Review: Exilium
Nia, Ken and Tr'u are part of the United Earth Resistance defending the planet from alien invaders. Nia and Ken are human, Tr'u is an alien, his people (classic 'greys' from UFO lore: short, big head, big eyes) having come to Earth decades earlier as refugees, fleeing the same enemy that is now threatening their new home.
Things are not looking good for the Resistance; the world is under siege and defeat seems imminent. Earth needs allies against the invaders and the only ones they can turn to for help are the Exilium ('exiled') - xenophobic humans who chose to leave Earth rather than share it with Tr'u's race. Can the 'prodigal sons' be persuaded to return to the fold and fight the good fight?
Writer Ben Slabak and artist Salomon Farias' Exilium is action-packed from page one, filled with battles both on the ground and out in space, and the fantastic visuals do not disappoint. This is balanced with some rich narrative elements: Nia and Tr'u's childhood memories, literary references and moments of introspection.
As the story unfolds several questions arise: Who are these mysterious invaders? Apparently humanoid automatons, they seem determined to exterminate humanity. When Nia makes contact with the Exilium she learns that her long-lost cousins have a very different version of the events that led to their exodus. As her new companion alludes: history is written by the victors... so which version is the truth?
The narrative is well-paced with each little mystery and revelation popping up at just the right moment to keep the reader guessing. Our heroes find themselves confronted with clues that all is not as it would seem.
Maybe the truth help them win the war...
But what if the truth is too hard to face?
Zak Webber
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