JIRNI (vol.2) #1 Review


Does the world really need a D’jinn warrioress? Read on to find out.

The official description from Aspen:

Return to a fantastical world of high-adventure!

Ara is a warrior-princess with the blood of the mystical D’jinn flowing through her. Powerful, brave, and capable, she is determined to finish her quest to find her kidnapped mother, no matter what obstacles may fall in her path. But, the desert she wanders through seems endless, and something is hunting her. Or is it the other way around?

Jirni v2 1_CBI’ve been waiting for the series to make a return and I’m happy to say that this first installment picked up exactly where I wanted it to. The creative team took what they learned over the course of the prior volume and they’ve begun implementing it in a lot of smart ways. In short: this opening issue is more like Jirni version 2.

J.T. Krul pens a simple script that catches up both new and seasoned readers as Ara continues her quest to find her mother, Luna. Following that she moves ever onward, and in the face of the harsh realities of a desert landscape she feels hunger, thirst and more importantly sadness. The author does a solid job with the plot, especially as he slowly but surely expands the realm our protagonist plays in. My only gripes are that an engaging addition doesn’t appear to be sticking around and there were some clunky bits of narration.

Beyond the text is the real star of the piece: the illustrative works of Paolo Pantalena. The talent effortlessly builds an epic thick and slender lines with sure pencil strokes that all work in tandem to craft a world worth exploring. In particular I was impressed by the mammoth beast along with the dynamic colors by Ross Campbell. This comic enters a near perfect visual renaissance that I honestly think elevates the whole of the experience.

Jirni (vol.2) #1 doesn’t break new ground necessarily but it proves the worth of the franchise as it mines into the far reaches of this epic and compelling quest. I’m sold and this comes recommended.

OUR RATING
8
  • + Continues a simple narrative.
  • + Ara remains really worthwhile.
  • + The art is the star of this journey.
  • - Some of the inner dialogue is a bit stiff...

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