Book / Week 29 - The Roman Stars Vol 1 (2023)
2024/09/11
THE ROMAN STARS - Caesar's Conquest of the Galaxy
Written by Ivan Brandon
Illustrated by V. Gagnon
Synopsis:
Uneasy with normal daily life, Julius Caesar spends his later years chasing his own myth as he leads his army through the stars.
This is a unique look at Julius Caesar's historic climb from Praetor to General to Dictator and how the Roman people's love for him made him impossible for the law to control. Our story follows Caesar, his family, his army, his battles, and his greatest challenger, himself.
//
Interrupting my own schedule yet again as this week I read The Roman Stars, which was a Kickstarter book I backed last year (also backed its sequel).
Between work and everything else, I knew I wouldn’t have the time to get to Far Sector without delaying this column too long, so I tackled something smaller.
// The story
The story is a reimagining of Julius Caesar and his Roman Empire - but the twist is that it’s in space. It’s the story of a Galactic War - of Planet Rome. It’s a retelling of the Roman Empire history, but through a space opera lens. It’s still Caesar vs Vercingetorix and the Gallic Tribes. It’s still armies of soldiers on foot… just on different planets. Like Dune.
We read about the familiar names, like Julius Caesar, obviously. But other, including Marc Antony, Cornelia, and Tiro. Plus more that I’m forgetting.
The story touches on various points of his life, and how his myth and legend grew to be bigger than the Senate. And this Vol 1 ends after conquering Gaul, Caesar is returning home with his Legion and with the Senate realizing he has grown to big, his followers too many. To be continued in … Vol 2.
Its a epic tale, told at a very brisk pace.
// Between the pages
The book is really psychedelic in its design and colour. It reminds in a lot of ways of Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove or Hercules or Dreamworks’ Kung Fu Panda, and the bold colour palate. Very vibrant. A strong colour theory went into the design here. You definitely feel like this could be another galaxy.
The book is a quick read. Less than 100 pages I believe, but feels a bit larger as it is printed in a wide format. Like Frank Millar’s 300 - likely a strong influence for this book.
One part I found quite smart was the addition of the SPQR news channel sprinkled throughout. These Fox News-like talking heads are all about the gossip of the Empire and Emperor, and they help add some levity to the story, and help with some of the scene transitions. But the name of the channel they’re on, SPQR stands for “Senatus Populusque Romanus”, which means the Senate and the People of Rome. Fitting choice and worked well.
// Thought bubble
Prior to reading this book, and looking through my comics collection, it doesn’t appear that I have read anything from Ivan Brandon. But this book was really solid, and I am excited for the sequel, which the Kickstart has already been backed and is heading towards fulfillment. The Vol 1 Kickstarter I backed also included some of his previous work, in a series called Drifter, Vol 1-4, published by Image between 2014-2017. I also have another book called 24Seven (also published by Image in 2006), which is a sci-fi anthology that he created and is featured within. So, I have some homework ahead of me, to get more familiar.
V. Gagnon is also new to me, and they have some pretty cool art showcased on their IG, and on their personal website - but none of the books shown are familiar to me. I’m excited to see more of their work in Vol II.
Also after reading this, I realized I have a very limited understanding of the Roman history. Probably something I should educate myself further about - lest I disappoint my wife.
Next read is a toss up. I’m going to leave The Watchmen there for now, but it very well might be DC’s Far Sector. We shall see.
Next read:
Book 30: The Watchmen - Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
Previous read:
Book 28: Fatale
Book 27: CHU Vol. 1-2
Book 26: The Hard Switch
Book 25: Phenomena - Book One: The Golden City of Eyes
Book 24: Newburn Vol. 1