Hiranyagarbha Volume 1

Convention season has arrived! I'm at the Arisia convention all weekend, and I will be reviewing comics from there. We got stuck in traffic heading up to Boston to set up, and I didn't have much time to look around the dealers room. Fortunately, I found Rhiannon McCullough and  Hiranyagarbha.

Title: Hiranyagarbha
Issue: Volume 1: The World
Pubisher: McCullough Effect
Date: 2013
Writer: Peter McCullough, Rhiannon McCullough
Artist: Peter McCullough, Rhiannon McCullough

The title is taken from the Hindu concept of the sacred golden egg of the world, although the story here is Victorian-era steampunk set in a mysterious kingdom that is not entirely what it appears.

Upperclass teenager Paige is on her way to the King's seasonal ball when her carriage becomes the target for some of the local hooligans, who later return to play a prank on the revelers at the ball. A moment's encounter between Paige and one of the young anarchists plants the first seeds in Paige's mind of, well, exactly what remains to be seen, but it seems unlikely to be the last meeting between the two.

Much of this issue serves the purpose of establishing setting and introducing characters, which is accomplished nicely through details in the art and overheard bits of conversation. We don't get to know any of the characters in much depth, but they all seem to have plenty of potential.

The setting is also introduced through the full-color art, which is wonderfully detailed, particularly on the costumes of the various characters. This book has the detail work that you need for an effective steampunk story.

I'm looking forward to seeing that story continue.

Rating: 8/10