The gorgeous and engaging Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds – written and illustrated by Camilo Moncada Lozano with coloring from Angel DeSantiago – is the first of IDW Publishing’s new slate of “Young Adult and Middle Grade Original” graphic novels, and it is certainly an impressive first foray into original YA content for the publisher. Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds is only Book One in the expansive series, an adaptation of a short animated film Moncada made in 2017 titled “Donaji & the Magical Poncho” that continued into the fan-favorite webcomic Codex Black on Tapas, which first debuted in 2018 and continues to be updated weekly.
Written for an intended audience of 13 – 17 year olds, Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds was an absolute blast for this writer (who just so happens to be 30), and I have no doubt that middle grade and young adult readers will love this exciting tale set in late 15th-Century Mesoamerica, which follows main characters Donaji and Itzcacalotl on a dangerous, exciting, and emotionally impactful bildungsroman adventure.
While Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds is a true joy to read because of its endearing protagonists, thrilling adventures, and fascinating mythology, the real highlight of the graphic novel is that Camilo Moncada Lozano – a Mexican writer, illustrator, and animator from Mexico City – has meticulously researched Mesoamerican history, culture, and myth to provide an accurate foundation for the world in which Codex Black takes place.
The printed Codex Black includes over 60 pages of new content as well as full-color art, including a “back matter” section that helps to provide historical context for the politics, beliefs, myths, locations, and history referenced in the novel, including a pronunciation guide to help readers learn how to properly say the 15th-Century Mesoamerican words used throughout. By the end of Codex Black not only did I feel compelled to continue reading the adventures of Donaji and Itzcacalotl, but I felt like I had learned truly invaluable information on Mesoamerican culture, history, and mythology, something I knew little to nothing about beforehand. Take a sneak peek below at a preview for Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds, which debuts in stores April 5th, 2023:
The opening pages of Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds sets up the tone and epic nature of the graphic novel perfectly, making sure the reader knows that regardless of the gorgeously bright color from colorist DeSantiago and adorable illustrations, the story is steeped in danger, death, and dark mythology. The reader is quickly introduced to the 17-year old Mexica warrior Itzcacalotl, or “Obsidian Crow,” who gains impressive crow wings and the power of flight after a supernatural encounter, as well as the fierce and brave Donaji or “Great Soul,” a 15-year old Zapotec girl, hailed as the hero of her village Quie Yelaag, who travels with the god Chicahualizteotl who lives inside of her poncho.
The two adventurers swiftly run into each other, tentatively agreeing to travel through the jungle together as Donaji begins her quest to find her missing father, before becoming fast friends and an impressive fighting duo, facing off against monsters and beings of myth as they quickly realize their quest is much more complex and dangerous than they thought. Again, while the story of Donaji and Itzcacalotl is beautiful, emotional, and surprisingly complex, the true highlight of Codex Black is learning about the researched mythology, culture, and politics of the Mesoamerican region at the time, which help to create a rich environment of strong world-building, believable issues, and an enthralling adventure.
Reading Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds was such a joy for me, each chapter deepening the lore and nuance of the fascinating world Donaji and Itzcacalotl adventure within. While this graphic novel may be billed as a YA, it was incredibly engaging for this adult, with the dynamic – often brutal – battles faced by the two supernatural leads, the emotional depth of many of its plots, and its satisfyingly dark antagonists providing a consistently enthralling story. Anyone who is a fan of the supernatural, young heroes growing into themselves, dynamic fight scenes, or mythology will surely love Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds, and the educational aspects of the graphic novel would make this an absolutely perfect addition to any teacher’s collection or school library.
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