I've been reading through comics a bit more lately while I've been recovering from either the flu or covid, and I've been having a lot of fun finding new things and experimenting a bit more with the extra time I have. Just the other day I stumbled across something called Giants, and it was a great surprise mostly due to its unique and vibrant art style that very quickly captivated me, alongside a really engaging introduction to a story that displayed an empty, frozen-over world that is now heavily controlled by various forms of gigantic insects and humanoid beings. These creatures dominate the surface to which it's already mostly uninhabitable by humans, leaving cities decaying and the remainder of humanity kept underground where it's moderately safer. A material that is left behind by the dead giants is well-sought with the properties it has as a fuel to generate heat for the survivors underground, but the few that have managed to make a life for themselves above the surface have discovered that the material is also incredibly valuable for the purpose of using it as a fertiliser, growing crops in a world where crops would simply otherwise no longer grow. This material is ultimately the foundation of the story, the main reason to which anything actually happens at all. In the first comic, two young teens are tasked with obtaining some for the underground, and by doing so they'd be given entry into one of the more prestigious gangs in the underground. Naive and certainly willing, the two venture above the surface and things go wrong, leading to the two separating.
I liked the story to begin with within the first comic, but it quickly led us down a more dramatic path that decided to turn the two friends against each other with little depth and explanation as to why, and around the time things got interesting, it felt as if the comic was already approaching its end. It came and went incredibly quickly, and I mentioned in my main review of the comic that I would've loved to have seen a bit more character development and world building due to the engaging snippets of it we did end up getting. And I again have to mention that a significant strength within the comic was its art style, which stood out beautifully. Again, it appears that the art style remains a strength here in Giants: Ghosts of Winter, the comic's second story. While the first comic had its weaknesses, I was excited to dive into Ghosts of Winter in hopes that those weaknesses would be addressed and the main problems I had would be solved with a deeper exploration of the world and the characters it holds. I was kind of hoping that the previous characters would be left untouched, and with a new set of characters explored to tell the tale of another perspective within this world. It's a little more of a sequel though, featuring the characters from the first comic with a bit of a time leap after the previous comic's events led to the group having to leave behind their safety and food. I noticed a bit of a reference to the world of anime with a panel in the opening that seemed to resemble a frame from Cowboy Bebop, and I think that sort of reference to other material is what makes Giants an interestingly drawn comic.
Of course the first thing I can be mentioning here is that art style. Still very much cartoonish, but with a few years between the two comics it definitely seems like this second one managed to push itself a little bit more. I really like the use of colours and the designs so far. It still has a heavy use of really interesting perspectives that give us great depth within the small panels we have per page. It utilises space really well and it's something that really allows us to roam our eyes across the page with variety in each panel. Though it's no surprise that not all panels are done this way. But when you do see them, it's so easy to appreciate. In some ways it does seem a bit more like this one has more of an anime influence to it, it's mostly notable in some of the character designs and how they've been drawn. More exaggerated facial features like noses and eyes. This was something that was already done in the first comic, but not too much. Here? It's definitely a bit stronger, and the lines seem much cleaner as to accommodate that sort of stylisation. In some panels it is reduced a little more, going back to that expected style that came from the first comic. The same vibrant but limited colours and the cartoonish look to how things like weapons or clothing are drawn. I think detail and stylisation done this way are quite effective, allowing for certain aspects of events or characters to stand out a little more when necessary, a little more emphasis so to speak. This mixture of eastern and western design is certainly something I have been enjoying though.
Its story so far has certainly been more appealing than the first, with a lot more momentum to it that has the characters navigating throughout various environments. From the outside above the surface in the city, to deep into underground tunnels to escape the chaos above. Leading to deeper snow bases out in the more rural areas. I think this quick pacing has made the action feel a bit more meaty as it pushes the characters forward and into new locations, but it also shows a level of desperation in those characters in attempt to survive. Now void of a home and purpose as they seek a new direction after the loss of their former leader, as well as home that was destroyed. I like that it isn't just about the drama of two characters anymore and shows the hardships numerous characters face, giving them their own purposes in the story beyond just faces in the background. Though so far a clear narrative hasn't been established, and I'm just hoping it goes in a different direction still. My hopes are certainly high for this one, it's starting off very strong and seems to be going the extra mile where the first didn't. I just hope that quality continues.
I still think this will be a short one like the first, something I'll get through in the evening today over a cup of tea. But I do like that it has this bite-sized feeling to it. You can sit down, get immersed and told a story, and then it leaves.