punished for it.

Not all the stories are without merit. For example, the one about the inventor Jen Nakamuto herself includes some character development as she locates her missing son, who supposedly ruined their family legacy. This story sets up the actual origins of the Dandelion. On the other hand, the story of the married couple Reggie and Amy Alexander, trying to adjust to their new life in the skies after a car accident changed their lives irrevocably, suffers from a disconnect due to the odd decision to split the story up and revisit it later. If more pages were dedicated to these narratives, without one-off vignettes interrupting, Dandelion would benefit from enhanced world-building and a more emotionally engaging read.

Despite having too many short tales, Dandelion allows for a variety of different art styles from Martín Morazzo, Vanesa Del Rey, Eric Koda, Roy Allan Martinez, Gegé Schall, Thomas Campi, Adrian Rivero and Marquis Rogers that showcase the beauty and horror of this futuristic world, where the Dandelions themselves are a unique design. Each of these artists delivers their own quirks from Adrian Rivero’s heavily detailed art, to Vanesa Del Rey’s dark and gritty illustrations.

Despite its good intentions, backed up with interesting sci-fi ideas and impressive work from all the artists, Dandelion doesn’t have the dramatic depth it seems to think it does.

3 stars

The concept of Dandelion is interesting. People who are immigrants, criminals, and no longer deemed as suitable for life on Earth are sent to live in houses in the sky that float in the wind like Dandelions. This graphic novel is a series of short stories that follows different people connected to the Dandelion Project. Some of them live in their homes, some of them are hunted for touching land again, and some of them have connections to the original creator. It's a fascinating concept to explore, but it wasn't cohesive enough to be effective. Some stories were incredibly profound and made me pause and think and others didn't stick the landing. Some stories would get so close to going deeper and ending abruptly. I also wanted to see more consistency in the characters coming back around. Some of them and some didn't. I just think one standalone graphic novel may be too little and shortchanges the Dandelion concept and possible exploration of societal ecology, xenophobia, and classism. I definitely recommend this graphic novel to sci-fi fans, especially sci-fi short story fans.

Thank you, Netgalley and Image Comics, for providing me with a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fantastic concept for a graphic novel: dandelion houses blown by the wind, and exploited by governments as a way to dispose of the undesirables in society. Dandelion is a collection of stories about some of these Exiles, from families who couldn't keep up with the rent, to those who dream of revolution. As with any collection of stories, some of these worked for me and some didn't, but I loved the concept throughout.

This was a difficult reading experience for me because of the artwork. I thought I was going to enjoy this but I did not. I don't think giving a star rating would not be appropriate for me to do. Because I am required to add a star rating to complete this feedback form, I am going to select two stars.

Dandelion's climate change sci-fi is very fitting for the time we are in. The art is reminiscent of 80s comics and while not my favorites, is effective in conveying the stories. I like how in some stories, not much is different while it is very much so in others.

I was hoping to enjoy it more. Brevity did not lend itself to the stories. Some good art. Just ho hum.

I was intrigued by this collection of interconnected dystopian short stories in comic format. Some of the stories were entirely too violent, dark, and depressing for my taste, but some of them were surprisingly sweet and hopeful. Some of the art styles I appreciated, and some I didn’t care for. I really liked the way the stories interconnected to show how different people coped with climate change, technological advances, and increasing economic inequality—issues we are all increasingly struggling to cope with.

Thanks to Image Comics for providing me with an electronic ARC through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.

I loved this, the interconnecting stories just how fast-paced it was. Even the different ranges of stories you got in such a short time, really helped me fall in love with this world and omg dandelion got its name from the actually dandelion seed things which is reminiscent of the pod things that help you go up ugh I loved. I need this adapted so badly I'm so obsessed with Neha and Ying you don't understand I need more of them <spoiler> "'Are you stalking me'
'Tell me to buzz off and I will, forever'
'Bitch you ain't going nowhere'" LITERALLY OBSESSED </spoiler>. The art at the beginning did kind of bother me but I really warmed up to it by story 3 or 4. I think this would transfer so well to a limited series and I am praying it does, I yearn for another sci-fi limited show on netlfix or smthn. I will be buying a physical copy, this was so good. I need another one right now desperately it was so good.


Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for the ARC!

I’m not really sure what I thought of Dandelion. Based on the art of the cover I was really excited to check this out. I mean who wouldn’t be? That is a seriously stunning cover. However, the art looked nothing like this inside so you can imagine my disappointment. I did like some of the art styles but one really stood out.

Oil and water was by far the most impressive story visually. The art style was wholly unique and every frame was stunning. Every other story had a fairly similar art style but this one stood out for all the right reasons. It’s become one of my favourite graphic novel art styles I’ve ever seen.Sadly Thomas Campi hasn’t illustrated many other English graphic novels so I can’t enjoy more of his beautiful art, well I could check out a French graphic novel just for the pictures but I’d have no clue what was going on.

The story had a lot of potential but I feel like the story the synopsis is telling wasn’t executed too well. Maybe I’m being too harsh and it’s my own comprehension that failed, but while the backstory of creating the Dandelion’s was told in high detail, I feel like the reason for them wasn’t explained as well as it could have been. I didn’t get the sense of ‘wealthy citizens hoarding resources for themselves’ and the dialogue wasn’t always super easy to follow.

Basically what I’m trying to say is this graphic novel was not for me. I found the context difficult to figure out (my issue probably not the writer’s). However I did really like the ‘podcast’ sections. It was a nice change of pace.

4.25⭐️

this story centers around a unique futuristic invention for flying mobile homes for “exiles” that are not allowed to be on land once boarding their “dandelion”. the plot bounces between a few different characters, some overlapping plots and some stand alone, that are affected in various ways by this invention. it was heartbreaking, scary, thrilling, funny, and heartwarming to read about their stories. i wish we got more from certain characters/storylines, and some stories felt like they left to many unanswered questions, but it was still an adventure to read all of them. i really enjoyed the different art styles from all the artists that worked on the project as well.

gorgeous cover, will likely get to at some point. will update when I've read this and rated it on goodreads.

Dandelion by Sabir Pirzada, with breathtaking artwork by Martin Morazzo, is a graceful exploration of resilience and quiet strength. Pirzada’s poetic storytelling pairs perfectly with Morazzo’s intricate illustrations, each page a visual and emotional journey. Together, they craft a world that feels both tender and powerful, inviting readers to drift through a story as delicate and unforgettable as a dandelion in the wind.

I went into this book not fully knowing what to expect and I think it was the perfect way to approach it! This was the graphic novel I've read in years, and it made me wonder why I had stopped.

The book is basically a collection of separate short stories that are interconnected, which is one of the aspects I actually enjoyed the most.
The illustration was beautifully done and I can't wait to read other books by this author!

In this anthology of interrelated comics, a technological advancement has allowed the displaced to find new homes in the sky. But what was intended to be a solution to a humanitarian crisis has turned into a new crisis all it's own. People forced to abandon their lives on Earth can no longer set foot on ground without repercussion. And that's just the start of this technological, dystopian vision of the future. There's definitely a range of quality in these comics, but the variety of takes on the premise makes for an interesting take on the future.

I am not a sci-fi girl, nor a dystopian lover, but this book appealed to the cyberpunk side of me. This is a beautiful take on how a utopian invention can become a future dystopia. I loved the intermixed stories, the different art styles, and how each writer/illustrator took on the Dandelions in their own way. Would definitely recommend this book to someone who spent a little too much of 2020 playing Cyberpunk 2077.

A sci-fi, graphic novels anthology that will keep you wanting more. The art style is beautiful and full of intricate details that are appealing to the eye.
That, paired with the storytelling, makes this a very enjoyable read.

Dandelion is a dystopian collection of short stories about the creation of flying mobile homes called Dandelions. It explores the contrast between the inventor/creator's intent vs. the often exploitative nature of mass production and commercialization. There is some commentary on what happens to those whose jobs are replaced by AI. Though the beginning was a bit repetitive, I thought each story was entertaining and beautifully illustrated. I thought it was too short and wanted more depth and development to the stories. I would be interested in continuing the story as a series.

A graphic novel that is interesting and fun to read, due to its contents and its overall compilation. A fun easy time.