Review by Ian Keogh
Ogrest is a form of ogre who began the series as an infant, but who has been twice transformed by a dragon’s egg known as a dofus. As seen in Volume 1, he lives remotely with an alchemist named Otomai, talented enough to be coveted by malign influences, yet strong enough to resist them, and Dathura, a living doll. She’s the last of ten created by a god, and her origin and the jealous enemy she has occupy the opening chapter. It’s followed by one spotlighting Lupa and the band she’s gathered around her dedicated to wiping out religious worshippers forcing their gods on others.
Volume 1 focussed almost exclusively on the home life of Otomai, Dathura and Ogrest, but here there’s a deliberate pattern of circling around other characters who were introduced without being greatly explored. The tiers of beings creator Mig explained in such depth to open the first volume are given greater explanation, and it seems there was a need to explain the rankings in such detail after all.
The plot propelling the book is the disappearance of Dathura. Now we’re aware of what she is, that becomes all the more critical, but for Ogrest it’s all-consuming. He views himself as her protector, and when he learns where she may be he runs headlong into danger.
As before Mig’s art impresses all the way through. Delicacy is the default mode, but there’s power when needed and the characters really have life to them, showing what they’re thinking. Several more join the cast in Volume 2, and Mig ensures they’re all differently designed from those previously introduced.
For all the traditional fantasy background, Mig has clever ideas about magical means, and he incorporates different moods via different myths. The funny Trumbo strips continue, but the Lacrima ones are altogether darker without redemption. Here the gods act randomly and unknowingly, causing upset and torment. Mig keeps that to the side stories, as while the main feature does show some unpleasant people, it’s generally upbeat and good-natured.
Several meetings end a more entertaining volume than the first prompting great anticipation for Volume 3.
