The Changeling, Vol. 1

Drawing on Indigenous Taíno culture and the stylings of 20th-century manga, Lugo debuts with an ambitious if derivative opening to a fantasy adventure series. Born in a society of shape-shifting lycans, young outcast Luth aims to earn her people’s respect by becoming a Heketi, one of the elite warriors who defend their lands. To do so, Luth must undergo a grueling trial-by-survival, during which she begins to learn more about the circumstances of her birth and why she’s known to at least one femme fatale as the “Dark Star.” Lugo’s obvious talent for environmental illustration is one of the volume’s highlights, immersing readers in a dense jungle populated with fantastical creatures. But Lugo’s strength in worldbuilding becomes a detriment due to lore dumps coming at the expense of narrative elegance, especially the introduction of a curmudgeonly fairy sidekick with a great deal to explain about their various magic abilities and laws. The creator’s love for manga and high fantasy shows through, but the result feels like as much a retread as an homage to popular series like Naruto, though remixed with novel cultural signifiers. It’s worth following, in hopes that, as the series progresses, Lugo takes new narrative leaps. (Aug.)