Advance Review: ‘Freaks Squeele’ Vol. 1 Doesn’t Fully Translate
by Benjamin Hall
Summary
Schools like the Academy of Hero Studies provide future heroes with training for adventure and the resultant media aftermath. Follow along as three students learn the ropes and interact with their fellow classmates. Yet, what secrets will you discover along the way? In particular what is the headmaster apparently up to?
Overall
7.4/10The narrative comes from writer, artist, and colorist Florent Maudoux, plus translator Dan Christensen. While the localization and edition layout falls to Magnetic Press publisher Mike Kennedy.
The translation from French to English is fine for the majority of the text. However, there are instances where it does not occur. Also, quite a few words are obviously absent from sentences. In other words, this set of flaws is apparent enough that either Christensen or Kennedy should catch them. Unfortunately, neither of the two seems to notice the flaws, and this will result in some level of disruption for each type of reader. Still, the dialogue that sees successful translation comes off as believable and realistic for the fantastical world that Maudoux is giving readers.
On the plus side of things, Maudoux’s artistic talents display a clear eye for detail. For example, the body proportions of each character, including the monsters, never deviate from their respective model. Not to mention that Maudoux draws both facial expressions and feet extremely well. Though, like video game designer Hideo Kojima and his work on the Metal Gear franchise, Maudoux is obvious with his influences and possibly his fetishes (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots [2008]). Maudoux’s style seems to be a merging of French comics and Japanese manga, along with some of his background in animation work. This helps make the original characters feel relatively unique in design. Although select analogues that have cameos seem just a step away from probably violating copyright.
There is a portion of the overall narrative that is in color. While the hues enhance the art a little bit, the palette is arguably too bland for most to enjoy.
The original word balloons appear to still be a part of the English translation. This would be fine, but the font for the English words is very small in comparison to all of the balloons. Also, there is one balloon that covers up almost an entire panel. However, this final flaw seems to be the fault of Maudoux instead of Christensen or Kennedy. Despite the existence of these and the other flaws, the majority of this comic book is very high-quality material.
Freaks Squeele Vol. 1 sees release from Magnetic Press in book stores on Wednesday 7th July, and in comic shops on July 8th.
