Jessica (HDB)

Nostalgia made me pick up this graphic novel. Let's be honest, Turok was a part of my childhood. In the late 90's, I remember popping this game into my Nintendo 64 and loving the awesome graphics. I hoped for some of that old excitement to come pouring back in while I read this graphic novel. I wanted epic dinosaur battles, and plenty of action. I got some of that, but this wasn't quite what I was expecting.

Turok is a character that has been revamped more than a few times. First in comic books, then in the multiple video games that contained his character. I knew there was a strong possibility that this particular Turok would also be different, and he was. A lone Indian youth, separated from his clan because of some unnamed atrocity committed by his parents. A character who battles between the darkness that loneliness has placed inside him, and the kindness that his parents instilled in him as a child.

I liked this Turok. My biggest issue was that I could never really settle myself into his life. The beginning of this graphic novel was more than a bit confusing. Panels full of pain, and taunting, that didn't coalesce into something I understood. I knew that Turok's parents were dead, that it was the fault of his clan, that he was separate. I just didn't know why. Maybe they're holding on to that for a future issue? The problem was, I needed that information to fully comprehend why Turok was the way he was. Since I didn't have it, I had to take his behavior at face value. 

The action in this book was actually rather lacking, which is the reason why I only gave it 3 stars. This first volume combines 7 issues of comics, and nothing all that exciting really happens. There were a few minor battles, the dinosaurs made their debut, but I wasn't feeling the story. My biggest issue, honestly, was that the way the dinosaurs arrived in this area in the first place made no sense to me. It might be different for others, but for me? It's pretty hard to fathom. For the pleasing illustrations, and the nostalgia it brought back, I'll offer up 3 stars to Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (Volume 1). I just likely won't be back for more.