Aloma, the incredible restorer, journalist and detective, continues in the Pope’s head with his investigations in this second volume of the trilogy conceived by Alfonso Font published by Cartem Comics
The original publication of this work of Aloma, The head of popewas made by Artistic characteristics In 2022, now published by Cartem Comics In Spanish, continuing the series started with The Treasury of the Terariowhere the reader was able to meet Aloma, his uncle Cyrus and al detective.
As in the first volume of trilogy, white and black does not exist in this work, but it is a History with countless gray shadesComplex and threaded like reality, in which any false step can be a stupid hard and where the vouchers are not so much, as well as the wicked ones.
The plot
The theft of works of art is a crime as old as humanity, so during war conflicts, criminals enjoy greater opportunities to commit them, as I would say Felson “The opportunity is the thief.” THE War in Iraq in 2003 And struggles in countries like Syria or LibyaHe allowed the criminals of works of art to go to these places to illegally obtain museum works to sell them to the best bidder.
With a start of the plot in that period convulsive in Iraq, the action transports the reader to the shipment of Aloma’s uncle, who receives a prominent lawyer with a commission from Identify an object for an anonymous and rich customer. The object is obvious by Aloma and its team that comes from the illegal market, but the mystery that is hiding makes them accept the treatment.
“A thousand -year -old Jeglific, an anonymous owner … a little mysterious everything, right?
By obtaining the first clues, Aloma will discover that only the lawyer’s lawyer is not interested, but that other people become the shadow of the protagonists, but they do not know what purpose, nor those who direct them. From here begins A match against the clock who will bring our protagonists to follow the track in Barcelona and its surroundings.
The art of the Alfonso character
Talk about Alfonso font He is doing one of the Referents in the world of Ninth ArtSo in this second volume of the Aloma trilogy the great work started with the first copy continues, so the reader can verify how the author did a Excellent documentation work To show the plot.
The fact that some facts seem fictitious – or are – does not mean that they do not have a real contrasted background, therefore the story told about the Pope and some of his inventions have a Real historical backgroundof the same fact of the looting of National Iraq Museum In 2003 or the great networks of artistic crime that also served years later to finance the It does so.
The plot is consistent with the approach displayed by the author and knows how to perform it without shock, with some doses of restlessness when Aloma follows the trace of the possible anonymous customer, but maintaining a realistic model that does not remove the reader from a daily history of crime. The fact that it is in Barcelona, perhaps more likely to the Spanish reader of the action that takes place in the work.
The characters, as in the first volume, are the protagonists or are the antagonists, they are not very deep, so the reader must fill the gaps that show the bottom of these. This lack of depth does not affect the development of the narrative, but if it has an advantage that would make the plot much more overwhelming.
THE Agility fonts with the script It allows the reader not to lose any detail and advance the pages with greed, reinforced with cartoons that alternate the current sequences with historical facts. In addition, when the plot focuses on the action cartoons, these are resolved with mastery, without superhero display that have not placed in this plot.
Him The drawing is necessary and detailedBoth with the characters and with the scenarios and the change of structure of the cartoons in the different pages allow a better graphic definition of the script and a better sequel. The characters are dynamicly designed, so there are no hieratic poses that prevent understanding of the cartoon or do not make sense with it.
Moreover, The background is an important part as the charactersWith a realistic tone that converges with the characters, without dissonances that can distract it, but adds to history as an essential part more. In addition, the author knows how to play with corners in the cartoons to strengthen reflection or action as requested by the plot.
Him color that the Alfonso character applies to work is classicPerhaps a little dark in some scenes, but highlighting the protagonist’s hair. In case of Night scenesThis dark color makes it more important because here it highlights the bright colors like the rear lights of a vehicle or the light of a house seen from the outside.
In short, Aloma, the Pope’s head is an interesting proposal that can be read independently of the reckless treasure. The investigative activity of the protagonist immerses the reader in an interesting plot, in which crime, history and art are a synergy and the mystery must be resolved with all these factors.
Edition
Aloma 2. The Pope’s head From Alfonso font was published by Cartem Comics In his classic collection, such as the story of Granada by Paco Roca, tied hard coveragewith measures of 22’5 × 29’7 cmA color with an extension of 56 pages. As Extra, this volume presents an interview by the author conducted by Tristán Carmona.
Aloma 2. The Pope’s head
Second delivery of Aloma: more mature, more direct and with an even more fascinating tone, shows that the adventure does not need manual heroes. You just need someone who is not afraid to look at the lie.
An uncomfortable hero in a world of men
Aloma does not adapt to molds. He is not pleased, he does not try to please and does not expect permission to act. His trade – journalism – acts as excuse to arrive where they don’t call it, but his motivation goes well beyond a good exclusive. In a world designed so that women are zeroing or having unnoticed, uncomfortable aloma, disassembling, strengthening the structures. This time, her instinctor to discover a truth buried for centuries, supervised by those who manage the wires from the shadows.
In this second episode, more mature, more direct and with an even more acute tone, Aloma shows that the adventure does not need manual heroes. You just need someone who is not afraid to look at the lie.
Beyond the religious thriller
The Pope’s head begins as a Vatican mystery … and ends in something much wider. The research that Aoma begins to start the seams in a sacred institution, yes, but what is really put in play is the control of truth, the power of history, the manipulation of history.
The comedian plays with the classic elements of the thriller – ancient apartments, persecutions, secret archives – to talk about current issues such as censorship, double standard or political use of spirituality. And he does it without large or dogmas, with the ease of those who are clear that the important thing is not decorated, but the people who live in it.
An adventure with your voice
There is no place for topics or for narrative shortcuts. The pace is fast, but never superficial. Every scene, every cartoon, intends. The Alfonso character shows here a story that flows naturally, alternating irony, criticism and action with an impeccable narrative impulse.
Aloma is not only the protagonist: it is the aspect that questioned everything that happens. And thanks to her, this story becomes more than a simple adventure. It is an embarrassing and revealing journey, which pushes us to ask us questions about each page. Because, as he has already shown in the first volume, Aloma is not here to give easy answers.
A careful edition, as it should be
Originally published in France, the Secret du Pape had never seen the light in Spanish in a whole way … so far. We present to this edition the respect and attention that such work deserves: large format impression and an editorial design designed to evaluate both the script and the design.
For readers who seek more than evasion. For those who want to think, laugh and surprise the same page.
