Rajat's Random Ramblings: Retrograde in Review (Too many R's?)

 

Imagine an Earth, very similar to our Earth, yet different.

Different in many ways, despite being so similar.

Residents of this other earth do not use iPhones – they can only trust and rely upon their own "eye".

The world wide web means less than a spider’s web to them.
The only computer they can use, is their own brain.
There are none of the easily recognizable gadgets and products which we have become so used to that we can’t even imagine leaving our house without them.

What? Getting mixed up, yet intrigued?
Welcome to the world of Retrograde.

A whole new world born from within the folds of imagination that had found its roots in the brain of Akshay Dhar.

After a few independent stories, Warblade and WereHouse, we finally get to witness Akshay’s solo work on a series and I must say it was well worth the wait.

Retrograde is the story of a world without technology, where modern science no longer has much meaning and humans have to rely on their own mind and body to survive from day to day.

No, we are not talking about an Amish colony (although that might have been fun). It is a much darker and bleaker place and the residents' struggle to stay alive and carry on to the next day is a regular exercise.

It is a black and white book which, as I have previously stated, is one of my favorite mediums and suits the tone of the story well. Color might not have looked as effective as the shaded black and white does.

Avik Kumar Maitra is the artist for the series with inking and coloring by Swapnil Singh and Naval Thanawal respectively.

The artwork is raw and exciting to look at. If it does not look immediately impressive or striking, that feeling will subside quickly as you move ahead through the story.

The pencils are executed very finely and Avik seems to have done a commendable job in giving it exactly the kind of tone that suits the environment.

Exclusive Preview: Retrograde!!!

The wonderful portable digital dictionary on my computer describes the word 'Retrograde' as 

Retrograde [re-truh-greyd] adjective, can be used in several contexts:

1. (astronomy) moving from east to west on the celestial sphere; or--for planets--around the sun in a direction opposite to that of the Earth
2. Of amnesia; affecting time immediately preceding trauma
3. Going from better to worse
4. Moving or directed or tending in a backward direction or contrary to a previous direction

Going by the preview images, I'd say it contains elements from all of these and more!

My dear readers, I feel extremely pleased to introduce you to the upcoming 2-part Graphic Novel by our very own fellow addict, Akshay Dhar.

Retrograde is being published by Pop Culture Publishing, who are also the good people behind Comic Con Express - Mumbai, which is taking place on 22nd and 23rd October in Mumbai! I'll be there, will you?

A great reason for you to be there will be to get your hands on the first issue of Retrograde. It is being launched at Comic Con Express - Mumbai, on Day One. I wouldn't want to miss out on this one. Retrograde along with the next issue of Ravanayan are on my personal top 'must-haves' list for this season.

We have the first five pages of Retrograde for your viewing pleasure. They are more of a teaser, if you ask me, coz the point at which the preview ends is nail-biting and gripping enough to keep me excited until the 22nd of October!

It is a story set in a post-apocalyptic world where only a handful of individuals are left, fighting for survival and a chance to live their lives again, as few men (and women, of course).

Exclusive Project Reveal: Retrograde

As promised we reveal yet another comic project in the making!

Writer - Akshay Dhar
Artist/Penciller - Avik Kumar Maitra
Inker - Swapnil Singh

Twenty Onwards Media  Ltd

Release Date - April 

Synopsis - as humanity faces the future we are living with the fastest evolving life-form on the planet - technology. Growing and changing almost daily. Today the world as a whole is becoming wired together. The future is a glittering computer console gateway to tomorrow.

Retrograde was a concept born out of the question: What would we do if the world would shut down tomorrow? Imagine waking up in a world where only the most rudimentary tech would work. What would humanity do? How would our world change? A group formed by chance is our prism to tell the story of this likely improbable but likely ever-so possible tomorrow.

The good folks at twenty onwards media have graciously shared the team roster for Retrograde (Click to read in full glory!). What do you guys think?

Our take: 

First Look: We have rarely seen groups in Indian comic industry, so its a welcome sight to see a team comic coming out, and that too a non-superhero one ( from the looks of it)

Concept: It goes without saying , the concept is an appealing one. This series asks the question, what happens when technology fails us? It seems its a dystopian world, and would be interesting to see characters interact with the limited or Neanderthal tech at their disposal. 

Potential: We expect a survival comic with a lot of twists. Like The walking dead, this series has the potential to really scream at us from the character's voices. The best part about the walking dead are the character interactions, and this comic too will rise or fail depending on whether these characters can draw us in. It might also be interesting seeing the world in a new light - one without technology. 

We Indians are a dependent lot on our IT and allied industry. What do you do when all that goes away? Forget that! There is going to be a war fought over basic amenities..

The team roster has a mix of varied personalities and nationals, which could make for an interesting dynamic if they are played well against each other.

We might be over-reaching with just one teaser shown, but we are guessing there would be a reason why the Tech went away. The author may or may not chose to reveal that !..

Lets wait and see what twenty media has to offer!