2,75⭐️

Thanks to Oni Press and NetGalley for the e-arc ✨

The cover is the main reason I requested this e-arc, and apart from a few choices I didn’t enjoy (such as the use of snot to convey fear), it was the highlight of this graphic novel!! I loved the art style throughout my read with its vibrant colors, fun backgrounds, and dynamic layout. It’s a classic alien invasion story, so the plot and stakes are predictable, but it’s still engaging, has sweet moments, and is a breeze to get through. Maya’s arc is interesting, and I enjoyed the themes of moving to a big city to fulfill one's dreams and dealing with burnout and parental expectations, even if I wish they were explored more deeply. I also loved the slice-of-life portions of being a comic artist and seeing her work. Soma was a sweet character and brought more heart to the story.

It was a little too fast for me to connect with the side characters’ storylines because there’s a lot going on, and the humour didn’t always land.

Overall, it’s a fast-paced comic that could serve as a palate cleanser between heavier reads, but I won't remember it for a long time. It could work great for a quick read with a beautiful drawing style.

The art for this is amazing and by that I mean style and coloring. I also loved the characters and how cute they looked (I want dark voids for eyes too!), but that's as far as my love for this comic goes. The story fell flat for me. The only time we had any real emotions (imo) was when the MC was talking about how the creative process could be draining (mood) and when we had the tragic backstory/flashback. The fourth wall being broken was funny at first, but with it happening over and over, it just felt jarring instead.

I think this book would work better for someone who likes fast paced books and not necessarily a developed story.

My thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for an eARC of this book to read and review.

Not sure if it is a cultural thing, but in the manga/manhwa I tend to read, when a character is stressed, they get a "sweat bubble/mark" on/by their face/head. In the world of this graphic novel, the character gets snot dripping out of their nose, which I found gross and kicked me out of the story each time it came up.

It also had the obligatory ecological screed, which I am starting to tire of seeing in the books I read to escape reality. I know we humans only seem to be able to kill everything around us, can I get back to the invading aliens and trying to kill them before they kill us please?

The artwork didn't blow me away and I liked the side stories enough to want to follow them more than they were present in this book. I wasn't a fan of the comics the MC h was drawing, though I know they were there for the parallel to the main storyline, it didn't do anything for me.

I'm reviewing this two months after I finished reading it (life happens, it's annoying), and the main thing I remember after reading this was not really liking it, but not hating it. Just kind of "meh".

It is very action-adventure and I can see this working for graphic novel readers who enjoy a fast paced movement-filled story. It wasn't my bag, but that's ok, not every book is for every reader.

2, it wasn't for me but it might be the perfect read for you, stars.

Soma is a graphic novel about a struggling comic artist who meets a strange little alien—and then has to deal with the possible end of the world.

I loved the art style, and the story is very touching as well as darkly funny. The way the protagonist’s struggles with their art were reflected in the story was very interesting. Art block sure hits different when the world is about to be destroyed by aliens.

This is a cute graphic novel about someone with artist block who meets an alien and the chaos that ensues from there. It wasn't what I expected at all, and I'm not upset about that. I loved the story, the characters and even though the ending isn't at all what I thought it would be when I started reading I still really enjoyed this book. I recommend it if you're a fan of graphic novels with amazing art and a fun story line.

3 ⭐️

Characters: 6
Art style: 7
Writing: 6
Plot: 4
Intrigue: 6
Logic: 3
Enjoyment: 4

Firstly I'd like to thank NetGalley and Oni Press for giving me an ARC to review. All opinions are my own 💖
While the story didn't manage to blow me away, the attention to detail and beautiful use of colour made this a nice little palette cleanser when I needed it. I believe I would have enjoyed it more as a series where everything didn't feel this rushed.

A colorful graphic novel about a comic book artist named Maya who is struggling to finish her work when a cute octopus-like alien crash lands in her apartment. The alien's race is planning to invade earth, and it's up to Maya and the alien to fight off the invasion.

The art style was perfect for the alien invasion storyline, and the character art and colorful background scenes made it fun and easy to read. While the plot was pretty simple and sometimes a bit disjointed (there was also a side character friend named Juu who was finding romance alongside the alien invasion), but the art made up for the points the storyline lacked.

I think Soma will be appreciated by other artists, graphic designers, and creatives who can relate to getting sidetracked while finishing their work!

3.5/5 stars

Thank you Oni Press for the ARC!

Loved the concept but in execution I didn't care for the cliched characters, and I found the overly busy art hard to follow.

Soma by Fernando Llor is a thought-provoking and atmospheric novel that delves into themes of identity, consciousness, and the human experience. The story is both introspective and haunting, with Llor’s writing creating a deep sense of mystery and philosophical exploration. The plot weaves through complex characters and concepts, challenging readers to reflect on the nature of existence. With its strong narrative and engaging prose, Soma is a compelling read for those who enjoy literary fiction with a touch of the surreal and philosophical.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the ARC!

Maya, a comic book artist, stressed by deadlines and whether their art is meaningful or enjoyable to do. (Can relate)
A best friend navigating the dating world....and finding it rather lackluster.
And an alien invader that crash lands in Maya's apartment warning of an imminent alien invasion!

With the art style and comedy, this would be great for fans of Steven Universe or Scott Pilgrim.

High octane thrills and a surprising bit of heart in this beautifully illustrated comic. Dynamic colour palettes matching the differing tones through the short story and gorgeously detailed backgrounds. I found this a very fun comic to read and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new graphic novel.

The colorful stunning images immediately drew me in. However, the overall story fell short. I struggled to connect to/care for the characters and at times found it hard to follow due to the pacing. While I may not be quick to recommend it, I think sci-fi lovers looking for a lighthearted and fast paced graphic novel may enjoy this.

*Soma* is an engaging comic about Maya, a comic book artist who has an unexpected encounter with an alien when Soma crash-lands in her living room. It turns out that there's about to be a “War of the Worlds"-style invasion.

The art is winsome, and the story is cute. It leans quite YA, and the graphic style and plot match that—so if that’s your jam, pick this up.

Thanks to Oni Press and NetGalley for early DRC access.

The first thing that attracted me to this graphic novel, was the eye catching cover and really beautiful blue and pink colour palette.

Plot wise, we’re following a young, burnt out comic book artist who is struggling to meet her deadline when an alien crash lands in her living room. The story then evolves from there with an alien invasion, which is something I always enjoy reading about!

Throughout reading the number one thing I appreciated was the really beautiful artwork! It’s unique and really captured the spirit of the story, and I think it paired really well with the gorgeous colour choices the artist made! I did also really love the way we got to see the parallels between this alien invasion Maya is experiencing, and the art she is creating and how she feels about it.

All in all a very fun and action packed graphic novel that’s perfect for reading in one sitting, and I would highly recommend to a wide range of people!

(Thank you to NetGalley, ONI Press and the author for my E-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

I really enjoyed seeing the characters progress in this story. The story was well paced and well written. I was hooked from the beginning and devoured it in just a few sittings.

'Soma' is a fast paced, fairly chaotic graphic novel about a struggling comic book artist who finds herself swept into a scenario worthy of a comic itself: helping the alien being, Soma, defend the Earth from invaders. We follow Maya as she fights her way across the city, led by the rebel (and adorable) Soma, in cinematic sweeps, but also follow her best friend as he tries to score a successful date. The world might be ending, but really that just makes it more crucial, right?

While the A plot tries to really connect to the weight of courage and the potential of friendship, it doesn't always quite land the way I would have hoped. The pacing doesn't quite allow you to feel the weight of the story's actions, which does detract from those emotive moments.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with it, but am unlikely to want to reread.

Real rating: 3.5

3.5 Stars!

I want to start this review by saying, thank you to @Netgalley and @OniPress for letting me receive the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

This was overall a cute and quick read. I loved all the character because they all felt like real people with real life problems. I also loved reading about a main character that is a comic book artist. I also liked how the MC writes and draws alien comics and then she has to try to stop an alien invasion.

The art in this graphic novel was very cute. It was colorful and fun. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick and cute Sci-Fi graphic novel.

Soma is an intriguing and atmospheric graphic novel that blends dystopian themes with an eerie, cyberpunk aesthetic. The storytelling is gripping, with a layered narrative that explores the consequences of technological dependence and societal control. The artwork complements the tone perfectly, using moody colors and striking visuals to enhance the tension and depth of the world. The characters are compelling, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. If you enjoy thought-provoking dystopian fiction with a strong visual style, Soma is a must-read.

Very mixed feelings because... well the art, the colours, the flow, the movement in this comic are fantastic! And it's funny! And the story is not bad - it's just... not enough.

There's a lot of potential, just not enough depth. But worth a read anyway.

This was a really imaginative and engaging graphic novel that will resonate with a lot of people. The story was engaging, the art was adorable, and the colors were fantastic.

I couldn't tell you a single thing that happened in this book but the illustrations were gorgeous! I just don't think the overall plot was very cohesive. I did like how the colour schemes tell you where each scene is taking place i.e. red scenes for the "invasion", but that was the only way to differentiate between different plotlines.