Publisher: Titan Comics
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Price: $34.00
Creator(s): Alessandro Barbucci, Barbara Canepa
Format: 232 pgs., Full-Color, Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-7827-6736-7
Age Rating: Mature
ICv2 Rating: 5 Stars out of 5
Noa, a female android known as a "Sky Doll," lives in a universe ruled by the Papess Lodovica whose edicts and staged "miracles" are disseminated by a massive media complex and devoured by her faithful followers. Unlike other Sky Dolls she can think for herself and, desperate to escape an empty existence of servitude, stows away on a passing spaceship. While onboard she bonds with an innocent missionary named Roy that's unaware of the true purpose of his mission to the planet Aqua.
Sky Doll plays with the themes of repressive religion and media manipulation in a plot concerning warring religious sect but is kept from being a dire sermon thanks in large part to the presence of Noa. She's a funny and forthright protagonist who provides moments of comedy and even romance as the instant attraction between Noa and Roy grows.
Created by Alessandro Barbucci and Barbara Canepa, Sky Doll: Decade is every bit as beautiful and compelling as the team’s previous collaboration on the Disney W.I.T.C.H. graphic novels. Though fans of their work should be aware this has nudity and sexual content and is intended for an older audience. And while this material has been previously published in English, first in Heavy Metal magazine and then by Marvel Comics in association with Soleil Productions, this volume includes an introduction by the authors as well as a section of "homages" where Barbucci and Canepa's characters are interpreted by a wide variety of artists.
--Steve Bennett: Writer and retail services consultant.
