Review: Breaklands
Imagine a world in which everyone has a superpower... except you.
This is Kasa Fain's world. 147 years ago something happened that changed everything. Suddenly everyone manifested a paranormal ability; some strong, mostly not very strong, a small number extremely powerful. This last group, known as 'Shapers', fought against each other, devastating the planet. Successive generations inherited these gifts. Nature has also changed; animal life has mutated beyond recognition.
There is no conventional technology now, people still drive vehicles but they are powered by the psychic energy of the one behind the wheel ... or of lesser psychics imprisoned under the hood. The landscape is a curious blend of post-apocalyptic and mythical: Mad Max with wizards.
Kasa lives with her young brother Adam in a hidden enclosure in the wilderness outside the cities. Their mother left, promising to return and warning them to stay concealed, but she has been gone too long. Quite unlike his sister, Adam is very powerful, easily able to fly and levitate others. Kasa goes hunting, telling him to stay home and, above all, not to use his gifts.
Kasa's hunting trip does not go the way she planned, and Adam soon gets into trouble when he is spotted by a group of 'Rumblers' - mercenaries who sniff out powerful psychics to sell them to the highest bidder. Kasa's attempts to save him are in vain until she meets up with Gagarin, an older man who has also picked up the scent of Adam's power and wants to stop the boy falling into the wrong hands. Together with his pyrokinetic friend Toy (who drives a steam-powered vehicle using her ability to generate heat) they make their way to Trade Town. En route they are joined by Ruth, a huge hulk with the power to regenerate from even the most destructive injury. They head into the city to rescue the boy, against impossible odds...
Breaklands by writer Justin Jordan and artist Tyasseta is a lively manga tale of heroic warriors and formidable magicians - in most cases, the same individuals - battling in a world beyond reality. Nothing is familiar here, even the cutest small furry animal can transform into a terrifying kaiju at the slightest provocation. The god-like Shapers rule legions of followers as they vie for power among the scattered population of lesser psychics. In such a world, does our heroine have any hope of saving her brother?
The pages glow with action as the weird and wonderful characters go head to head, especially when the enigmatic Shattersword - her weapon made of telekinetically animated crystal fragments - is engaged in combat. The cast is diverse and surreal, inhabiting a dreamland of unpredictable wonders.
But in a world where everyone has superpowers, where does true power lie? If everyone is special, does the whole concept of being special become meaningless? If so, Kasa is less than nothing... But her brother is depending on her. And, maybe, so is a whole lot more.
There is no conventional technology now, people still drive vehicles but they are powered by the psychic energy of the one behind the wheel ... or of lesser psychics imprisoned under the hood. The landscape is a curious blend of post-apocalyptic and mythical: Mad Max with wizards.
Kasa lives with her young brother Adam in a hidden enclosure in the wilderness outside the cities. Their mother left, promising to return and warning them to stay concealed, but she has been gone too long. Quite unlike his sister, Adam is very powerful, easily able to fly and levitate others. Kasa goes hunting, telling him to stay home and, above all, not to use his gifts.
Kasa's hunting trip does not go the way she planned, and Adam soon gets into trouble when he is spotted by a group of 'Rumblers' - mercenaries who sniff out powerful psychics to sell them to the highest bidder. Kasa's attempts to save him are in vain until she meets up with Gagarin, an older man who has also picked up the scent of Adam's power and wants to stop the boy falling into the wrong hands. Together with his pyrokinetic friend Toy (who drives a steam-powered vehicle using her ability to generate heat) they make their way to Trade Town. En route they are joined by Ruth, a huge hulk with the power to regenerate from even the most destructive injury. They head into the city to rescue the boy, against impossible odds...
Breaklands by writer Justin Jordan and artist Tyasseta is a lively manga tale of heroic warriors and formidable magicians - in most cases, the same individuals - battling in a world beyond reality. Nothing is familiar here, even the cutest small furry animal can transform into a terrifying kaiju at the slightest provocation. The god-like Shapers rule legions of followers as they vie for power among the scattered population of lesser psychics. In such a world, does our heroine have any hope of saving her brother?
The pages glow with action as the weird and wonderful characters go head to head, especially when the enigmatic Shattersword - her weapon made of telekinetically animated crystal fragments - is engaged in combat. The cast is diverse and surreal, inhabiting a dreamland of unpredictable wonders.
But in a world where everyone has superpowers, where does true power lie? If everyone is special, does the whole concept of being special become meaningless? If so, Kasa is less than nothing... But her brother is depending on her. And, maybe, so is a whole lot more.
Zak Webber
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