Subscribe to get a recap of the days posts & never miss the latest breaking news or exclusive content.
Writer / Artist: Kendra Wells
Publisher: Iron Circus Comics
Released: February 01, 2022
You might think you’ve heard this before, a rogue, warrior, cleric, and mage set out on an adventure. But Real Hero Shit’s cast of characters twists those fantasy trope expectations on their head to create a layered, emotional, and relatable cast. The struggles, histories, and personalities of each of the four main cast result in identifiable characters. Characters that I came to care about during this debut title.
Introducing the Adventure
Kendra Wells’ Real Hero Shit launched as a Kickstarter project back in October of 2021 and raised over $83,000. Wells, an illustrator and artist, wrote and illustrated this graphic novel. The story starts with a stereotypical spoiled prince, Eugene. He is more concerned with his next sexual escapade than with the population of his kingdom. However, Eugene realizes that he is a joke in the kingdom and is determined to find independence. Enter a struggling group of adventurers. Anjelica a mage of her own making. Hocus a mage of a religious order. And Michel an elf rogue with a mysterious past.
The dialog and characterizations set Real Hero Shit apart from traditional fantasy writing. Wells’ explores numerous identity issues including gender and sexuality. Fortunately, the characters have depth and nuance which creates a cast that comes alive on the page. This is not inclusion for the sake of a diversity checkbox. Wells develops each character with a history and backstory that allow the reader to identify with them and care about them. Prince Eugene has the most growth in this first book. Anjelica, the self-taught mage, bristles at Eugene’s arrogance, but begins to see some of the same depth that the reader does. Wells introduces Michel’s difficult past and leaves threads to explore in future titles.
Bending & Breaking Expectations
Hocus is a complex character, not just in es gender identity, but also through the devotion and conflict connected to es religious order. This order and the corruption of it provide the central conflict for the second half of the book. Wells introduces the mystery that hopefully will be a running thread through future titles. However, even a foiled plot does not resolve the larger plot. While the adventurers are heroes, the explanation about why this conflict was happening remains a mystery.
Real Hero Shit occasionally uses some anime-inspired over-the-top visual jokes and reactions. Initially, these seem out of place within the fantasy setting. Fortunately, Wells blends genres and expectations together to create a unique experience. Just as Wells’ characters are not bound by any one definition, the narrative blends and bends norms to create a satisfying experience that will leave readers eager for the next adventure.
Real Hero Recommendation
Kendra Wells creates thoroughly complex characters and a rich world ready for future stories. Hopefully, Real Hero Shit is just the start of this adventure. Wells’ ability to create exciting action, humorous moments, and endearing characters result in a story that is highly recommended. An inclusive recommendation for teen and adult readers for a book that uses a medieval fantasy setting to speak to a modern audience.
Score: 9.0
Real Hero Shit Review
Overall
-
Plot - 9/10
9/10
-
Art - 8.5/10
8.5/10
-
Enjoyment - 9.5/10
9.5/10
Summary
Adventure awaits! But our heroes are missing some manpower.
People are going missing in a small mountain town. The city guard are blocked from a real investigation. The notorious Underguild has assigned Michel a secret mission: find the missing villagers and bring whatever kidnapped them to justice. Unfortunately for Michel (and his fellow adventurers, Ani and Hocus), they’re short a fighter and need one more party member to foil this plot. Even more unfortunately, the only volunteer seems to be the arrogant, ostentatious, purple playboy Prince Eugene looking to cure his boredom. Covert is not a concept that he’s familiar with, and let’s just say his commitment to the mission is questionable.
Every day is basically spring break for Eugene, but outside the palace walls he crashes into a hard reality: the system that kept him safe in his silk-sheeted bed isn’t particularly concerned with the well-being of anyone who isn’t him. Eugene will have to level-up his awareness if he means to be a real hero, and time is running short!