'Ralph Azham', the fun odyssey of an insolent antihero in a world of heroic fantasy

There are antiheroes, and then there's Ralph Azham, who's a step below. Ralph Azham is undisciplined and insolent. Once upon a time, he was thought to be the "Chosen One," but now he's considered an outcast and sent to the pigsty. It's hard to sink any lower. And that's despite the fact that Ralph Azham has a gift: he can see a person's children and even know if a woman is pregnant. In fact, we'll meet many characters with powers in this comic, each one more absurd than the last.

Ralph Azham (Yermo Editorial), translated by Fernando Ballesteros, is the first volume of a diptych written and drawn by Lewis Trondheim , creator of the character Lapinot and the saga The Dungeon, launched with his friend Joann Sfar . In some way, the universe of Ralph Azham connects with that of The Dungeon, since we are faced with a fantasy adventure crossed by the supernatural and starring anthropomorphic creatures, as is norm in the author.

Evidently, Trondheim plays to the fullest extent of the genre's repertoire. There's no shortage of imaginary towns and landscapes, magic and wizards, mythical creatures, and epic adventures. The village where Ralph Azham lives is threatened by invaders, and the foolish Ralph decides to leave and fight. Thus begins an adventure rich in fantasy, humor, and even a touch of philosophical reflection that will become more palpable—and more pessimistic—as the story draws to a close in the next installment.

It's clear that Trondheim is well-versed in the codes of heroic fantasy and enjoys the freedom afforded by this universe where rules don't exist. This allows him to explore what he does best as a screenwriter: introducing new characters as the story progresses, constantly changing settings, and surprising the reader with unexpected plot twists.

At times, this accumulation of surprises that makes the story so enjoyable can make us think the author doesn't know where it's going, but in reality, Trondheim controls the plot at all times. That's why Ralph Azham 's reading improves when we can enjoy many pages in one sitting, as in this volume. This gives us a better understanding of the characters' behavior, their reactions, and the value of small details that seem anecdotal but later turn out to be crucial.

Another advantage is that this is a comic with a beginning and an end. Trondheim opens narrative threads, but we know he'll eventually wrap them up, something that doesn't happen in open-ended series, those that have no end. In Ralph Azham , the protagonist himself undergoes a remarkable evolution; at first, he's an immature young man and then, without abandoning his sarcastic tone, he becomes an adult aware of his responsibilities. He's accompanied by supporting characters like Zania and Yassou, who contribute to enriching the plot.

Graphically, Trondheim displays an excellent level of skill. His gentle, soft-edged drawing can be confusing and make something seem simple when it isn't. It's a pleasure to enjoy vignettes full of detail in the landscapes, both natural and urban: the houses, the rooftops, the accessories. It's clear that drawing these details is part of the pleasure of creating these comics, for Trondheim.

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Added to this is Brigitte Findakly's color work, with a richness of tone and lighting that contrasts with her husband's graphic economy. Furthermore, Findakly adds subtle textures that contribute to the overall finish. Perhaps the only regret is that in some copies of the Spanish edition, the color is slightly off-color on some pages.

Don't be fooled by the endearing, animal-like characters Lewis Trondheim draws in Ralph Azham . This is a more cynical and dark story than it seems. But above all, it's a great adventure, ideal for young people and adults who enjoy heroic fantasy.