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‘Griz Grobus’ TPB (review)

Written by Simon Roy and Jess Pollard
Art by Simon Roy and Sergey Nazarov
Published by Image Comics
Available on June 5, 2024

 

Griz Grobus is a graphic novel that marries high fantasy with a post-apocalyptic sci-fi setting and that emerged as a Kickstarter sensation before gracing the shelves of comic shops in June 2024 through Image Comics. This unique blend of genres is crafted by the collaborative genius of co-writer/artist Simon Roy and co-writer Jess Pollard, with Sergey Nazarov adding depth and color to this vivid universe.

With this mixture of elements and art that invoked the epic adventure comics of the 1920s and 1930s, I was stoked with the belief that Griz Grobus would exceed my expectations.

The narrative unfolds within the same universe as Roy’s earlier work, Habitat, but Griz Grobus carves out its distinct path. While Habitat depicted a utopian orbital community’s descent into chaos, Griz Grobus is much light fare and opts for a gentler, comedic, hopeful, albeit no less intriguing, exploration of life post-empire collapse. Set in the rural world of Altamira, it presents a post-utopian frontier life that has evolved into something more wholesome.

Griz Grobus weaves several parallel and intertwined tales that enrich the tapestry of Altamira. But for me, it never coalesced into a cohesive whole. Characters introduced in one part of the tale continue on in their journeys, but as the book moves from chapter to chapter, there is no clear payoff of why the reader is being asked to jump from place to place.

For instance, one thread follows the zealous academic pursuits of a young scribe whose actions resurrect the town’s ancient colonial-era priest-bot. This once-defunct pastor, refusing to accept obsolescence, finds himself in a world that has moved on, much to the frustration of both the scribe and the local townsfolk. The other thread, a story within a story, which becomes the book’s main plot, delves into Altamira’s most celebrated novel, chronicling the saga of a war god trapped within the body of a goose. This narrative, eagerly consumed by the characters of the first story, explores the attempts of a pacifist cook to postpone the war-god’s violent re-emergence on the battlefield.

In a discussion with Popverse, Simon Roy sheds light on the deeper themes permeating Griz Grobus.

At its core, the comic contemplates the resilience of ancient religious structures in the face of new, materialist circumstances. The story reflects on how old, rigid religious frameworks adapt (or fail to adapt) to the modern, atomized world through characters like Father Stanley, the robot priest. Moreover, the narrative resonates with themes of legacy and the unpredictable impact of one’s actions and intentions once released into the world. Roy’s connection to Father Stanley, admitting that good intentions cannot rectify irritating actions, underscores a poignant reflection on the transient nature of artistic legacy.

The successful Kickstarter campaign for Griz Grobus, meeting its initial goal in less than a day and surpassing stretch goals, is attributed to a combination of relentless online promotion and traditional audience-building methods. The serial publication of Griz Grobus on Patreon since 2017 and its distribution as physical minicomics at conventions and online laid the groundwork for its crowdfunding success. Roy’s experience from a previous Kickstarter campaign, Grip of the Kombinat, further honed his promotional strategies and solidified fan relationships. This blend of digital serialization and physical distribution, coupled with the enthusiastic online community, has paved the way for Griz Grobus to transition from a webcomic to a coveted print edition. While I respect the enthusiasm of Roy’s fanbase, I’m not sure that Roy delivered a product worthy of such ravenous consumption.

Indeed, I suspect that Roy is a better hypeman than a writer, but I must give the man his flowers for his passion and creativity.

Griz Grobus is a testament to the enduring allure of blending genres and the power of community support in bringing visionary comic projects to life. Its exploration of legacy, adaptation, and the human condition, set against the backdrop of a richly imagined sci-fi world, marks it as a must-read for fantasy and science fiction comics fans.

 

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