The nameless girl
A girl in the ranks of a street gang is tasked with breaking into a mansion occupied by a mysterious figure. According to circulating stories, it is a wizard of great power. After jumping over the wall, the heroine comes across two creatures made of porcelain who have no friendly intentions towards her. She is saved from trouble by the host and since then her life has changed completely. The little girl is accepted under the roof of her savior, dressed, fed and given the opportunity to experience a bit of normality in life, which she did not have the opportunity to meet while being a gang member. A man who hears many different unpleasant things turns out to be very friendly and sympathetic. However, you can see that it also hides some secrets. He is also troubled by loneliness, so he enjoys the presence of a new, unexpected guest.
dark world
The world presented in the pages of the comic has a heavy, almost claustrophobic atmosphere. Social inequalities are emphasized and the population is absolutely required to obey. If someone makes a mistake, he has no place in this society. The people living there are more like prisoners than citizens. Despite the simplicity of the script, it is solidly guided. Over time, more and more cards are revealed, dark forces enter the scene, thanks to which the story’s atmosphere matches the atmosphere of horror. At some point, the entire fantasy background disappears into the shadows, which gives us the opportunity to take a closer look at the relationships between the characters. Despite the fact that we do not know much about the girl and her new companion, they arouse sympathy.
Balance between a fairy tale and realism
My favorite element of the Porcelana comic book turned out to be the drawings by Chris Wildgoose. He managed to capture the atmosphere of a city full of injustice, reminiscent of Victorian London. The set designs created by him are detailed, but at the same time the frames do not bend under their weight. Porcelain creatures could boldly join the ranks of many horror stories. The emotions on the characters’ faces were also perfectly presented. All of this fits in with the chill vibe throughout history. The sketches at the end of the album will help us understand his creative process.
Summary
The first of the three volumes in the Porcelain series is a really good opening. In it, we get to know a dark, injustice world in which man is something that can always be replaced when it does not meet expectations. Gradually, we also observe the nascent relationship between the Little One and a mysterious man with amazing abilities. The whole is complemented by drawings that perfectly reflect the atmosphere. I think that every reader will find something for themselves – especially adults will be able to appreciate the emotions that haunt the characters.
