A comiXologist recommends…

NOVAE #1

You can only appreciate Novae if you set a slow pace to your reading. With very little dialogue and an emphasis on emotions conveyed by very small details – a trembling hand, a shining pin on a coat, a furtive look – Kaiju tells us the story of Sulvain and Raziol in Paris 1672. Sulvain, described to us as a world traveler and expert physiologist, comes to the French capital to meet his friend, the astronomer Huygens. The famous scientist is working on new discoveries with the help of his assistant, Raziol Qamar, an eager and enthusiastic apprentice who is immediately intrigued by his patron’s friend.

Kaiju’s art gives the reader the impression of looking at a painting rather than reading a story. This impression is reinforced by the coloring: the first issue is nearly monochrome with its use of grey and blue tones, sometimes illuminated by moments of orange. The light of the candle shines on Razul and Sulvain’s first exchange in Huygens’ library. The harsh day light casts a glaring glow on Razul’s exhausted state after he spent two days working on mathematical calculations for a conference.

Be prepared to be hooked: this first issue gives us few details about the story and will leave you clamoring for more. We can assume that Sulvain and Raziol will grow closer but I’m excited to see how this relationship will develop. If you are looking for a slow-burn historical romance, Novae is the comic for you.

Camille Fabre is an online marketing manager at comiXology.