Archipelago: By Hannah DeVera

The best part about a good fantasy story is very often the world. The best setting can be so unique and vibrant that you wish you could fall through the pages and into the world itself. But such uniquely memorable creations can be a bit rare, even in the wonderfully vibrant webcomic community. Even the most memorable of comics often rely on familiar tropes and concepts, spicing them up with a unique twist or vision but all the same treading familiar paths. But, there are a few comics out there that manage to truly break the mold, and Archipelago, by Hannah DeVera (also known as TheSilverTopHat), is in my opinion the best of the bunch. Its vibrant and unpredictable world, with its a blend of fantasy, subtle sci-fi, and wonderfully varied cast makes for one of the best fantasy comics on the web.

The Good

Set in the titular Archipelago, the comic tells the tale of Credenza, a waitress on a small rural island, who, through a series of unexpected encounters, finds herself pulled into a battle to save her world from an ancient evil. Caught in a race against time with a sadistic, undead pirate and his crew, she and her companions set off in search of the Heirs, a group of people with the power to seal away the dark spirit known as Raven or set him loose onto the world once again.

While the summary may seem about as average as such stories get, the actual tale itself is a thrilling mix of adventure, comedy, and heart. The Archipelago is a stunning setting of strange islands, submarines, and ancient secrets. No two islands are the same: from the quaint and quiet Ruin Island where the story begins, to the majestic and flamboyant city of Quillotia, each location has its own feel. The same goes for the inhabitants of Archipelago. Archipelago can probably boost the most varied setting in terms of inhabitants, with humans and humanoids being only the tip of the iceberg. Shapeshifters, including weresharks and wereorcas, are common while therapod-like Seranith are just one example of the non-humanoid races. Many of the strange and wonderful beings that appear in the comic don’t even get names, their ubiquity highlighting just how vibrant and fantastical the world is. The end result is a visual treat and a fascinating world.

As for the actual cast itself, much of the same can be said. From Credenza, a seemingly ordinary human girl who quickly begins to show some unusual talents of her own, to the Luck brothers, a pair of half-weresharks as different yet similar as only siblings can be, there’s a whole lot of variation. All members of the ever-growing cast of major characters is distinct, likable, and has their own part to play in the tale. The sheer size of the main cast would normally be a burden on the plot, but by slowly adding a new member or two to the party each chapter, DeVera is able to keep the cast from feeling bloated. Characters get their chance to shine as they arrive and are never relegated to the background even when the focus shifts away. Nor is it just the heroes of the tale that are incredibly well written; the villains of Archipelago deserve their own special mention. Captain Snow is a wonderfully charismatic villain, easy to both adore and despise, and his own crew of companions are often just as fascinating as the main characters.

Finally, the plot of Archipelago is an excellent one, full of heart and emotion. While the central quest for the Heirs drives the plot along, it is the personal desires and goals of the cast that make the story so entrancing. While not everyone gets massive character arcs, everyone has their own personal quest and watching the cast grow into the best they can be is heartwarming. It’s hard to describe just how well written the comic is without getting into spoilers, but at the end of the day, I have to say that Archipelago has one of my favorite stories of all time.

The Bad

Archipelago is a classic in my opinion, but it is not without a few rough edges. The biggest issue is the art. Like many long running webcomics, it is easy to see that this was a learning experience for its creator, and one that started out pretty bare bones. The initial art is passable but only just and it takes a few books for DeVera to hit her stride. The slow progression towards excellent is probably the comic’s biggest flaw and the element most likely to turn away new readers. Well before the end, however, DeVera’s drawing skills reach professional levels and from that point on, I have absolutely no complaints about the art.

The second issue is finding the comic. The actual Archipelago website doesn’t have the full archive. Most of the comic is there, but near the end of the comic’s run, the author moved over to Smack Jeeves which is, incidentally, now deader than a kipper in a can. This move was due to technical difficulties and while the original website is still up presumably for that same reason DeVera never bothered posting the rest of the comic there even after Smack Jeeves went under. The whole comic can be found on the author’s Deviant Art page along with the ongoing sequel, City of Somnus (which I’ll probably be reviewing somewhere down the line), but it’s not a great set-up for reading. It’s not strictly terrible, but it just lacks a few of the minor conveniences you’d except from a dedicated website. All in all it’s a mostly minor gripe, but it is something to keep in mind if you go looking for the comic.

Conclusion

This is one of the comics that first drew me into the world of webcomics, and it has endured as one of my top ten favorites ever since. While the comic could probably use a redraw for the first third or so, that’s no excuse to miss the great characters and the wonderful world DeVera has created. A solid four and half stars out of five for a classic of my high school years that I still love to this day.