BREAKLANDS

After a young woman’s brother is kidnapped, she teams up with a ragtag band to save him in this comic collection set in a post-apocalyptic world.

It’s a century-and-a-half in the future, and teenage Kasa Fain and her 8-year-old brother, Adam, have been alone since their mother left them some time ago. However, Kasa promised to keep Adam safe, and she is determined to do so. However, while she’s out hunting for food one day, Adam is discovered by the Rumblers, and they kidnap him in the hope of selling him to the highest bidder. In a world where everyone has some sort of psychic ability, telekinetic Adam stands out as a super-powerful being known as a Shaper. This makes him incredibly valuable, and the Rumblers know that he’ll fetch a high price in Tradetown. Kasa teams up with Gargarin, who can track the kidnappers and her sibling. On the way, they pick up Toy, who has a vehicle, and the tough Ruth, who has an impressive healing ability. However, a being named Shattersword is also after the Rumblers to get to Adam, under the direction of Rask—one of the most powerful Shapers, who controls the empire. Kasa doesn’t care about any of that, though; she just wants her brother back, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes. However, will they ever be safe again, now that people know what he’s capable of? In this first collected volume of a new series, writer Jordan and artist Tyasseta transport readers to a world that’s 147 years “after the break”—much like our own, but with a wide range of superpowered people. The brightly colored milieu, with a diversity of body types and skin colors, feels realistic and offers a future that’s recognizable, even as strange creatures roam the world of the Breaklands. The banter between the heroes of the story gives it a found-family feel and make them easy to root for, as when Gargarin says that he has a plan, and Ruth asks if it’s a good one: “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Gargarin quips.

An engrossing dystopian graphic novel with an unusual cast and a fresh setting.