Reviews

Newsarama

This is a meaty book and not only because it clocks in at over a hundred pages. It’s a Čapekian-tempered steampunk fantasy on a world where evolution is the process of organic creatures turning mechanical. This progression from flesh to machine is believed to be the will of the gods and to rebel, as protags Alix and Baltimo do, is to quickly incite the wrath and the punishment of the droidish Authorities. It’s hard science fiction, which means that there’s a thickness to the storytelling apropos of the genre.

Each panel just lifts off the page, enticing the reader to reach out and touch the machines. (Can’t be done. I tried.) It’s a hazy planet hued in rusts and browns and Clarey’s work is so realistic that you can almost smell oxidation coming off the page. Like the environment, the mechanoids themselves are not pretty, all buffed smooth and gleaming like something fresh off an Asimov production line.
(Jeff Marsick, For The Full Review Click Here)

Aint It Cool News

ARCHEOLOGISTS OF SHADOWS (AOS) is a bold and ambitious project that could redefine the graphic novel industry – or collapse into obscurity under the weight of its own epicness. I say that because AOS is like nothing I’ve ever seen before in this medium, and it might scare some people away with its presentation. In other words, comic book geeks may not be ready for something as unique as this–at least not yet. Think Marty McFly’s gnarly guitar solo at the end of BACK TO THE FUTURE (and the faces of his peers) and you may have an understanding of what I mean. This is a new direction for comics, if you can even call this a comic, and according to Septagon Studios, it’s one that has been five years in the making.

They describe AOS as a “sci-fi/steampunk mash-up with a very unique art style thatcombines drawing, sculpture, photography, photo manipulation, and digital painting.” That’s quite a mouthful. And illustrator Patricio Clarey names STAR WARS, THE MATRIX, BLADERUNNER, TERMINATOR, LORD OF THE RINGS and AVATAR as influences. He also names the work of industry icons like Alex Ross, Dave McKean and Shaun Tan as inspirations to his work. That’s a pretty good way to describe his art, because if Alex Ross had too many mushrooms and fell asleep watching the SyFy channel, this is probably what his dreams would look like.
(Mr. Pasty, For The Full Review Click Here)

Geeks of Doom

The symbiosis of illustration and prose in Archeologists Of Shadows: The Resistance was astounding! I can only sit here, stunned and amazed.

Imagine a world where all things organic are being mechanized. People, animals, bugs…everything. Our protagonists, Baltimo211447w and Alix1739413x (known as files, not people), are unwilling to continue the process that is converting their world to machines. Resistance is futile or so they are told (Yeah, I used a Star Trek/Borg reference, get over it). They are offered a chance to escape this living nightmare and they take it. This is the beginning of our adventure and we are completely submerged into a beautifully rendered (both in words and art) story.
(Gary Makries, For The Full Review Click Here)

Comics Bulletin

Archeologists of Shadows is beautiful to behold. The art in this science fiction/fantasy/steampunk mash-up is absolutely breathtaking. Artist Patricio Clarey has created fully realized worlds of such intricacy and depth that I found myself lingering over almost every page, taking in each and every little detail and nuance.

Argentinian born Clarey’s art is certainly reminiscent of the work of Dave McKean or Menton Mathews III, but it has a life all its own. The publishers, Septagon Studios, describe it as a “unique style that combines drawing, sculpture, photography, photo manipulation and digital painting to create art that has a 3D quality.” Clarey’s layouts, color palette, perspective, and pacing are innovative, elegant, and stunning. His art is a perfect match for the story the book undertakes
(Daniel Elkin, For The Full Review Click Here)

Broken Frontier

It’s important to note that Archeologists of Shadows is a digital release, thus the irresistible price. It’d be fantastic to see this in print, but in today’s marketplace, the fact that the family-owned publisher has embraced digital over the risky costs of paper is no surprise.

Fuentes is a Spanish writer with journalistic experience, while Clarey is an Argentinian graphic designer and conceptual artist. That unique background makes everything about this book stand out, and the fact that it’s taken five years to be completed is also evident. This is a lusciously realised, beautifully rendered visual tale and obviously a passion project for the pair.
(Kris Bather, For The Full Review Click Here)

Daily Blam

In addition to the premise, Archeologists of Shadows has some original, beautiful artwork. It is achieved with a combination of digital art, sculpture, and photography. After reading the comic for the content I highly recommend taking a closer look at Patricio Clarey’s characters and the world they inhabit, partially because it’s made up of components of the world around us and partially because it’s so damn gorgeous.

To further highlight the Mechanization Process, besides turning humans into walking appliances through his artwork, everything in the cityscape from animals (robot cats and roosters) to signs depicted as bar codes reflects this artificial world. Even the frames around the panels are bracketed pipes to bring this theme into the creative process itself.
(Cassandra Rose, For The Full Review Click Here)

Scifi Mafia

Archeologists of Shadows: The Resistance is a breath-taking, unique vision of artistic talent. Lara Fuentes and Patricio Clarey have created a steampunk fantasy unlike anything that I’ve encountered before in a world where man has evolved into machine.

Patricio Clarey’s visual style is incredible and utilizes digitally manipulated photography, drawing, painting, and sculpture to create the unique world of Archeologists of Shadows.
(Brandon Johnston, For The Full Review Click Here)

Omnicomic

Could you imagine if all life was of the machine nature? A world where anything organic must be turned into a machine version by choice or forced into conversion and losing one’s identity. I was given the chance to read a new graphic novel from Septagon Studios named Archeologists of Shadows Vol. 1: The Resistance, which depicts such a world in a steampunk mechanical setting.

This graphic novel was created by writer Lara Fuentes and artist Patricio Clarey, who bring a world to life that’s full of some vivid imagery that has to be some of the most fantastic artwork I’ve seen in a graphic novel. All manner of detail and color is done to a fine line that makes the story that much more impactful.
(Jonathan, For The Full Review Click Here)

Review Fix

Independent comic book companies always get a bad rap. Working with unknown talent and covering topics and developing characters and stories that often lack mainstream appeal, it’s often difficult for casual comic book fans to get into their material.However, every once in a while, an indie comic comes along that is simply enthralling and different.

Septagon Studios’ “Archeologists of Shadows,” with its unique look and one of a kind story, is one independent comic that sheds the labels many indie comics today face. The duo of writer Lara Fuentes and artist Patricio Clarey tell a multi-faceted tale that takes some time to develop, but eventually draws you in and intrigues in a way where you’ll want more by the time it’s all over.
(Patrick Hickey Jr, For The Full Review Click Here)

Comix Tribe

In writing any kind of review of The Resistance, the first volume in the Archeologists of Shadows series of graphic novels by writer Lara Fuentes and artist Patricio Clarey, the first thing that immediately demands to be commented on is the extraordinary artwork. Blending traditional pencils, painted artwork, 3D modelling, photography and sculpting, the combined result is absolutely breathtaking. In particular, the locations are so lush and nuanced, they feel like they have depth, like you could walk into them. Rich and textured, Clarey’s visuals are unlike anything else you’re likely to see in a comic.
(John Lees, For The Full Review Click Here)

Stumptown Trade Review

Every once in a while a book comes along that forces the reader to sit up and take notice. Archeologists of Shadows is just that book!

This is classic sci-fi with a twist. With elements of technology, religion, and some old-fashioned intrigue, Archeologists of Shadows has something for everyone. Two “people” are on the run from the authorities. They are resisting the mandate that they must mechanize, in essence give up their humanity and become machines, all because the Gods tell them to.
(Brian, For The Full Review Click Here)

Jazma Online

The visuals are out of this world. The futuristic steampunk look of the city and the train are eye catching, the train is a artistic delight for the eyes. The mechanical futuristic aspects are outstanding. This world of mechanized wonder is lacking humanity.The story is riveting. Two people decide not to give in to becoming machines. They decide to control their own fate and keep what remains of their humanity.
(Richard Vasseur, For The Full Review Click Here)

3 Million Years

Every so often I get to see something special.With over 100 pages of story, art and writings, this took me a while to get through, but boy! was it worth it!An amazing front cover which stands out in an excellent way – I am a big proponent of covers being something to draw the eye, and this does just that! Colour, light and size are what stands out to me in this, the colour pallet is incredible, giving the shadows and the lights the emphasis that it deserves, I struggle to think of any comic I have read that reflects this well. Along with the panels and boarders, the pages stand out in a way which doesn’t seem possible.
(Michael Nimmo, For The Full Review Click Here)

Comics Cube

Welcome, true believers. It’s time for another round with me. And I’m happy to say that I can bring you something different for today, with regards from our Master, The Tano!! Today we have a review of a book from Septagon Studios called ARCHEOLOGISTS OF SHADOWS: THE RESISTANCE. First things first: yes, it’s written “archeologists” (as opposed to the correct spelling of archaeologists), I have no idea why, but it seems to be on purpose. We’ll just let this one slip through, shall we? So where do we start?.
( Robert Leichsenring, For The Full Review Click Here)

The Geek and Ink Well

I know what you are thinking – “Archeologists” is not spelled right. Well, I would tend to agree with you, but that is how it is spelled on the cover of the graphic novel, so there you have it.

As I’ve said before, I’m relatively new to the world of graphic novels and comics. The first graphic novel I ever read was Watchmen, but fortunately, being initiated into the genre by such a monumental and canonical work did not set me up to be disappointed by everything else I encountered. To the contrary, I realized how powerful and moving such a style of storytelling can be.
(Michelle, For The Full Review Click Here)

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