đŸ Brutal Nature (2016) – Comic Overview
đ Genre
Fantasy, Supernatural, Historical Fiction, Action-Adventure
đ§♂️ Main Characters
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Ich – A young indigenous warrior who can transform into various supernatural beasts using enchanted masks. Ich is both fierce and deeply introspective, representing the soul and strength of his people.
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Don Franco – A ruthless Spanish officer and colonizer, determined to conquer Colombia at any cost. He stands as the ideological and military antithesis to Ich.
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Xik – A spiritual guide and elder, often cryptically advising Ich on the deeper purpose of his powers and destiny.
✍️ Writer
Luciano Saracino – An Argentine comic writer known for blending folklore, myth, and political themes into captivating narratives. His storytelling in Brutal Nature is poetic, layered, and emotionally resonant.
đš Artist
Ariel Olivetti – Famous for his bold, painterly style, Olivetti delivers visually arresting panels that mix raw violence with haunting mysticism. His previous work includes Venom: Space Knight and Cable.
đ ️ Editor Details
Chris Ryall – Serving as Editor-in-Chief at the time, Ryall ensured Brutal Nature delivered a balanced mix of brutal action, emotional depth, and cultural commentary.
đą Publisher and Brand
IDW Publishing – Known for its commitment to creator-owned stories and experimental formats, IDW presents Brutal Nature as a standalone original graphic novel outside of traditional superhero universes.
đ Release Year
2016
đ Brief Plot Summary
Set against the backdrop of 16th-century Colombia, Brutal Nature tells the story of Ich, a young indigenous man bestowed with sacred masks that grant him the ability to transform into powerful creatures. As the Spanish Empire invades and enslaves his people, Ich must tap into the full range of his mystical abilities—not just to fight soldiers, but to awaken the spiritual strength of his culture. The narrative unfolds with intense battles, inner conflict, and the ever-present question: is violence the only way to preserve one's identity?
đ Notable Arcs or Storylines
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"The Awakening of the Beast" – Ich discovers the origin of the masks and undergoes his first transformation, confronting his fear of becoming more monster than man.
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"The Blood Forest" – A key turning point where Ich must rally his people in a guerrilla war against the Spanish, testing both his physical power and his ability to lead.
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"Echoes of the Ancestors" – Through a spiritual journey guided by Xik, Ich learns that the true power of the masks lies not just in violence, but in memory and ancestral connection.
đ Fan Theories or Interpretations
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The Masks as Metaphor – Many fans view the masks as symbols of indigenous resilience, each transformation representing a different cultural trait or spirit that colonization seeks to erase.
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Ich’s Duality – Some interpretations suggest Ich is not a single person but a collective spirit, embodying the many who fought and died resisting conquest.
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The Beast Within – A psychological reading positions the beasts as fragments of Ich’s psyche—anger, fear, courage, wisdom—externalized through the mask magic.
đ Review Summary
Brutal Nature is a powerful, visually intense graphic novel that mixes ancient magic with raw historical commentary. Olivetti’s painted artwork is both beautiful and grotesque, matching the story’s tone perfectly. The storytelling by Saracino balances visceral action with philosophical depth, asking readers to question the cost of identity, war, and legacy. While some moments lean heavily into allegory, the emotional core remains grounded in Ich’s personal journey. Fans of myth-based storytelling and non-Western protagonists will find Brutal Nature a deeply rewarding read.
⭐ Rating: 8.5/10
đ„ Highlights: Art direction, symbolic storytelling, cultural richness
đ§ Themes: Colonization, identity, transformation, ancestral memory
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
