There is a lot to digest in Dandelion, Image Comics’ anthology written by Sabir Pirzada with an all-star cast of artists. In Pirzada’s bold, yet alarming, vision of the not-too-distant future, climate change and automation have cost millions their homes. As such, a new civilisation is formed in the skies as part of the Dandelion Project. To have their basic human needs met, vagrants, immigrants without asylum and displaced workers are granted a floating pod but at the cost of their freedom. These ‘Exiles’ may never step foot on the Earth again.
Tula Lotay
The anthology begins with a story titled ‘One Way Ticket’ which sets the tone for the rest of the book. Here, a married couple who have hit desperate times have paid into the Dandelion scheme. However, the representative they meet with inform the couple that the deal has since changed. If they want to set foot in their new home, they must now also give up their beloved car, stripping away their only asset and with it a huge part of their identities. The theme of Government corruption and greed is all too prevalent and the gap between social classes has only widened in this speculative future. In this first story, Martín Morazzo gives readers a first look at the magnitude of the Dandelion project, a design concept by Corwin Herse Woo.
Martín Morazzo and Juha Veltti
As the anthology continues, Pirzada fleshes out his version of the future. We meet new ‘Exiles’, some who are totally engrossed in the VR offered to appease them, others who choose to fight back against those who have oppressed them (to which, of course, there are devastating consequences). A personal favourite story is titled ‘True North’ with art by Roy Allan Martinez and colours by Jacob Phillips, which further humanizes the ‘Exiled’ and shows how their newfound community looks out for each other. The kindness shown in this story is a message that can be taken from the entire anthology, every member of society must look out for each other, and if we do, we may find ourselves in a fairer future.
Roy Allan Martinez and Jacob Phillips
As we read from story to story, there is a break in between chapters which offers an extract from the ‘Stratosphere Podcast’ or project files. This is almost reminiscent of the X-Men’s Krakoa Era where additional information is included outside of the comic book’s panels to add depth to the story. Pirzada uses these pages to successfully contribute to the ongoing mystery of who created the Dandelion project in the first place.
Vanesa Del Rey and Juha Veltti
Dandelion is an anthology that is easy to read in one sitting due to the high quality of writing and artwork. However, to better appreciate the truths behind the book and the artistic talent, I can recommend reading Dandelion more than once! It must have been a joy for Pirzada and his editorial team to receive pages in their inboxes from the different artists. Despite the many art styles associated with the book, it is not jarring to read from one story to another. Instead, the pages flow seamlessly, as if the cast of artists and their colourists were always destined to work together. Letterers, Aditya Bidikar and Taylor Esposito complement each story, with captions not contained in boxes but instead free on the page, reminding us that it is one complete tale that we are reading.
Eric Koda and Juha Veltti
With its thought-provoking vision of the future, Dandelion is sure to be one of this summer’s unmissable anthologies, reminding readers of everything that is good about reading comics in this format. I hope to see this pool of creators work together again one day.
Sabir Pirzada (W), Martín Morazzo, Vanesa Del Rey, Eric Koda, Roy Allan Martinez, Gegé Schall, Thomas Campi, Adrian Rivero, Juha Veltti, Marquis Rogers (A), Juha Veltti, Jacob Phillips, Lee Loughridge (C), Aditya Bidikar, Taylor Esposito (L), Tula Lotay (CA) • Image Comics, $16.99
Review by Ellie Egleton
