Bro-D Can’t Be Broken is a review request from Ben Humeniuk before it debuts on January 25, 2023. This 64-page YA graphic novella combines stylizations of different comic movements. In this action-adventure piece, we get an exciting look at comic storytelling at its finest. If you’re in the market this book is getting published by Band of Bards in comic stores or maybe even GlobalComix.
Bro-D Can’t Be Broken With Its Influences
Bro-D combines American 4-color printing, British Invasion narration and dialogue, manga action panels, and bande dessinee backgrounds. This tribute to the comic book medium feels prestige in its presentation. Every action has a weight to it that makes an impact to a bigger world. All of which is under Humeniuk’s design in every creative field.
Visual Storytelling At Its Finest
Bro-D Can’t Be Broken has a pretty simple outline in terms of plot; an underdog story in character and setting. Our heroes are rookies with helpers who don’t really think much of them.
Title character Bro-D for example, seems like a pretty typical himbo. He’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders with plenty of expectations at odds with his urges. Brody’s superior practically encourages him to be some stoic action hero. But he cares too much to be anything like that.
Then there’s M-Ander, Brody’s handler and crush. She’s got people looking over their shoulders because of her past and because she might be a distraction for Brody. While she tries to play it cool, Ander has to work twice as hard for the love that she wants.
These two perfectly reflect a future post-post-apocalyptic world. After so much friction, humanity has a chance to thrive by standing strong united. But there are forces at play who want things to go back to a simpler time. It’s no surprise that it’s in the form of a villain resembling Jack Kirby’s demigods. This combo of Thor and Hercules feels like the dominating pressure Humeniuk feels of competing with bigger comics. That people would choose something familiar rather than start anew.
Risk Vulnerability For A Reward
But that’s why Bro-D Can’t Be Broken is so exciting! The way the heroes come of age and execute their arcs shows off Humeniuk’s full potential. There’s as much synergy to the plot as there are to the comic art techniques. Everything comes together so seamlessly that comparing this graphic novel to anything is meaningless.
So if you still have doubts, the final rating is 9/10.
Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.