PAVIL'S MASK

In author/illustrator Perrodeau’s graphic novel, translated from the French, an outsider comes to a remote and insular village.

After Pavil’s plane crashes in a field near Lapyoza—a village of stilt houses surrounding a body of water—the inhabitants are initially suspicious of him. Because the ferry to the nearest city won’t arrive for weeks, a council meets to decide whether Pavil should be allowed to stay; they give him permission after they accept that he’s an ordinary citizen and not a spy sent from the Empire. But although he must participate in the village’s communal activities, he’s forbidden from their sacred rituals and sites—especially the island where Hodä, the village’s protective deity, is said to live. As the citizens of Lapyoza slowly accept Pavil, they reveal more secrets about the body of water, including the fact that below its surface lies a sunken city that’s far more technologically advanced than any modern civilization—and that Hodä was the cause of its destruction. After Pavil finds an ancient artifact that’s washed ashore, he meets a young woman named Yüni who agrees to take him on dives to visit the underwater ruins. When Pavil’s incessant curiosity eventually brings him to the island where Hodä lives, the truth is soon revealed about Pavil and Hodä alike. Perrodeau deftly avoids the impulse to explain too much about either the fantastic setting or the mystery at the heart of it; he always presents just enough information to compel readers to read further. He tells much of the story through wordless panels featuring Pavil exploring an island in secret or taking part in communal activities with other villagers. The art style is incredibly sparse, bordering on minimalist, using simple line drawings and plain washes of color from a limited palette—and it’s frankly incredible that Perrodeau infuses so much emotion and life into these deceptively simple-looking drawings.

A standout work that effortlessly blends SF and mystery elements with incredible art.