Review by Frank Plowright

Julius Chancer is the assistant to respected historian Sir Alfred Catesby-Grey, their income derived via research leading to the recovery of lost historical objects. Rather unwillingly at first, they become involved in a quest to locate the possibly mythical rainbow orchid, seemingly the only plant likely to stand a chance of beating malevolent businessman Urkaz Grope’s entry to first prize at a prestigious flower show. Should Grope win he’ll acquire the lands and title of Lord Reginald Lawrence, which he considers rectifying a centuries old wrong. Actress Lily Lawrence may have disagreements with her father, but doesn’t want him to lose the ancestral home.

It’s no coincidence that The Rainbow Orchid is set in the 1920s, the decade in which Hergé created his first Tintin adventures, as this is a love letter to classic all ages European adventure comics. What ensures it’s more than just an accomplished homage is Garen Ewing’s meticulous attention to detail. That’s immediately apparent in the art, with the panels packed with character and background distractions, and multiple panels allocated to a page. When Ewing has a panel occupy a quarter page it’s the equivalent of a double page spread in any other title.

On reading it’s rapidly obvious that Ewing also ensures the plot is watertight and prompted by logical motivations, even as it moves into more unusual areas toward the end. As with Tintin, the cast are secondary to the plot, with surface characteristics enough to ensure everything falls into place. Chancer, for instance, is smart, enthusiastic, courageous and most importantly knows with absolute certainty where the line separating right from wrong lies, acting on it whether or not that’s inconvenient or places him in danger.

However, concentrating on the influences and mechanics is pulling back the curtain, and younger readers won’t concern themselves with any of that. They’ll become absorbed in an unpredictable and exotic adventure stopping off at several locations beyond the London start, drawn with an appealing clarity. Ewing experiences a few minor stumbles along the way, but this is astonishingly good for a first full graphic novel.

The Complete Rainbow Orchid reads better as a single edition, includes the covers to the original three volume serialisation, and even more process pages. For greater detail about the ongoing plot follow the links to Volume One, Volume Two or Volume Three.