Review: Samara and the Rangers of Centaria
From Homebrewed Comics
I had the chance to read the upcoming Samara and the Rangers of Centaria from Homebrewed Comics. It’s going to be open to crowdfunding from the 8th July.
It’s the year 2708 and humanity has rebuilt itself from the ruins of a machine apocalypse, no technology, no machines, just grit and simple living. When a small-town teacher named Samara is thrust into a deadly confrontation with the legendary Rangers of Centaria, she uncovers a web of secrets and a centuries-old lie that could upend everything her people believe. But the truth about Centaria is nothing like the stories and Samara is about to learn that the people who left Earth behind never really let it go...
Writer: Drew D Lenhart
Artist: Dell Barras
This new graphic novel is an excellent one-shot read. With an interesting – and slightly relevant – setup, we get into the crux of the matter very quickly, but not before laying the groundwork for everything that follows. It immediately presents a mystery that hooks you in, encouraging you to wonder exactly where the story is heading before gradually revealing its hand.
What follows is an excellent sci-fi adventure that successfully blends physical action, family relationships and classic science fiction ideas into one engaging package. It feels like the sort of story that wears its influences proudly while still carving out its own identity. There are some clever action sequences throughout, but it is the twists along the way that really stand out. By the time you reach the ending, you can’t help but think back to those opening pages and realise that several clues were there all along. It’s the sort of storytelling that rewards paying attention.
The storytelling during the introduction is particularly clever. Rather than simply dumping exposition onto the reader, it carefully feeds information at just the right pace before unveiling the potential visitors. The timing of this reveal works extremely well, creating intrigue without overstaying its welcome. From there, the focus shifts towards the family dynamic, with long-buried secrets and unanswered questions gradually coming to the surface. These revelations don’t just exist for the sake of adding drama either—they tie directly back into the opening scenes, making the entire narrative feel well planned and satisfying.
Despite all the mystery and character development, the book certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to action. The buildup to the main confrontation is handled well, allowing the tension to rise naturally before everything explodes into life. The payoff is satisfying, with the battle delivering exciting moments while also advancing the story rather than simply existing as spectacle. I also enjoyed the clever use of what is essentially Chekhov’s Gun—except here it’s the swords hanging above the fireplace that eventually come into play. It’s a fun twist on a familiar storytelling device and another example of how the book rewards readers who notice the smaller details.
The artwork complements the story perfectly. It embraces plenty of classic science fiction imagery, from rockets and robots to futuristic technology, while contrasting it against more grounded locations and societies that lack advanced technology. That contrast helps reinforce the themes running throughout the book, showing two very different worlds colliding. Even the costume designs reflect this balance, with characters looking distinctive while visually representing the different cultures and technological levels they come from. The action scenes are easy to follow, and the quieter family moments are given just as much care, helping the emotional beats land effectively.
Overall, this is a thoroughly enjoyable graphic novel that tells a complete and satisfying story in a single volume. It mixes adventure, mystery, family drama and science fiction in equal measure, with enough twists to keep you engaged from beginning to end. The crowdfunding origins give it an independent charm, but the storytelling itself is polished and confident throughout. Fans of classic sci-fi adventures, as well as readers who enjoy the punchy, twist-driven tales found in the Future Shocks from 2000 AD, should find plenty to enjoy here.
