I started Midas by Ryan North after finishing Pandora’s Legacy by Kara Leopard (review a few reviews before this). I was not paying attention to the Greek Myth theme that both graphic novels had (though to be honest, I should have as the titles are a large clue). Once I realized this, I thought maybe they would be good companion novels.
They are not.
Where as Pandora’s Legacy could go as young as 10-13 and adult, I would start with at least 13 and more likely 14 and up for Midas. Mostly I would say that because there is violence and mention of interspecies dating (Fatima and a school mate who is a slug(really) dated) occurs. Granted it is not “gory” (and the dating aspect is a nice nod to being open about yourself) but the level/what was shown was not something I expected by the basically comical cover. There are a few awkward moments in the story-line that makes it hard to follow at times. Part of this is the bouncing between the two main plot points and flashbacks that are not announced. And sometimes people “talk over” another panel that is not part of their direct story. There is also a fair amount of scientific information and spiritualism that might also be confusing. It truly had potential, but I am not sure if made it. This could be since this volume only covers books One to Eight of The Midas Flesh series (Volume two is also out)
The story is set in the far future with flashbacks to the time of King Midas. There is a retelling of how Midas is given his golden touch. Not only did Midas’ touch turn everything he touched to gold, but anything touching something he was in contact with would turn to gold as well. Also, anything that touched him would be turned as well, which is an important plot point later. An entire planet has become solid gold because of this. When our three heroes (which might be a loose term) find evidence of this planet that has been a long-kept secret by the Federation (a really not nice of group of people), they see an opportunity to get gold and stop the Federation’s destruction of their planets and the other planets in the universe. But things, of course, do not go as planned. And Midas’ Flesh (as they literally cut off a finger from Midas’ perfectly preserved, but frozen body) is not the only thing Captain Joey and her friends Fatima (their navigator) and Cooper (who by the way is an eye-glasses wearing, science loving dinosaur) must deal with. The Federation wants to keep this planet secret at any cost. But there are others, even in the Federation, like our trio, that would use the body for their own personal gain.
Shelli Paroline and Braden Lame create some interesting art that shows the story well. However, sometimes the panels are too crowded, they are created in a traditional graphic novel order (not always a direct left to right read) and the colors are minimal making things blend together. This is not a book I would recommend for your first time reading a graphic novel. However, if you have dipped your toe in a bit and are looking for something the follows most of the points of a traditional science-fiction graphic novel, but puts its own spin on it, I think this might be the one you are looking for.