Tribes: The Dog Years

Creating a cinematic spectacle of a graphic novel, artist Miranda and colorist de la Cruz combine for impressive wide-screen vistas in this story of an apocalyptic future where mankind has been condemned to live no longer than 21 years. The story follows Sundog, a member of the Sky Shadow tribe located in the ruins of what was once the Pacific Northwest. After an artificially engineered virus drastically reduced human lifespan centuries ago, the world of Sundog and the rest of his tribe has been reduced to hunting and gathering and fighting off savage competitors. When an aged man appears from the sky with the promise of a cure, Sundog is convinced by Fallingstar, a girl he cares deeply for, to go off on a quest to recover it, and an adventure to find the way to grow old commences. Writers Geszel and Spinetta have put great thought into constructing a believable world that has been run by teenagers for generations, although the story dawdles at times. Miranda's artwork and layouts are the standout; from its sweeping landscapes to its hectic action sequences, it continually conveys a sense of epic adventure. (June)