Book Review: “La Entrada: Season One – Episode One” by Andrew D. Daily & Alex Vede

La Entrada: Season One – Episode One by Andrew D. Daily (Author), Alex Vede (Illustrator) (2022)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fiction, Sci-Fi

Page Length: 128 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis: A child disappears when an other-worldly portal forms outside of Mexico City. To find him, his mother must partner with a renegade professor and face the politicians that stand in their way. The mysteries of La Entrada will shake their existence and alter the comforts of civilization.

This experimental graphic novel emulates television through black and white storyboard artwork. From the intense mind of Andrew D. Daily and brilliant digital illustrator Alex Vede, we are introduced to the beginning of a power clash not seen since the conquistador invasion of 1519.

Review:

La Entrada is the first installment is the first graphic novel of a new sci-fi series that explores a possible realm that exists outside of our world. Told in a storyboard format the novel follows multiple point-of-views as a child, Manu, disappears through an other-worldly portal. Set in Mexico City, readers get to view the story through the lens of Manu’s mother, politicians, a discredited scientist, and more. These multiple perspectives combined with the fast-paced plot make for an action-packed narrative that instantly pulls readers in.

I enjoyed navigating through La Entrada and I thought the first installment does a solid job of incorporating all of the main players (characters) within the story and setting up the world. There is a constant aura of suspense in the story and I appreciated that Daily makes the readers piece together the mysteries through the fragmented perspectives. There were many moments of high action, quiet reflection, a sense of urgency, and conflict. All of these elements combined pulled out the true nature of the characters and how they function under great pressure.

I thought the storyboard artwork style was very unique to this story and compared to other graphic novels I’ve read in the past. It’s somewhat of a grainy/gritty art style that still pays great attention to detail. The storyboard art effect gave the overall narrative that episode TV narrative style the novel is going for.

I would recommend this graphic novel to fans of the sci-fi genre or those that enjoy a good adventure story.

Final Verdict: