Orc Island: Is The Bargain of a Lifetime Worth It?

Orc Island from Bad Idea is an atmospheric fantasy world where the only thing that seems to matter is profit. Without even a hint of sincerity, the only way out is with a lot of money. But what happens when the biggest bounty reveals just how hollow a rise in status is?

Orc Island: Capitalism’s Desensitization

Joshua Dysart presents a subversive fantasy world post-epic battle. Unlike The Fellspyre Chronicles or Coda, this series focuses on a recession generation. Think of it like the 1973-1975 recession, where the economic expansion after WWII came to an end. Like that era only the rich High Patriarchs prosper with their status being aspirational. With temples that float in the air, it’s easy to see why. Except that the 70s didn’t have rich folks full of fanatics practically wanting to be slaughtered.

Then there’s our protagonist Cerrin Son Sion, a half-elf on the bottom of the social ladder. He’s bitter and angry like many other city dwellers, wishing for a better life. Cerrin gets his chance to adventure to the titular island to turn his fortunes around. But like most subversive fantasies, there’s no escape from the world’s vanity or hardships. His benefactor Urghia is a casual bigot and is using Cerrin to maximize her profits. Urghia in turn is after the fortune her grandfather made in selling Orc skulls to the Patriarchs. But like any nostalgia, the reality isn’t as glamorous.

Once our POVs reach Orc Island, there is shocking disgust in the readers. While readers are grateful that Cerrin lives another day, the way the group slaughters defenseless orcs shows how desensitized to violence and exploitation they are. In the words of an old swamp orc, the cast has been shallow by the world.

Fear Leaves No Room For Kindness

In the final issue, readers see just how this commodified world treats kindness. When Cerrin and his only means of escape reach an agreement with no hassle, Cerrin’s betrayed anyway. Which is tragic as Cerrin never did anything bad to the half-crazed mystic. For that matter, he was the closet thing the half-elf had to a friend for the whole journey. But Andune feared Cerrin and other people having power over him again to take a jab at kindness.

The Wonder In Discovery

The settings are made with breathtaking illustrations by Alberto Ponticelli. The city feels cramped and looks ready to consume whoever’s in its walls. In contrast, anything outside feels liberating with open space and deteriorating architecture. Plus travel by sea and the Mist Barrier looks amazing thanks to Matt Hollingsworth’s colors. It gives the feeling of arriving into a whole new world.

Of course the grotesque designs of the orcs show that visitors aren’t exactly welcome. That is until you remember how dehumanizing the orcs like this commodifies them. Thankfully a caravan of orcs show the festive side of their culture. It actually feels pretty welcome.

Issue 3 has probably some of the best lettering by Dave Sharpe. When some fantasy cannabis turns into music notes, readers feel with Cerrin just how much they’ve wronged the orcs. Because following along with the song comes a sense of being sublime. It helps if the reader can read music notes.

The Abstract Parallels

The final issue would bring everything together in one of the most avant-garde displays possible through the orcs’ god. This alien eldritch abomination design makes it impossible to forget or even comprehend how its body works. The color of its mobile appendage(?) stands out all the more. Finally the way it speaks through ghastly lettering and how it forces a new perspective allows readers to feel its full power. Normally turning a comic on its side is a controversial move; at least when it’s used as shorthand. But in two pages are a fluxing state of motion that’s both disorienting and mesmerizing. Up until the comic reorients itself on the next page with sublime imagery.

Orc Island: Risk For The Reward?

Orc Island is probably one of the more gut-wrenching things to come out of Bad Idea. It’s intelligent commentary on recessions and fantasy tropes blends well together. Plus with artwork that emphasizes natural wonders and terrors makes this a series to remember. Overall it gets 9/10.