Niourk

February 26, 2018
Vatine (Cixi of Troy) brings a classic of European literature to English readers in this evocative graphic novel adaptation of the 1957 French SF novel by Stefan Wul. Dark Child—a young black boy living in a kind of nouveau primal tribe on a post-apocalyptic Earth—journeys across a landscape reclaimed by wilderness following nuclear disaster. After he and his tribe eat an irradiated squid, they get increased strength and intelligence, but only Dark Child escapes eventual death by radiation poisoning. Alone, Dark Child walks to the mysterious place known as Niourk—New York. An encounter with human survivors, descendants of Earthlings who fled to Mars, accelerates his evolution into a superbeing who can reshape reality. Vatine’s rendering of future Earth is filled with wild and weird organics and dreamlike, alien visions, juxtaposing mundane objects (a shopping cart, the Brooklyn Bridge) against fantastical ones. Rich colors and sharp printing highlight the excellent production value. With visual echoes of Planet of the Apes and Jack Kirby’s Kamandi (although the original source novel predates both), this strange and poignant story imagines humankind’s steps to the brink of annihilation and back again. Fans of the genre will find Vatine’s optimistic twist on standard tropes provocative.

Starred review from April 1, 2018

In the far, far future, the oceans have mysteriously receded and the denizens of Earth have regressed into groups of primitive tribes foraging for survival. With resources rapidly dwindling, there is little hope until a lone child outcast ventures into a fabled city of the Gods and discovers technology far beyond his understanding. Convinced that he has been chosen to lead his people, and accompanied by a tame bear, the boy sets out on a quest toward a northern promised land known as New York. That's when the gigantic, intelligent cephalopods arrive, and a little bit later, some robots. Based on the novel by French author Wul, the man behind the cult hit Fantastic Planet, and beautifully adapted by Vatine (Trio Grande: Adios Palomita), this epic and idiosyncratic adventure renders big ideas about the human capacity for compassion, cruelty, and survival. VERDICT Even the most widely read sf dystopia aficionado won't see all the twists and turns. A total thrill from start to finish.--TB

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