When MNGR First Class João da Silva arrives on the moon of Titan to take charge of Homestead Station, he finds the massive mining colony plagued by tensions between the giant, genetically-engineered Titan workers and the Terran management. As anger mounts, what began as a routine posting quickly turns into something far more dangerous.
... 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.
