Hardears

Name: Hardears
Brand: Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd
SKU: 9781419751936
Price: 35.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

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3.28

( 99 ratings, 34 reviews)

Summary

Hardears is an Afro-Caribbean fantasy adventure graphic novel set on Jouvert Island, a magical version of Barbados. After a devastating superstorm, Mr Hardin promises to rebuild the island's economy but exploits its people by feeding his factories with their life essence. The local hero Bolo rescues his love, Zahrah, but they are framed as rebels. Facing a corrupt government controlled by Hardin, Bolo, Zahrah, and their allies must harness the strength of their island and ancestors to overthrow the sinister forces threatening their homeland.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$35⁰⁰

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Hardears

$35⁰⁰

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This graphic novel will appeal to readers interested in fantasy, superhero tales, and rich Afro-Caribbean cultural settings. It suits fans of action-packed stories with strong political themes and those who enjoy visually striking comics and immersive world-building.

Description

Barbadian folklore meets superheroes in this Afro-Caribbean fantasy adventure story—now in paperback. Hardears is an Afro-Caribbean fantasy adventure graphic novel by Matthew Clarke and Nigel Lynch.

The story takes place in an alternative world on Jouvert Island—a magical analog of the island of Barbados, and begins when a superstorm of unprecedented strength obliterates the island, leaving it totally defenseless.

As the island reels from the devastation, Mr. Hardin, the head of the Merchant Guild, charges in and promises to rebuild the economy of the island by creating jobs in his giant corporation. However, it’s soon discovered that Hardin is a parasite and is capturing people from the island and using their life essence or vibes to feed his factories.

Bolo, a local hero, saves his love Zahrah from Hardin and his cronies, but the lovers are then framed as rebels against the state. The state has been compromised by the factories, and the workers who know the truth about Hardin must go into hiding.

If Bolo, Zahrah, and their allies don’t take down Hardin and the corrupt government, all will be lost. Together, they must find the strength of their island and ancestors to fight the evil forces that have taken over their homeland.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Publishers Weekly praises the book's immersive and richly Caribbean lore, describing it as a complex and fanciful folktale with lasting impact. Booklist highlights the detailed illustrations and vibrant colours, noting the dynamic action reminiscent of superhero comics. Fans of Star Wars or The Lord of the Rings may appreciate the intricate politics and diverse races of the Hardears Islands.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781419751936

Publisher: Abrams

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 December 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Abrams

Illustration: Full-color illustrations throughout

Contributors:

Created by Matthew Clarke
Created by Nigel Lynch
Afterword by Cathy Thomas

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 165.0mm

Height: 241.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 208

Collections

Adult Graphic Novels Fiction Graphic Novels

About the Author

Matthew Clarke is a creative director, illustrator, graphic designer, comics writer, and sequential artist based in Barbados. He has worked in the advertising industry in Barbados for a decade and freelanced for various advertising agencies such as Virgo, 809, RED Advertising, G&A Communication, and RCA. Clarke has extensive experience in publication design, art direction, and brand identity. He is a primary creator and principal with the independent comics collective Beyond Publishing. Nigel Lynch is a Barbadian writer and one of the founding members of Beyond Publishing. For the past eight years, he has created numerous comics and graphic novels, including Shades of Grey: Life and Death in Paradise, and cowritten many comics in the company’s canon. Throughout the years, Lynch has garnered awards for his work, including an ADDY (American Advertising Award) and literary awards from NIFCA (National Independence Festival of Creative Arts). Cathy Thomas works on African American and Caribbean literature and is a comics scholar. Currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California at Riverside, Thomas has also studied and taught at the University of California at Santa Cruz and the University of Colorado, Boulder.