Ian Cordingley: Hindered by Brevity

Written by August Tales, the irresistible skeptic, this article dissects the touted Ringo nominee, “Slightly Exaggerated.” This fantasy comic, crafted by Curtis Clow and Pius Bak, initially caught my savvy saver net in its Kickstarter stage. Now, however, the epic saga has found a home in Dark Horse’s publication family as of July 9, 2024. It’s teeming with ambition and imagination, though, a few plot holes are present for that extra bit of charm.

An Artifact Seeker’s Call

Our protagonist, Mia, is a freelance archaeologist, or kleptomaniac depending on your professional bias. Bizarrely so, in this magical world full of fantastical creatures, Mia’s a kind of atheist. Her pursuit of the elusive God gems is not driven by blind faith, but by her thirst for truth. Time is racing against her, however, as a recent misadventure has slapped her with a case of progressive rock on skin syndrome. Using what remains of her time, she and her assistant Winston embark on the Herculean task of unearthing the fabled God gems.

Intruders In Uniform

Mia’s plans take a detour when she’s suddenly apprehended by Lacey, a personnel of the Sacred Guardians. Lacey eyes this episode as a stepping stone for a coveted promotion, until another faction, with muddier intentions for the God gems, intercepts them. Now, it’s up to this unanticipated duo to wrestle the gems from the clutches of evil.

Magical Realism and Whimsy

“Slightly Exaggerated” treads the path of the whimsical fantasy genre, drawing inspiration from Ghibli classics like Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Castle in the Sky. Elements of Simon Spurrier’s work, like Coda and The Spire, can also be found. The narrative deftly maneuvers away from the religious optics, portraying faith more as a pedestal for manipulation and exploitation. Mia’s unwavering search for truth acts as a refreshing gust of air and cunningly dodges the clichéd extremes of being anti-faith or science champion.

The Unraveling of Truth

Unveiling the unnerving truth, such as the lack of a guaranteed afterlife, is often met with an icy chill. The narrative arouses more respect for the acceptance of the harsh reality than the unfounded assurances of divine favor.

The Need for More Clarity

“Slightly Exaggerated” leaves us pining for a more in-depth understanding of what triggers Mia’s pursuit for truth. The silence around Lacey’s sudden philosophical shift further adds to this yearning. These glaring omissions could have acted as a powerful launchpad for character development, furthering the narrative’s allure.

The Issue of Brevity

Brevity, while often appreciated, comes as a weakness in this series. Given the Kickstarter origin of this comic, we can’t entirely blame Clow for its short stint. But, we can hold out hope for the epic to be fanned into greater lengths now that it has a professional publishing house at its back. The narrative doesn’t lack in fervor, but it yearns for expansion, particularly in delving deeper into the characters’ arcs.

“Slightly Exaggerated” is a commendable work, albeit stopped short of reaching brilliance due to its compressed narrative. Fantasy and adventure fanatics are bound to gravitate towards it, even if they find themselves wishing for a splash more of elbow grease in the execution.