Welcome to the planet Vida, an euphoric haven of resources. The sentient race inhabiting Vida depend of the strict leadership of their rulers for guidance. Four young geniuses are tasked with discovering and instituting an ideal method of leadership to make this the utopian society that the inhabitants wish to create. A simple experiment becomes an epic story of war, discovery, good old-fashioned bragging rights and the answers to the question of what makes a leader? Do we need leaders? And if we didn’t, what would happen to a world without them?

I first got to read Monarchs months ago and rereading it again now that it’s released, it’s still as good as I remember. The concept is a fun one with a mix of philosophy and video games to create a comic that I can’t think of having read before. Monarchs #1 is unique and stands above a lot of comics due to that.

The concept is unique. Four individuals are sent to a planet to test what an ideal society is like. Writer A.C. Medina, who co-created the series with artist Fernando Pinto, has put together a first issue that feels like a video game in many aspects. It feels like four games setting up for an online battle, building their base and getting supplies to keep their forces running and of course the eventual clash between them. You can see the influences of Starcraft and World of Warcraft and so many RTS’ before them. It also shows you can easily do a comic about esports interesting enough. But Medina adds more than that giving each character their own personality, with stats, that also delivers a bit of roleplaying to it all.

Pinto’s art, joined by Triona Farrell and letterer Micah Myers, helps things with each character and their society being unique in both look but also colors. Much like those video games, we get a who’s who by what color they are. The video game aspect of it all comes through in a great way. Add in an art style that mixes the sci-fi aspects with cartoony details and it feels like something Blizzard might put together.

The comic is a fun one with a style and concept all to its own. I want to see where it all goes and how much of this idea of building a society is explored. Mixed together with the style that takes so much from video games, it’s a comic that stands out with a “voice” that’s unique and entertaining. Definitely one to check out for so many reasons.

Story: A.C. Medina Art: Fernando Pinto
Color: Triona Farrell Letterer: Micah Myers
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Scout Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review