Indie Comic Review: Anu Veniya Vol. 1

The great thing about stories is that they can take so many different forms, especially in visual mediums that can transport the audience into a different world. So many superhero comics are super dense with huge backgrounds and detailed characters that audiences can forget what it's like to read on whimsy. Anu Veniya accomplices this with a very minimalistic style that uses lettering as a tool to tell its story. The art may be simple, rough, and straightforward, but it works well, telling the story that it does to create a uniquely beautiful experience. 

The story follows the daughter of god, who acted as a rebellious singer. After god's untimely demise, she isolates herself, feeling guilty about having never rectified her relationship with her father. Living in the woods, she meets a princess who ran away from home. The two of them find solace in one another and enjoy a healthy relationship that becomes challenged when the girl’s father, the king, comes looking for her. Conflict ensues, and the daughter of god has to figure out if she wants what's best for her or what's best for the princess. 

The story comes to a satisfying conclusion, but it still feels like there's more adventure to be told. The cliffhanger doesn't take away from the overall experience. This type of tale definitely caters to a certain kind of reader. Fans familiar with superhero stories might be turned off by the art style, but for those willing to get lost in a fantastical world with a deep message of love, grief, and family, there's definitely beauty in the artwork and the journey it takes you on.