Galaxy of Madness Vol. 1

by Magdalene Visaggio, Michael Avon Oeming (Illustrator)

Overview

In the far-flung thrilling future of the 41st Century, and on the other side of the galaxy, a swashbuckling space archaeologist, Vigil Virgo, is on the cusp of learning a universe-shattering secret in this four-color fantasy! But she’ll have to dive into the abyss, where no human was ever meant to go, to do it. The question is what happens when she emerges from the other side.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781545815809
Publisher:	Mad Cave Studios
Publication date:	01/21/2025
Series:	Galaxy of Madness , #1
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	76 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Magdalene Visaggio is the Eisner- and GLAAD Media Award–nominated writer of the cult-favorite comics series Kim&Kim, Eternity Girl, and Morning in America as well as the acclaimed graphic novel The Ojja-Wojja. She is also a pretty solid rhythm guitarist. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, she now lives in New York City. You can visit her online at magsvisaggio.com.

Michael Avon Oeming is the Eisner, Harvey, and Eagle award-winning co-creator and artist of Powers. Michael began his career at the age of 14 and has written and drawn Thor Ragnarok, Red Sonja, Batman, Superman, and Dick Tracy but is best known for his creator-owned works such as The Victories, the Mice Templar, Takio, United States of Murder Inc and many others, mostly with his partners Brian Bendis and wife Taki Soma. Michael worked on video games such as Left 4 Dead, Portal, Team Fortress, and Fortnite, and his work can be seen in the Last of Us television series.

Taki Soma is a HUGO award-nominated cartoonist. Soma has worked on creator-owned projects such as Rapture, Sinergy, The Victories, United States of Murder, Inc., Bitch Planet, Dick Tracy, Iron Man, an auto-bio GN titled Sleeping While Standing, listed as one of the best graphic novels of 2022 by the American Library Association. Soma has worked with publishers such as DC, Image, IDW, Marvel, Dark Horse, Jinxworld, Avery Hill and more. Soma lives in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by furry critters and a husband who shares the same passion for comics.

Editorial Reviews

2024-11-26
A junior partner on a spaceship crew is sent on a universe-defying adventure in Visaggio’s graphic novel.

In the far-off 41st century, Vigil Virgo is the daughter of two “archaeoxenologists” who were thrown out of the scientific research organization called “the Intelligence” when they discovered now-lost evidence that their universe was constructed and abandoned by an extradimensional civilization. After their disappearance into the night following their expulsion, Vigil has mostly been raised by their longtime friend Odysseus Rex. Vigil is determined to not follow in her parents’ heretical footsteps (“my parents were crackpots”), but after being denied her research subject by the Intelligence, she decides to join Odysseus’ spaceship crew as junior partner. The partnership works well until they come across a mysterious artifact they refer to as “the sarcophagus.” Initially unable to glean any information from the strange black box, when Vigil discovers a map hidden within its depths after an unexpected and up-close encounter, she’ll do anything to discover the secrets of the universe that those coordinates offer—even if she’ll never be the same after. Oeming’s illustrations are lively and expressive, with page layouts that keep the eye moving inexorably onward. Some scene transitions are too fast-paced to follow––Vigil’s first encounter with the sarcophagus abruptly cuts from her arm being subsumed by the mass to a newly introduced character with little setup––and the flashbacks can be confusing as the reader tries to figure out when or where the characters are. The eventual introduction of alternate versions of the cast charting different paths becomes harder to parse as the narrative progresses. While Visaggio’s dialogue is bursting with character, it doesn’t make up for the opaqueness of the story and the confusing twists and turns taken by the plot. However, Soma’s use of color is a great addition to the art and text, signaling changes in mood, amplifying certain emotional beats, and serving as a subtle indication for changes in time or place. This is an SF adventure that starts off with a bang and ends with a head-scratch—hopefully, subsequent volumes will answer more questions.

A swashbuckling space adventure with a diverse cast sure to capture comic-lovers.

Kirkus Reviews