Graphic Novel Review: Orcs: Forged for War
Orcs: Forged for War
Writer: Stan Nicholls
Artist(s): Joe Flood
Genre(s): Fantasy
Publisher: First Second Books
Availability: Paperback
Description: Orcs: Forged for War is an original story – a new entry in this series, not an adaptation of old material. It follows a ruthless and deadly cohort of warrior orcs as they fight their way free of the dominion of an evil human enchantress. Sitting on an exhilarating peak with high fantasy on one side and the thrilling, gruesome battlefields of graphic novel classics like Frank Miller’s 300 on the other, Orcs presents the world of its ogre-like protagonists with technicolor violence and moments of unexpected sympathy.
This graphic novel could be called ‘The Secret Lives of Orcs.’ Actually, in Orcs: Forged for War, the life of the regular everyday Orc isn’t secret. The life of Stan Nicholls’s Orcs are in fact nowhere near what you have been led to believe. Tolkien and Dungeons & Dragons have shaped for us just what Orcs are and how they act. Nicholls has taken a great opportunity to turn those stereotypes and turn them on their heads.
Wait, turn them on their heads is a bit of an overstatement. Let’s say turn those preconceived notions on their side so they don’t puke and choke on that belly bile.
The novel takes us to a world where Orcs, while still brutal, are not the mindless, soulless, evil creatures we have come to know and loathe – adapted from and based on two trilogies of novels, also by Nicholls entitled Orcs: First Blood Trilogy and Orcs: Bad Blood Trilogy. Thanks to an outstanding introduction, you don’t have to have read any of the novels to understand and enjoy this graphic view into an ancient race that is truly forged for war. Now I understand that a title like the one in question conjures up a large hulking beast being cut out of a giant mucosal membrane by other equally hulking abominations (thank you Lord of the Rings…). But in the case of these Orcs in this world, things are different.
In the land of Maras-Dantia, Orcs are a member of the elder races that include an eclectic mix of exotic creatures. There is a new kid on the block known as a Human and they have ruined the balance that once reigned. These usurper Humans not only reproduce quickly but are ruining the environment and eating up the magic of the world. The cut and burn attitude that the Humans have adopted has caused a war between them humans and the elder races. Members of the original inhabitants have chosen sides, deciding to stay loyal or to side with the enemy. The good news for the elder races is that the Humans are fighting a war amongst themselves based on differences in religious beliefs. Sound familiar?
Now that you have an idea of what this graphic novel contains, let’s review this bad boy… I mean bad Orc.
I have not read the novels that inspired this work, but based on this read alone, those novels have quickly made my “to read list”. The artwork reminded me of a nugget from my past, Elf Quest. I haven’t read it in years, and within a page or two, the art from Orcs: Forged for War made me think of Elves, to think it would. The introduction is well done, informative, and short. In a few pages we learn about the author’s motivations for looking at Orcs in a different way, and a quick once over the world of Maras-Dantia and the races that live there. I enjoyed how the artist introduced the major characters as well as the supporting cast of the platoon of Orcs that are the focus of this story. During the opening, it is hard to tell the difference between the each of the Orcs, but you can identify them contextually with little or no problem.
These Orcs are mercenaries: deadly, unapologetic mercenaries. They kill and they kill well, and because of their job, this book is violent and gory. I would not recommend it to the young ones. The art style gives this graphic novel an earthy, natural feel, and I’m not saying that the Orcs are nature children or Druids in training, but they do have a respect for nature and are not happy with how the Humans are treating it. At times the artwork took on sketchbook like qualities, but I don’t attribute this to laziness. It is more of a style issue. I get it, but I’m not sure how much I like those sketchy frames.
The storyline doesn’t do much to surprise the reader, but it is solid. The characters develop quickly and are likeable. Yes, likeable Orcs. The unique way in which the author entices us to like the Orcs is where the unique comes in. These Orcs, while possessing a sense of honor and having a culture that doesn’t just consist of rutting, eating and killing, are still Orcs. In the story, we get a peek into their culture but still get to see that they are definitely born for battle. These Orcs love to fight and fight hard. They are not savages, just warriors. They are willing to use whatever tools they need to accomplish their mission. These Orcs definitely have savage nobility that is intriguing and fun to read about.
This is a great graphic novel. The art is stylistic and its rough, color outside of the lines style is fitting. The squared off chins of the Orcs and blocky depictions of their shoulders give the reader an idea of just how suited to their mercenary profession they really are. The introduction and the history of Maras-Dantia are concise, and there is violence by the bloody bucket load splattered throughout this graphic novel but it’s not gratuitous but it gets awfully close and I loved it!
If you enjoy fantasy, Orcs, great fight scenes, and solid art, this novel is for you. If you believe what JRR told you or don’t like depictions of Humans getting run through with broad swords or Goblins getting their skulls split (sweet!), you might want to pass this one up.
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