... stellar ... knits together contemporary issues with an expansive and fascinating vision of a future on a faraway moon ... Propelled by secret allegiances, unexpected decisions, and a real sense of heart, Vigneault’s narrative unfolds as a fast-moving page-turner, but it is also a complex, visceral, even chilling exploration of the ways our identities, and our very humanity, are enmeshed with the larger political landscapes in which we find ourselves – for better and, sometimes, worse ... Vigneault’s cartooning is lively, conjuring a community on the verge of revolution in otherworldly red, black, and white. The accessible visual style is an integral part of his world-building, as is the dialogue infused both with 22nd-century neologisms and the various dialects of a society divided by class and geography. Blending elements of political thriller, hard sci-fi dystopia, and classic love story, Titan is a brisk but rich read. Vigneault has already accumulated quite a number of award nominations and wins in both Quebec and France, and his English-language graphic novel debut is not to be missed.
... one of the best examples of the stellar work being produced in the Montreal comics scene ... Titan continues a tradition of science fiction graphic storytelling that elevates some of the best European work, and has much to say about prejudice, class, labour relations and human rights. It’s also surprisingly raunchy, with a refreshing straightforwardness that keeps the focus on the developing relationships, with added gadgets, violence and genetic engineering. Possibly the most satisfying part is Vigneault’s visible confidence as a cartoonist who knows his craft, with his choices in characterization and layout keeping the pace right. It’s a big chunk of story, too, making this a great winter read.
I’ve been impatiently awaiting François Vigneault’s Titan for a long time, and I’m delighted to report that the wait was worth it: A clever sci-fi adventure about giants in space, liberation, war, and capitalism, Titan weaves a beautiful tapestry of big adventure and big ideas ... A love story that is also a capitalist critique? Yes please.
... a quick but impactful read ... Titan’s art is simple but effective. It’s monochromatic, completely done in white, pink, grey and black. There’s minimal line work, but every line is put to good use- the wrinkles lining MNGR da Silva’s face, the cartoonish bubbles indicating tipsiness when the MNGR and Phoebe share a bottle of alcohol. The art balances well between sci-fi realism and classic, simple comic book art ... The characters in the book are mostly sketched out archetypes but nonetheless they feel like real people. As much as a sci-fi story, this could just as well be any story about a worker’s revolt in harsh, exploitive conditions.
...Immediately, themes of social justice, workers’ rights, military espionage, and company usurpers come to the forefront. João is a level-headed, fair player, sent to the moon to keep its unprofitable mines from being shut down forever ... The story’s pacing is quick, and, by its middle, the tension is so confidently cranked up that one can’t stop turning the pages through to TITAN’s dramatic climax ... If you’re looking for a hard sci-fi space-colony love story featuring giant ladies, then TITAN is the book for you. But maybe that’s not specifically what you’re after – in that case read TITAN for a pointed adventure that is incredibly deep and complex, telling more story in its 500-some trichromatic panels than could be told in 500 pages of text.
Vigneault’s decision to establish his cast and world at a slow burn over the first few chapters pays dividends in the high-stakes second half of this thoughtful and unabashedly political sf thriller.
Shades of pink, black, and white dominate the art for this title, which cinematically cultivates an alien atmosphere. Amid the sf action, this title questions valuing capitalism and its profits over living beings. Though the story starts off rather slow as João explores Homestead, the action-packed second half is where all the buildup pays off. An intimate scene between Phoebe and João, as well as graphic violence, solidify this as an adult title.
Vigneault makes masterful use of a limited color palette, depicting the rich texture of the industrial space station with hues of pink and black. The soft colors, quiet moments of shared intimacy, and detail in each character’s face create a tenderness unusual in a sci-fi rife with strikes and bloodshed. While many space-age stories warp toward a final frontier, Vigneault turns his characters and their loyalties inward and inside out, begging readers to ask who, in any capitalist society, is the real enemy? This blend of indie art and sci-fi social commentary will appeal to fans of the Bitch Planet and Paper Girls series.
