In search of transcendence – review of the comic book “Down to the ground”

The Boards of Europe collection is a collection of albums that are masterpieces of comic art. The authors use best-selling science fiction stories to show them in a different narrative. The works of Robert Silverberg were positively assessed, among others, by by George RR Martin and Isaac Asimov. In the album Down to the Earth, Philippe Thirault (text) and Laura Zuccheri (illustrations) prepared a real treat for the reader – they illustrated what Silverberg created in the 1960s.

Re-acquainted with the world

The one who read the science fiction novel by the American writer Robert Silverberg Down to the Earth, surely remembers the extraordinary performance of former Lieutenant Edmund Gundersen. The man is immersed in memories related to embarrassing events from the past on Holman’s Planet. At that time, naggiar venom was collected in this area, used, among others, by in reconstructive surgery due to its regenerative properties. Gundersen is appointed deputy of the crazy Jeff Kurtz. He quickly gains knowledge about what (or who?) Lives in Holman’s world. Although elephant-like nildors and humanoid sulidores were viewed as animals during colonial times, people’s attitudes changed under many factors. Due to decolonization, they gained the status of beings endowed with higher intelligence. Under the influence of time, the name of the planet also changed – Holman’s world became Belzagor. Gundersen, returning to the planet after eight years, he feels both excitement and fear. The expedition he goes on with scientists – Dorothy and Sam – is to reveal the truth about the mythical rebirth ceremony.

We are all pilgrims

Eddie Gundersen’s expedition is first and foremost a chance for redemption. The man’s past is filled with shameful images. They cannot be erased by good works. The axis the protagonist follows is shaped by sin and redemption. As time goes on, your attentive reader will notice that the stakes are much higher than you originally thought. The ceremony of rebirth turns out to be as fascinating as it is shocking for the newcomers. The humanoids enable the nildor to purify themselves, and what follows is based on broadly understood mysticism. Down to the groundis an interesting story, despite the fact that it has been deprived of epic fights, clashes of civilization or cataclysms. The main character makes a test the end of which is impossible to predict. Thirault and Zuccheri made sure that the reader was fascinated throughout the story, and the proposed perspective did not lose its relevance over the years. The book also emphasizes the problem of humanity of animals and human animality.

The creators of masterpieces (k) a

Laura Zuccheri and her illustration are known to all readers of the Glass Swords series by Sylviane Corgiat, which was released – similar to Down, to the Earth– by Egmont. The work of the Italian cartoonist is extremely successful. The comic book can not only be read; it should also be watched. The mimics on the characters’ faces suggest their emotional state at the moment, the fantastically created world provokes the reader to dream of extraordinary journeys, and the selected frames – the most significant in the context of the whole story – are remembered for a long time! The verbal layer, for which the Frenchman, Philippe Thirault, is responsible, is also a masterpiece. Compressing a novel by a famous writer to a size appropriate for a comic book is not an easy task, especially in a situation where we want to emphasize the creator’s assumptions. Down to the ground is a successful attempt to present the story of the road in a new, comic book edition.

At first glance

Egmont’s comics are always unique. So I won’t surprise anyone by saying that Down to Earth is also like that. A hard cover with a suggestive cover encourages us to read it and does not let us forget about ourselves. Maybe because of the unusual situation – man and animal (?) Opposite each other. Alien and yet so much alike. The back cover is also unusual, because it tells the reader what can be found in the comic. I am convinced that Thirault and Zuccheri’s proposal deserves your attention!