Cursed Pirate Girl the Devil’s Cave
Cursed Pirate Girl: The Devil’s Cave #1 offers a truly unique and captivating story that sets it apart from other titles in the market. Published by Boom Studios, this comic follows a young girl living the life of a pirate as she embarks on a quest to free her father. The strength of this issue showcases the publisher’s prowess compared to its competitors.
The story of Cursed Pirate Girl is beautifully simple, immersed in mythical characters and centered around a spirited swashbuckler navigating her way towards rescuing her father. The eponymous character, Cursed Pirate Girl, is a compelling protagonist reminiscent of legendary heroes from folklore, as if she had been plucked straight from the pages of a Robert Louis Stevenson novel. Although The Devil’s Cave #1 concludes with an enticing cliffhanger, it serves the story well and undoubtedly leaves readers yearning for the next installment.
One of the highlights of this comic is the abundance of characterization that enriches the narrative. The humor and high-seas adventures provide a diverse cast of characters to enjoy. The sheer number of creatures, originality, and intricate details bursting from each page make this issue a strong contender for one of the year’s best, even in the early stages of 2022. As a reviewer myself, I had a good laugh at the comic’s clever opening featuring a fish-headed critic disparaging the art and storytelling of Cursed Pirate Girl’s previous adventures.
Undoubtedly, the standout feature is Jeremy A. Bastian’s artwork. Bastian, serving as both writer and illustrator, adopts a style reminiscent of Dosch and M.C. Escher. The intricate and elaborate illustrations create visually stunning and complex scenarios that demand extended scrutiny. The level of detail in Bastian’s artwork is where the story truly shines, evoking a sense of unearthing a long-lost journey discovered by an archaeologist from centuries past, akin to the hidden allure of Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland.
The Devil’s Cave may initially perplex readers with its unconventional storytelling structure, presenting the events of Cursed Pirate Girl in a manner that may differ from the standard panel format found in traditional comic books. However, this experimental approach should be embraced as a unique feature rather than a flaw. It may require a few double takes to fully grasp the dialogue, as our minds have been conditioned to consume conversations through word balloons within panel layouts. Once readers acclimate to this distinctive style, the experience becomes refreshingly invigorating. Personally, I was unfamiliar with the tale of this roaming scourge of the seven seas, but after reading The Devil’s Cave, I am eager to delve deeper into her journey and witness the evolution of Bastian’s artwork over time.
