Manga meets Medieval in this first volume of a princess and a pauper tale. We have one spoiled girl, with extreme magical powers she cannot control, a noble knight (who is way dramatic), a sleepy-swordsman and his with-a-past-grandfather take on a journey of discovery, treasure, and magic in Talli, Daughter of the Moon Volume One. Sourya Sihachakr (a French-Laotian cartoonist) mixed a bit of classical European flair, Asian looks, manga imagery and a bit of what I call “old school 1970’s” feel. And Francois Vigneault had the opportunity to translate.
Talli is a noble child who was orphaned at a young age. Her adoptive father tries and hide her from the world as he knows if she is found out, he will be accused of harboring a heretic, a traitor to the kingdom. But harbor he does, and unfortunately her secret becomes known. Now hunted, she must rely on the rag tagged boy and grandfather. Along the way, she learns the biggest secret of them all, who is she and the countryside is dangerous, but also lovely. And friendship comes in some odd packages, like an old thief and a sleepy swordsman.
The art is typical graphic novel manga. It might not be extreme manga (the shape of women’s eyes and breasts are normal), but you see that style especially within Talli and the motley crew of misfits she has found herself with.
An afterwards showing some of the creative process of making of the book is included. This is simple, but interesting. WARNINGS/Triggers: There is violence, mention of menstruation and realistic fantasy situations.
