Title: Black Noblesse
Creators: Copoki
Introduction
I discovered Black Noblesse on Reddit when the creator was looking for reviews on their comic. Having started with my own publishing house qissacomics, it gave me an idea that I could review other Indie artist and learn from them.
Black Noblesse stands out as one of the more actively updated comics, with 8 chapters currently available on GlobalComix, the latest released just a week before writing this review.
For this review, I’ve focused on the Prologue and the first two chapters.
Synopsis
Black Noblesse centers around Nailah Pristine, a determined young girl of humble origins with ambitions to become the Elysian—the guardian of the Ether Empire's prosperity. Taken in by the esteemed Pristine family, but Nailah faces countless challenges, including societal expectations, gender disadvantages, and her own self-doubts. The comic follows her relentless journey to prove herself worthy of her dreams against all odds.
Artwork & Visual Presentation
The artwork features a black-and-white manga style with refreshing character designs that stand out. The paneling is straightforward, primarily using simple rectangles, which keeps the focus on the narrative. While there’s potential for more dynamic layouts—like using trapezoids to heighten tension or making characters break the panels to highlight key moments—though the simplicity works in favor of the story, ensuring the narrative flows smoothly.
Each character’s appearance is distinct, giving them a unique flavor and strong recall value, which enhances the overall visual appeal of the comic.
Verdict: 7.5/10
Writing & Storytelling
The writer has crafted an elaborate history for this world, filled with intriguing concepts. Although the prologue felt a bit heavy on world-building, the first moment that truly captured my interest was the depiction of the floating islands, which appeared after a dense introduction of the land's history. The prologue delves deep, introducing numerous terms like Elysian, Emerald Knight, Deviant, and Lowlanders, which could feel overwhelming at first.
The first chapter, titled "Succession," provides a straightforward start to Nailah's journey. I particularly enjoyed the chemistry between Nailah, Kenny, and Gawain, along with the charming backstory of how they became friends. It would be great to see a simple yet clever interaction between Nailah and her father, adding more depth and making his decision about the Succession more compelling.
Chapter 2 truly elevates the story with a well-executed action sequence, a shocking turn of events, and a cliff-hanger ending that leaves readers eager for more. It introduces to the true challenges that Nailah is up for.
Verdict: 8/10
Overall Impressions
What Worked:
Distinctive Character Designs: Each character stands out visually, enhancing their recall and making the world feel rich and vibrant.
Cohesive Paneling: The simple, straightforward panel layout keeps the focus on the story, ensuring that the narrative is easy to follow without distraction. The clean approach supports the storytelling, even if it occasionally plays it safe.
Engaging Storytelling with Strong Chemistry: The interactions among characters, particularly Nailah, Kenny, and Gawain, feel genuine and relatable, providing a solid foundation for the narrative.
What Didn’t Work:
Heavy Initial World-Building: The prologue’s dense introduction of the world’s history and terminology can feel overwhelming and may slow down the initial engagement. The heavy exposition upfront might challenge some readers who prefer action-driven openings.
Potential for More Dynamic Visuals: While the straightforward paneling helps maintain narrative clarity, there is room for more creative layouts to elevate the visual storytelling.
Simplicity in Plot Decisions: Some plot points, such as the decision for the successor, feel too straightforward and lack the complexity needed to fully convince the reader. Adding more layers to these decisions could enhance the overall narrative depth and engagement.
Final Rating: 8/10
Conclusion
"Black Noblesse" is an engaging comic that hooks you once you get through the dense prologue, quickly connecting you to its distinct characters and making you root for them. Although the story starts off simple and straightforward, by the end of Chapter 2, it becomes clear that there are deeper complexities and higher stakes at play. As one of the more actively published comics, I’m excited to see how the story evolves in the upcoming chapters!
Where to Read:
Global Comix: https://globalcomix.com/c/black-noblesse-
Comic Credits
Published By - Copoki
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