There is nothing quite like reading a webcomic you have been keeping up when it is published in its entirety. Hari Conner‘s Nyx in the Overworld is a fast-paced and fun fantasy world comic, leading the audience through an adventure full of battles and intrigue. The crux of the plot is that protagonist Nyx’s mother requires rescuing and Nyx, on the way to rescuing her, meets a slew of interesting characters both good and bad.
The main aim of the characters’ quest is to reach the Empire in order to find out what has occurred. The comic is accompanied by appealing colours and backdrops giving it an atmosphere of life and vitality that leads the reader into an array of humorous dialogue.
Reading Nyx in the Overworld is an extremely positive experience, especially if you are familiar with RPG games, as action scenes throughout the comic are perceived as though they are taking place in an RPG. Nobody in the comic but the main character Nyx perceives the world through this lens, though, lending itself to an interesting commentary on the genre. There are moments when the RPG aspects allow for some extra humour within the comic which adds another layer of comedy nestled amongst the other jokes.
The character designs of the various fae cast are diverse and intriguing whilst also representing a particular type of character, and the comic is split up into ‘levels’ reinforcing the idea of an RPG. The level title cards are generally beautiful illustrations with detailed backdrops which create a sense of progression within the narrative whilst also providing a break for the reader.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the story is that LGBT+ characters exist without much questioning or definition, which is a welcome change. Throughout the book there is certainly growth within the art, as with many collected webcomics, which serves as a testament to the creator’s growth along with that of their audience. It also highlights the amount of work that was placed into the project. Suiting the story within the comic, as the characters grow to higher levels so too does the art move alongside. When I looked back on the earlier pages it brought about an air of nostalgia, reminding me of the first time I laid eyes on the comic.
Another rather enjoyable aspect of Nyx in the Overworld is the different speech patterns of the characters. One of the most noticeable contrasts is the character Sylven’s speech when compared to everyone else’s. When reading it leads to an entirely different feel as the simplistic speech patterns help to further the character’s backstory. Also effective is the black panel borders which contrast with the backgrounds nicely and provide the opportunity for white texts to stand out even further.
Nyx in the Overworld is a colourful jaunt into a pleasant fantasy world, delivered with enthusiasm by creator Hari Conner.
Hari Conner (W/A) • Self-published, £15.00
You can buy Nyx in the Overworld online here.
Review by Holly Raidl
