Kickstarter Review: Excavator #1-3
From D4K Studios
With issues #1-3 in the bag after successful Kickstarters and issue #4 on its way, I had a look at Excavator #1-3 from D4K Studios.
Excavator tells the tale of Boone, a novice excavator (see: archeologist) who finds an artifact. In an effort to save the family farm, he goes off in search of a buyer, only to find others want the artifact for themselves! Enter a girl with a big sword named Ozzie, a cacomistle with a blaster named Opal, who protect him from strange creatures, bounty hunters and more.
Co-Creator/Writer/Executive Producer - Nick Arganbright
Co-Creator/Illustrator - Nil Carmona
Logo - Andriy Lukin
Letterer - Nikki Powers
Co-Editor - Katie Boissoneault
Co-Editor - Jessica Gibson
Jumping into the world of Excavator, I was immediately reminded of the feeling I had when first reading The Hobbit. There is that same sense of a quiet, almost sleepy setting sitting on the edge of something much bigger and far more dangerous. Life seems relatively simple on the surface, but there are hints that the wider world is full of mysteries, threats and adventures waiting to be uncovered.
I felt that most strongly through Boone. He is an easy character to connect with, carrying his own worries, dreams and imagination while trying to navigate a world that is clearly far larger than he realises. Like many great fantasy heroes, he starts out unaware of the bigger picture, but the reader can already see that forces are moving around him that will eventually drag him into something much greater.
Across these first three issues, the balance between character development and action is handled extremely well. There is always something happening, whether it is a confrontation with one of the many strange creatures that inhabit this world or a new revelation that pushes the story forward. What I particularly enjoyed was that the enemies never felt generic. Each creature and foe seems to have its own purpose and motivations, making the world feel more alive and believable rather than simply presenting obstacles for Boone to overcome.
Thankfully, Boone does not have to face everything alone. The introduction of Ozzie and Opal adds a lot to the story, both in terms of personality and intrigue. Boone’s kindness and good nature naturally draw others towards him, making the formation of this group feel genuine. At the same time, Ozzie and Opal are far from straightforward companions. There are clear indications that both are carrying baggage from their pasts and are running from problems of their own. Those unanswered questions add another layer of mystery to the narrative and make me eager to learn more about them.
By the end of the third issue, I found myself completely invested in both the story and its characters. The series does an excellent job of pulling the reader into its world, giving just enough information to keep things moving while leaving plenty of mysteries unsolved. The cast is highly likeable and varied, and the sense that we have only scratched the surface of this setting is one of the comic’s greatest strengths. There is a genuine feeling that countless adventures, secrets and dangers still lie beyond the horizon.
The artwork deserves a huge amount of praise as well. With such a large and diverse cast of characters, it would have been easy for designs to become repetitive, but every character feels distinctive and memorable. The facial expressions are particularly strong, helping to sell both the emotional and humorous moments throughout the story. The environments are equally impressive, ranging from familiar settings to fantastical locations that help bring the world to life. Combined with vibrant colouring and crisp lettering, the visual presentation consistently enhances the storytelling and makes every page a pleasure to spend time with. The creative team has built a world that feels rich, inviting and full of possibilities, and after these first three issues I am very eager to see where Boone’s journey leads next.
