Review by Frank Plowright

It’s obvious from the beginning that Steve De La Mare has put massive amounts of preparatory work into Al15, some of it introduced via information pages before the story starts. It takes place well into the future when humanity has long colonised other planets, with Al15 part of the underground colony of Viridians on a planet so close to the sun that health risks from radiation prevent residents being on the surface. She dreams of being a courier who visits other worlds.

To begin with De La Mare very much relies on substantial blocks of text placed either over painted spreads or via distinctive calligraphy on white pages. It’s deliberately styled to combine elements of graphic novels, illustration and art books, but there’s a lot to absorb, and you’ll either be a reader who appreciates the richness and depth such background adds, or one who wonders why a relatively simple story couldn’t be more simply told. On balance, the enthusiasm to explain unnecessary information at such an early stage was a mistake that may put off some readers. However, not continuing to turn the pages would also be a mistake.

Events really begin when Al15 comes across a courier who’s drunk himself into oblivion and decides to take the assignment herself. It goes wrong, and Al15 finds herself on an alien planet.

When hand lettered in capitals Al15 could read as ALIS, or Alice, which is a clue as to De La Mare’s initial inspiration. Al15 explores her new situation as a well-intentioned innocent. meeting a variety of strange inhabitants all presented in lush surroundings by De La Mare. The art is attractive in echoing the digital wonder of Avatar, but can also rely too greatly on too few colours, with blue and green overused favourites. Just when the technical quality has become visually embedded De La Mare takes a surprising step into a design-led spread to explain a legend, and thereafter in addition to the excellently composed spreads, every now and then De La Mare tries something different for variation. Al15 climbing up a block of text as it it’s engraved on a monument is just one moment of invention.

Rather than a cohesive plot, for much of The Adventure Begins De La Mare supplies a succession of experiences, each featuring a creative new situation, new characters and new difficulties for the surprisingly confident and adaptable Al15. It comes as a surprise when suddenly we’re in very different territory as Al15 learns a truth contradicting her civilisation’s entire founding mythology. It’s not the only surprise.

By the end De La Mare has neatly explained earlier moments that may have seemed a little too random and given Al15 far greater purpose. It’s all wrapped in a densely textured package where the creativity and enthusiasm shine through, and readers making their way through the complex opening ought to be captivated enough to head to Broken Dreams.