Mad Cave Studios and Maverick are taking young readers on a trip on the high seas with a new graphic novel that is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers. The voyage comes in the form of its new young adult title, Pirate Princess. Published Oct. 8 through Maverick (Mad Cave Studios’ YA imprint), The Pirate Princess centers on a young female but in reality, has enough to appeal to young male readers, too, throughout its 127 pages. This will be discussed shortly as the story is examined. The story’s pacing plays its own part in the overall presentation and will be examined a little later. The story’s art rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted is key in its own way to the whole of this graphic novel. All things considered they make The Pirate Princess a work that despite being centered on a young woman, is a presentation that plenty of young audiences will appreciate.
Maverick Comics’ recently released graphic novel The Pirate Princess is an intriguing new offering from the company on its already crowded slate of new titles. The novel’s key selling point is its story. The story centers on a young woman by the name of Julie, who happens to be the daughter of a figure simply known as “the Pirate King.” Writer Luca Frigerio never gives him a name, but as is discovered as the story progresses, is anything but a good person. As a matter of fact, he is something of a tyrant, not to give away too much. He is so cruel that apparently, he was willing to sacrifice his own son in an ongoing battle with his wife (not to give away too much here). The story leads up to quit the interesting cliffhanger, which is sure to leave readers wanting to find out what happens to Julie and where her decision will lead her and the ongoing battle between her parents. Along the way, two friends, Maxime and Stephane, watch after Julie and even help her escape the clutches of her father after she has to help them escape themselves. The chemistry that the trio shares is endearing and makes a person hope for the best between the group in the next issue of The Pirate Princess. All in all, the story featured in this debut issue of The Pirate Princess forms a strong foundation for the novel.
The story at the heart of this novel is just part of what makes the book worth reading. The pacing thereof makes for more reason for audiences to take in this novel. That is because of the fluidity thereof. The pacing comes through the scene transitions and even the action within the scenes. Full discretion, the scene transitions are not always the clearest, but readers who allow themselves to be fully immersed in the story will catch them, leading to an understanding of the fluidity of the pacing in part. The action within the scenes also plays into the fluidity. That is because the dialogue is kept to a minimum. No words are wasted at any point. Rather the action and dialogue are relatively well-balanced, leading to even more recognition of that fluidity. Considering that the story spans 127 pages, that ability to keep moving steadily from beginning to end makes for just as much appreciation for the novel as the story and builds on the foundation formed by the story.
Rounding out the most important of the elements of The Pirate Princess is the novel’s art. Created by Lorenza Pigliamosche, the artwork is quite unique. There is something about the designs that makes it comparable to so much manga artwork. At the same time there is something about the art that points to the artwork of so many RPG video games. In other words there is clear Asian influence in the novel’s artwork. Even with that influence so noticeable, Pigliamosche still does an impressive job presenting the story’s visual aspects. Case in point is the panoramic view of the island where Julie was living as the story opens. The rich colors of the tropical locale create such a great setting. On another note, Julie sword training, showing her wielding her father’s sword, is another example of that Asian influence. There is something in the design thereof that points to so much anime. As if that is not enough, the futuristic vehicles that roam the ancient looking realms Pigliamosche has created make for an interesting juxtaposition, visually, too. That contrast of modern and ancient is something else that is common among so much anime and RPG fare nowadays. To that end, Pigliamosche’s artistic work gives The Pirate Princess just as much interest as the novel’s story and its pacing. Keeping that in mind, the unique identity that is brough to the artwork pairs with the story and its pacing to generate plenty of engagement and entertainment for readers. All things considered The Pirate Princess proves to be a presentation that will appeal not just to young female readers, who are clearly its key audience, but young adult males, too, proving the reach of its appeal.
The Pirate Princess, the recently released new title from Maverick Comics, the young adult imprint of Mad Cave Studios, is a presentation that will find appeal among a wide range of teen and even tween readers. That is due in part to its story, which centers on the daughter of two infamous pirates; Pirates who turn out to be her own parents and who are also at odds with one another. The seeming allegory of young people caught in the middle of a rather nasty divorce (intended or not) makes for a strong foundation for this presentation. The pacing of said story is fluid, ensuring in its own right, readers’ continued engagement and entertainment. The artwork exhibited throughout the story rounds out its most important elements. This especially considering its clear Asian influence. Each item examined plays its own crucial part to the whole of The Pirate Princess. All things considered they make The Pirate Princess a work that plenty of young adult readers will find worth reading at least once.
The Pirate Princess is available now through Maverick Comics. More information on this and other titles from Maverick Comics is available at:
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