Discordia is a classic noir story set in the aftermath of a cataclysmic event that changed the world. Fischer is a PI with a past that he keeps very private. A client blackmails Fischer to search for a missing girl. Rose is a prostitute and rot addict working in a brothel for some very dangerous clients. A fatal encounter sets her on the run. Their paths cross during an eventful train journey. The world building is superb.
The cast is well-developed and forceful. None of them are passive, they are engaged in getting what they want. This creates tension and momentum when they encounter each other. The reader is involved and engaged by the action and pulled directly into the story.
Kristopher Jones structured the story with craft and attention to detail. From the first page, the story plunges the reader into the world of Discordia with no delay or detail. Several preludes prior to the start of the major story provide some information about the state of the world. This is very confident writing; it allows the reader to trust the writing and enjoy the way the story is unfolding.
The events of the major story are classic noir storytelling, something that is difficult to get right. The context and the cast are all under severe pressure and none are nice. They have energy and determination, and this makes it possible to become involved with them rather than being repelled by them. The stakes are high enough to generate tension and anticipation.
The art by Patrick Buermeyer is astonishing. The cast, human and otherwise, are expressive. Their body language is clear, and they interact naturally with each other in the panels. The action sequences are vivid and easy to read. The details are amazing; they give the context weight and ground the cast firmly in the location. The panel layouts are a joy. They use the fact of static pictures in a creative and engaging way. The colouring brings out the emotional tones of the story and the art. It is noir colouring, dark enough to give the atmosphere, and still displays all the details.
Toben Racicot lettering flows with the art and the story. The cast have voices; the lettering creates conversations, not a series of statements.
Discordia, a fantastic comic, tells a story that no other form can convey. The creators understand the mechanics of comic storytelling and have used them to wonderful effect.
