My thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for an advance copy of a graphic novel that mixes together many different genres, to a tell a story that is unique, sad, funny and beautifully illustrated, with a lot of heart, and a lot of skill

I have been reading comics since I was old enough to understand that pictures tell stories. Over the years I have seen a lot, read a lot, been disappointed a lot. And been taken by surprise. Usually by an author I didn't know anything about. Sometimes by my own assumtions of how a story should go. I must say not only was I surprised by this story, but I honestly had no idea where it was going, nor did I know how much I was going to care to find out. And how much I want more about these characters, and more by this author. Ionheart is the English language debut of a German-Austrian creator, Lukas Kummer, and is a love story, fantasy story, science fiction story, dystopian police procedural filled with magic, action, repentance, and hope.

A man awakens to a world that has been ravaged by an unstoppable creature. The man was once a night, a companion to a princess, and a warrior to the oppressed, with his sword and armor. Now the princess he loved is gone, his companions wounded and weakened. And a demon, cruel and unstoppable is after him. The knight gathers his equipment, a flashlight, a shock stick, and his trusty steed a flying car, and sets off to make things right. Meanwhile right behind is a creature full of fire, and anger, answering only to a cosmic force called Bob.

I don't want to get to much into the plot, as it might ruin things. I really enjoyed this story. The art and setting is almost like a YA graphic novel. Honestly my first thought was Smile from the brightness of the art, and the panel sizes. I was so wrong. This is a dark story, a violent story about choosing life, choosing who to be, fighting for what is right, and losing. Sometimes love, sometimes everything. The story barrels along well, even the jumps make sense. The dialogue elevates the story. I'm not sure how the book was translated, or even if it was, but text gels really well with what is going on. In addition to action there ae passages about relationships, and friendships and trying to do right, that lifts the story from a simple quest to something much more.

A graphic novel that blew all my expectations out of the water. What I thought looked like a Teen dystopian was a meditation on what we are, can we change, can we fix the past, and make better future. I really am looking forward to more stories by Lukas Kummer.

Ionheart is a sci-fi graphic novel that uses time/dimension travel to create a gritty, sometimes gory, saga about revenge, regrets, and love. A knight who uses technology as magic in a medieval world comes back from the brink of destruction to try and fix a series of past mistakes.

The art is dark and saturated, making the post-apocalyptic world come to life. This story focuses on toxic relationships in a variety of forms and how their impact can reverberate out to everyone in the community. Dark stories aren’t my usual style, especially when none of the main characters are particularly likable, but the story and characters are compelling. Plus, some of the reveals did take me by surprise. If you’re into post-apocalyptic sci-fi, give this a try.

Trigger warning for depictions of violence/gore.

I enjoyed this but i didn't love it and that's mostly due to it simply not being my cup of tea. I thought the art style and use of color was lovely but I may not be a sci-fi kind of person. This story blends fantasy and sci-fi together fairly well with a dash of gore that is fairly safe for the squeamish.

A beautiful blend of fantasy and science fiction, Kummer blew me away with his American debut. A knight wakes up from a thirty year nap, and we travel back and forth through his timeline, as he tries to save his princess and the kingdom. The art style is wonderful, and really enhances the experience, as the drawings really lend itself to the world created. The blended sci-fi and fantasy really immerses you in this odd world, and I especially enjoy the idea of technology being "magical". I was genuinely so surprised at how quickly I was hooked, and I can't wait to see what Kummer does next!

Ionheart is an action, gore, and profanity-filled sci-fi and fantasy mashup that explores themes of artificial life, love, and the dark side of human nature, despite its simplistic cartoony art style.

Ionheart is set in a medieval world where objects and technology from the future, referred to as magic by the locals, randomly fall from the sky through temporal breaches. It follows a decorated medieval knight adept in the use of this “magic” who awakens 30 years after an apocalypse involving a demon (murderous advanced robot) decimated his kingdom, poisoned his friends/people, and turned the terrain into a desert wasteland.

With the demon now back and hunting him, we are left to wonder, who is this knight, why is technology from the future showing up in the past, why can he understand and use this futuristic tech, why hasn’t he aged at all in the 30 years since the apocalypse, and what history is there between him and this demon

Ionheart has such a uniquely gripping plot and story. The concept feels so refreshing and original, plus the book is very well-written, especially the first chapter. Its characters are complex and relatable, and the growth and development of the lead in the series is very compelling, but after the first chapter, the pacing becomes awkward, and the story going back and forth between timelines just confused this reader, making it feel like it's all over the place.

I initially wasn’t going to read this because of the art, but I’m so glad I did. The minimalist design is complemented by very detailed illustrations/imagery, and the use of contrasty neon colors to portray the synthetic aspects of the world was masterfully executed. The book is beautiful and its pages glow and stand out to the reader, I wasn’t at all expecting to enjoy the art so much that I would change a thing about it, it just perfectly suits the feel of the book and adds to its originality. There’s also lots of sexual imagery and language, this book is not at all for kids

Great book, 3.6 out of 5 stars, and strongly recommend for any Sci-Fi/Fantasy fan, or anyone looking for a well-written unique and refreshing story.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Top Shelf Productions for providing me with a free eARC

3.5 rounded up!

This was a very interesting read and the concept kept me captivated! The art style is fantastic, especially with the use of colours to distinguish between worlds. Unfortunately, I started to get a little lost during chapter two as the time line started to wobble and the narrative left a clear structure. The ending arrived so suddenly but I'm hoping that could mean a volume two is in the future!

Thank you to IDW Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC.
I'm afraid this just wasn't for me. Looking at the cover I thought I would check it out but the art is just not my thing at all. The use of colors is lovely but the overall style isn't to my taste. Taste in style is subjective though, and this is only my personal opinion. However, due to my feelings I have chosen to DNF this title. Since I didn't make it very far I will not post a review to my socials.

This was a gutpunch from beginning to end. We follow Billy in what seems to be a steampunk fantasy world that he tries to save from total annihilation. Only nothing is what it seems as time is very wibbly wobbly. I enjoyed the mind-bending trip this graphic novel takes its readers. I appreciated the juxtaposition between muted and bright colours that bordered on neon throughout the story, depending on the setting of the scene.

Loved the art style on show here - it reminded me a little of Tom Gauld's comics. Fantastic use of colour palette. Really enjoyed the story and its contrasts between futuristic and medieval times, and magic versus technology. Fans of Disenchantment and Adventure Time will have a blast with Ionheart!

*3.5 stars rounded up*

I was thoroughly surprised reading Ionheart because of how gripping the storytelling was! I found it extremely interesting how magic and technology were integrated throughout the novel, and I thought it was a truly original approach to showcasing the differences between the time periods. It was a perfect blend of sci-fi and fantasy, combining the two to create a unique story that unfolds as readers learn more about Billy, the protagonist.

I thought the tougher topics were touched on very well, and I liked how the author was able to blend those topics in the medieval and futuristic periods. It also allowed readers to see some character development from Billy as they see how his actions change, but then how he reflects on his behavior later on. That being said, there are some TWs that readers should check out first before picking up this book, like toxic relationships, gore, and mentions of sex.

While I was enjoying the plot a lot when I first started, I was starting to get lost toward the middle in Chapter 2. The use of color to signify what point in time Billy is in is incredibly well done, but it did at times get confusing since the story was never truly told chronologically. Jumping back and forth constantly while trying to understand the complexities of these worlds meant I had to reread a couple of pages every once in a while to make sure I wasn't missing a key detail. However, that didn’t necessarily ruin my experience reading, since I did feel satisfied at the end when everything started to come together.

Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25 ⭐

I am having a hard time stringing words together to describe this graphic novel. There are loads of words on their own that hint at what you'll find but I'm not entirely sure the best way to put them in order. Weird, beautiful, gory, twisty, surprising.
The art is gorgeous, the use of colour was absolutely stunning. I remember being blown away by a particular page that was at both times incredibly gruesome and gory but also strangely beautiful. The story is weird, which may recommend it to some, and put others off, but as someone who has been actively seeking out weird sci-fi it scratched an itch for me.
The story is written non-linearly which also recommended itself to me, but again I can appreciate might put others off. Wondering where the story was going to go next, and what was happening in the long game kept me hooked.

All that said, while I really liked it I would be cautious who I recommended it to.
Thank you so much NetGalley and IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions for the review copy.

✨️I want to thank the author, IDW Publishing and Netgalley for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review✨️

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

Disclaimer; I didn't read a lot of Graphic Novels in my life, so keep in mind I don't have lots of experience with those.

First and foremost, I enjoyed the story. It was an easy read and had Sci-Fi and Fantasy in it. It was also a fast read, I think it took me like around an hour to read it. I liked following Billy's story. The art is well made, I like how Lukas Kummer did it with the colors and everything.

The only thing that I struggled with was the back and forth between real time and flashbacks. I sometimes had whiplash because of how it did it without expecting it. Then again, maybe it's just because I am unexperienced with Graphic Novels!? 🤷🏻‍♀️

The story was kinda simplistic but also covered some serious subjects that people would probably find relatable.

All in all, I enjoyed it and recommend it.

I bloody love this. Graphics are amazing on my iPad and the colours are saturated, going from very dark to very light which makes the book visually appealing. I chose the book because I especially enjoy reading books that are written in another language and then translated or where the authors first or primary language is not English. Some how it gives the tone of the writing more depth for me and even in this graphic novel I felt this.
I think I don’t want to describe the Story because I think there would be spoilers. I think I can say I agreed with the comparison with a combination of Tintin and Bladerunner.
It is explicit at times so not for children, a significant swear word at one point, sexual topics and extreme violence. At times it’s sad, scary, poignant and even laugh out loud funny.
It was confusing at times but less so than some Dr Who episodes. It was a quick read and I can imagine reading it again to discover more detail and maybe get a better understanding. It,as be I missed something or, I hope, there will be a sequel. I would definitely look out for more by this author and illustrator.

Ionheart is a visually striking sci-fi fantasy graphic novel that grabs attention with its bold, poppy color palette, even if the art leans toward the simplistic. The first story is the standout—an engaging blend of medieval aesthetics and modern technology, cleverly framed as magic by the characters. It’s a fresh and cohesive narrative that hooks you early.

Unfortunately, the second and third stories don’t quite carry that same spark. The initial intrigue fades, and the plot loses momentum. However, the ambiguous ending is somewhat of a redeeming highlight. Whether it’s a time loop, a parallel reality, or total annihilation, the conclusion invites thought and interpretation (my money is on creating another present on a multiversal planet on which the story repeats with the tiniest differences).

Overall, Ionheart is an imaginative read with strong moments, especially early on, but uneven storytelling in the latter half keeps it from reaching its full potential, in my opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-graphic novel arc in exchange for an honest review.

This graphic novel was not for me. The plot was kind of all the place and made me contemplate DNFing as it is just a tough read. The artist also uses a more minimalistic approach to his artwork, which blended together after a while, contributing to the lull. I can see how some may like it as it does have a certain humor to it that some may like at times, but I just could not get behind it.

What a beautiful blend of medieval and futuristic elements wrapped in striking illustrations. I would venture to say this graphic novel dabbles in the dark fantasy genre. It is also true to its "Blade Runner" comparisons. While I did find the story to be disjointed at points, it didn't impede my overall experience reading. If any of those genres fascinate you, I would recommend you check this out.

"I always found it cruel to give feelings to a machine."

Ionheart had one of the most interesting summaries I'd read in a long time, and the cover was gorgeous. Perhaps my expectations were slightly too high, however. For some positive notes, the artist chose a beautiful color palette and pages are pleasing to the eye because the palette will be consistent across the entire page. The art style wasn't my favorite personally, but that type of thing is subjective, so I don't dock points for that. For reference, it reminded me at times of an adult swim cartoon. Chapter two had some genuinely sad moments, because they were so true to real life (the kind of stuff we probably read fiction to escape). I felt those were well done. I also enjoy scenes where a character reflects on their life and what got them to where they are now, and how they're coming to peace with it, which that chapter had.
For the downsides, I was confused at times because I couldn't tell if the author was being satirical or not (I still can't tell you, truth be told. I feel kind of stupid for that). Sometimes the writing was trying to be funny and sometimes it was serious. The two tones felt confusing to me. Mostly though, I just felt the story was kind of boring. I never connected to a single character. I didn't see why I should care, and I was never given a reason to. So for me that really was the main problem.


Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an arc to review 💜

Ionheart by Lukas Kummer is a bold mashup of sci-fi and fantasy, blending Arthurian-inspired knights with transdimensional robots, demons, and time-hopping chaos. The concept is undeniably creative—imagine a *Lovebot* turned hitman turned knight, wrestling with identity across fractured timelines—and the striking, vibrant art style gives the book a distinct visual flair. At its best, the story is emotionally gripping, with moments that delve into heavy themes like toxic relationships, purpose, and the darker sides of humanity.

However, the execution falters. The nonlinear storytelling often feels disorienting rather than clever, with abrupt jumps in time and setting that leave the reader scrambling to piece together what’s happening. Some sections (particularly Part Three) introduce major plot points—like a sudden murder mystery—that feel rushed or tacked on, disrupting the flow. While the shifting color palettes are a neat stylistic choice, the art itself may not click with everyone; its nostalgic, almost cartoonish vibe sometimes clashes with the story’s darker, more violent tone.

The biggest issue, though, is coherence. The protagonist’s multiple identities (knight? robot? assassin?) are intriguing in theory, but the transitions between them are jarring, making it hard to stay invested in his journey. The demon antagonist, initially compelling, fades into the background, and key emotional beats—like betrayal and forgiveness—don’t land as strongly as they should due to the breakneck pacing.

There’s a lot to admire here—originality, bold themes, and a clear passion from the artist—but *Ionheart* struggles to balance its grand ideas with clear, satisfying storytelling. If you love experimental, genre-blending graphic novels and don’t mind a bit of confusion along the way, it might be worth a look. For me, it was a fascinating but frustrating read that didn’t quite live up to its potential.

2.5 stars rounded up

I really loved the colors used in this story, and parts of the plot. But the art style, and the way the story kept jumping around really didn't work for me. I don't know if I would continue with this series.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Emotionally gripping and amazing storytelling! I never thought I'd ever read something like this, a (graphic) novel where literal science fiction mixes with fantasy and at the same time tackle heavy themes like toxic relationships and questions about humanity.

At first I doubted that I'd enjoy this because of the art style that I'm not used to, but I was later amazed by how complex the story itself was as I read onward. Even though I was initially taken aback by the heavy stuff tackled in the story (TW for cussing, gore and violence, and mentions of sex) it is a legit solid story. Thank goodness I gave this one a chance despite all that mentioned because it was really worth bingeing.

Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.