Published by RAID Studio in 2017, RAID: ONE is the first in what would become a three-volume anthology showcasing artists connected to the Royal Academy of Illustration & Design. The oversized format and heavier paper stock immediately make the collection feel more like an art book than a standard comic anthology, giving many of the splash pages a “frame-worthy” quality.
The anthology features stories and artwork from an impressive lineup of emerging and established Canadian comic talent, including Francis Manapul, Ramon K Perez, Marcus To, Tonci Zonjic, Nimit Malavia, and many others. As with most anthologies, the quality and style vary from story to story, but that diversity is also part of the appeal. Different readers will inevitably gravitate toward different artistic approaches and storytelling tones.
One standout piece is “Peaceful” by Marcus and Anthony Falcone, where the writing and art feel especially well matched. Joe Vriens’ “Battle Berzerker Balto” delivers energetic visuals heavily inspired by Dale Keown’s work on Pitt. At the same time, Eric Vedder’s “Aardehn: The Red Call” uses stark black-and-white artwork with selective red highlights to striking effect.
A recurring strength of RAID: ONE is that it feels like a sampler platter of future projects and creators. Many of the stories read more like previews or proofs-of-concept than complete narratives, leaving the reader wanting to see more from these worlds and characters. Rather than being a weakness, that unfinished quality reinforces the anthology’s purpose as a showcase for developing talent.
Overall, RAID: ONE is highly recommended for readers interested in discovering up-and-coming Canadian comic creators and experiencing a wide range of visual storytelling styles in one beautifully produced volume.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
RAID: ONE
The anthology features stories and artwork from an impressive lineup of emerging and established Canadian comic talent, including Francis Manapul, Ramon K Perez, Marcus To, Tonci Zonjic, Nimit Malavia, and many others. As with most anthologies, the quality and style vary from story to story, but that diversity is also part of the appeal. Different readers will inevitably gravitate toward different artistic approaches and storytelling tones.
One standout piece is “Peaceful” by Marcus and Anthony Falcone, where the writing and art feel especially well matched. Joe Vriens’ “Battle Berzerker Balto” delivers energetic visuals heavily inspired by Dale Keown’s work on Pitt. At the same time, Eric Vedder’s “Aardehn: The Red Call” uses stark black-and-white artwork with selective red highlights to striking effect.
A recurring strength of RAID: ONE is that it feels like a sampler platter of future projects and creators. Many of the stories read more like previews or proofs-of-concept than complete narratives, leaving the reader wanting to see more from these worlds and characters. Rather than being a weakness, that unfinished quality reinforces the anthology’s purpose as a showcase for developing talent.
Overall, RAID: ONE is highly recommended for readers interested in discovering up-and-coming Canadian comic creators and experiencing a wide range of visual storytelling styles in one beautifully produced volume.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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