Review by Ian Keogh

Drome is a difficult graphic novel to categorise, perhaps barbarian fantasy, but one way of considering it is as an alternate telling of humanity’s turbulent history. A creation myth, if you will, featuring a pair of gods and escalating capabilities.

They initially create men and discover them innately tribal and warlike, so the first of a series of additional beings intended to temper those inclinations is a giant blue woman. Jesse Lonergan’s tale keeps words to a minimum, which not only stretches him artistically, but also serves well in making the gods unknowable. Do they have a purpose beyond amusing themselves? We see them respond on occasion, but never manifesting personally on the planet, and it’s only toward the end that their motivations are partially revealed.

Lonergan’s art is amazing throughout, utilising multiple small panels in often decorative arrangements to configure movement and progress, yet not trapped by that format. Some sections of Drome require scale, and Lonergan responds accordingly, the immensity of a celestial bull fully conveyed. It’s an allegorical version of night, and the sheer power required to deal with it is stunningly represented. Relatively few characters carry Drome, and each is distinctively designed other than generic superhero types, who are more in the way of indicators reflecting the strengths of the main cast. Toward the end an artistic change is required, so Lonergan moves into Pop Art stylings, delivering those pages just as attractively, and if not already noticed, highlighting his use of colour.

It’s the woman who becomes the central character, all others seen in relation to her, whether lover or enemy, and she’s at the centre of most action sequences, always resilient in the face of fantastic adversaries. In the arbitrary way of many myths she’s eventually faced with the either/or choice, and if she wins she’ll also lose. It’s the ultimate test of humanity, whether the choice made is for the best of all or the best of one. Having set that up Lonergan supplies a clever and satisfying finale. Which of his cast most represents humanity, though? The warrior with whom the story begins is also strongly characterised.

While combat is never far away, Drome is thoughtful and meticulous, but also always thoroughly entertaining.