Review: El Fuego

Author: David Rubin
Artist: David Rubin
Publisher: Oni Press
Released: February 25, 2025
Find it on Goodreads | More Graphic Novels

Summary:

Alexander Yorba is an architect, making him the rockstar of his time. Why? There’s a deadly asteroid heading towards Earth, and the design of the moon base is now critical. Granted, this moon base will only accept the wealthiest people on Earth.

As one of the designers, Yorba can guarantee his family will make it into this base. If he can maintain his focus…The latest news regarding his health ruins all that focus, tearing apart his family and putting the fate of everything he loves in danger.

Review:

Oh boy. El Fuego was intense. I have many feelings about them, and I’m unsure how to describe them! So I guess that’s something – if you’re looking for a graphic novel that will make you feel, this one is worth checking out.

The story starts with the world on the bridge of destruction. So yeah, heavy intro. We then get to learn about the main character, Alexander. You’re not supposed to like Alexander, and David Rubin did an excellent job of ensuring that.

The story that unfolds from here is…a lot. It’s introspective, dark, punishing at times, and sometimes poignant. I’m unsure how to feel about the ending, and I almost wonder if that’s the point.

The artwork is raw and gritty. In other words, it’s freaking perfect for this raw and gritty story. It is vibrant yet very dark, capturing the character’s downfall and the reality of the world around him. I can’t praise the art enough.

Highlights:

• Dystopian Tale
• Race to Save the World
• Transformations

Trigger Warnings:

• Cancer
• Infidelity

Thanks to Oni Press and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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