Abatia #1: Începutul unei odisei by Alexandru Vizitiu

📝 First Impressions

I went into Abatia #1: Începutul unei odisei expecting the artwork to do much of the storytelling. The issue is drawn in very dark tones, and there is a lot of empty space on the page. That approach can work beautifully when the images are expressive enough to carry the reader through a scene without much text. Here, though, I often wanted more guidance. The drawings did not always make the events clear enough on their own, so the lack of text left me feeling distant from the story rather than invited to interpret it.

That disappointment stayed with me as I read. I could see the effort behind the comic, and I wanted to connect with its world, but the visual storytelling did not give me enough to hold on to. The dark palette also made the pages feel heavier, while the large stretches of space made the issue seem less vivid than I had hoped. Instead of feeling immersed, I found myself wishing for clearer images or a little more text to help the scenes come together.

The strongest part of the issue for me was not the comic itself, but the prose story at the end: “Nefapt, Neude, Nicăiurea” by Mihai Octavian Giulvezan. I had not come across the author’s name before, and this story was a genuine surprise. It may not have struck me as a work of genius, but it was very good: thoughtful, memorable and full of feeling. It follows the artist from the beginning of their life to the end, and turns the question of whether talent is a gift or a curse into something personal rather than abstract.

That story made me pause and think. I appreciated the way it approached a question that may never have one answer that applies to everyone. Perhaps talent can be a gift for one artist and a burden for another; perhaps it can be both at once. The story made that idea feel human, and I finished it with a real sense of admiration. “Bravo, maestre!” was my honest reaction. I was grateful for the chance to read something that stirred my thoughts and gave the issue a moment of real emotional resonance.

In fact, that closing story was the main reason I did not give up on the magazine altogether. I am deeply disappointed by the first issue of the comic, especially because I can tell that a great deal of work went into making it. I wanted the comic to work for me, and I am sorry that it did not. I am willing to give it another chance, but it will need to win me over next time. The prose story, at least, gave me one piece of the issue that I can wholeheartedly praise.

💜 What I Loved

The part I loved most was “Nefapt, Neude, Nicăiurea,” the story by Mihai Octavian Giulvezan at the end of the issue. It was an unexpected highlight, and it gave me something meaningful to take away from an issue that had otherwise left me disappointed. I had not encountered the author’s name before, so I began reading without any particular expectations. By the end, I was impressed by how much the story had made me think.

Its central question—whether talent is a gift, a curse, or perhaps both—felt familiar in the best way. It is the kind of question that does not have one simple answer, because the experience of being an artist must be different for every person. The story approaches that idea through the artist’s life, from its beginning to its end, and makes the question feel personal. I liked that it did not need to settle the matter with a universal conclusion. Instead, it left me considering how the same talent might bring purpose and joy while also carrying its own demands.

The story also has a warmth and humanity that made it stand out. It carried me into the artist’s inner world and encouraged me to think about what creativity asks of a person. I found it very good and genuinely thought-provoking. “Bravo, maestre!” was my immediate response, because I appreciated the care and imagination behind it. I also wanted to thank the author for giving me a reason to pause and engage with the issue on a deeper level.

I’m glad this piece was included, because it became the main reason I did not abandon the magazine after reading the comic. Even though the issue as a whole disappointed me, this story showed me that it had something that could connect with me. I finished it with a positive impression of the author’s work and a desire to read more from him.

That contrast made the story even more memorable for me. The comic’s dark images and empty spaces left me wanting more clarity, while this prose piece gave me a clear emotional and intellectual thread to follow. It reminded me how much the right story can change the way I feel about an entire issue. I may not have been won over by the comic, but “Nefapt, Neude, Nicăiurea” gave me a reason to remain open to what the magazine might offer next.

🤔 What Didn’t Quite Work for Me

The comic itself was the main reason Abatia #1: Începutul unei odisei didn’t work for me. I found the artwork too dark, and there was a lot of empty space on the page. A sparse approach can be powerful when the images communicate clearly and give the reader room to absorb what is happening. Here, I often felt that the drawings needed more support. They were not always explicit enough for me to follow the story without text, so the quietness of the pages left me uncertain rather than intrigued.

I don’t expect a graphic novel to explain every detail in words. Images can leave things unsaid and invite readers to make their own connections. But I still need to feel that the visual storytelling is guiding me through the scene. In this issue, I sometimes struggled to understand what the images were asking me to notice or how one moment connected to another. That made it harder to settle into the story and care about where it was going.

The dark colour palette also affected my experience. Darkness can create atmosphere, and I understand why an artist might choose it, but for me the pages became difficult to engage with. Combined with the empty spaces and the lack of text, the overall effect felt more obscure than expressive. I wanted the art to draw me further into the story, yet I found myself trying to work out what I was looking at instead.

I could see that the comic must have taken considerable effort to create, which made my disappointment feel all the more genuine. I wanted to enjoy it and hoped that the art would grow on me as I read. Instead, I finished feeling that the first issue had not come together as well as it could have. It is a shame, because I respect the work involved and would have liked to see that effort result in a more accessible reading experience.

The prose story at the end was a much stronger experience for me, and that contrast made the comic’s weaknesses stand out even more. “Nefapt, Neude, Nicăiurea” gave me a clear line of thought to follow and left me considering its question about talent. The comic did not give me the same sense of connection or clarity. I found myself remembering the short story much more vividly than the main feature.

I’m not ready to rule out the comic completely. I’m willing to give it another chance, because a first issue may not show everything a work can become. But my patience is limited: I hope the next one will help me connect more easily with the story and understand what the artwork is trying to convey. For this first issue, though, the reading experience was frustrating, and the story at the end was the one element that truly reached me.

👥 Who Would Enjoy This Book?

Readers who enjoy dark, atmospheric artwork and prefer visual storytelling that leaves room for interpretation may find more to appreciate in Abatia #1: Începutul unei odisei than I did. The sparse pages and limited text ask the reader to spend time with the images and decide what they suggest. If that kind of open-ended reading is appealing, the comic’s style may feel intriguing rather than unclear.

The issue may also suit readers who are curious about Romanian comics and want to explore a new title from its first instalment. Even when a particular artistic approach does not work for every reader, there can be value in seeing what local creators are trying to build. I could tell that a lot of effort went into this issue, and readers who enjoy discovering independent or less widely known comics may be willing to meet it on its own terms.

Those who like a mix of comics and prose will find an additional reason to pick it up. The short story at the end, “Nefapt, Neude, Nicăiurea” by Mihai Mihai Octavian Giulvezan, was my personal highlight. It explores the question of whether talent is a gift or a curse in a thoughtful, personal way. Readers who enjoy reflective stories about artists, creativity and the price of a calling may find that piece especially rewarding.

I would particularly recommend the closing story to readers who like fiction that leaves them with something to think about after they finish. It does not need a simple answer to its central question; its strength lies in making the reader consider how talent might shape a life differently for each person. For me, that story provided the issue’s clearest point of connection.

Readers looking for a comic with bright, detailed artwork or a story that is explained clearly through dialogue may have a more difficult time with this first issue. The dark palette, empty spaces and lack of text were the main obstacles for me. I wanted more visual clarity and a stronger sense of how the scenes fit together. That is a personal response, of course, and someone who enjoys ambiguity may have a very different experience.

Overall, I think this issue is best approached by readers willing to try its comic on its own terms while staying open to the prose story at the end. The comic did not convince me, but the closing story did. If you enjoy thoughtful writing about artistic identity, or if you like exploring Romanian comics and deciding for yourself whether a distinctive visual style works, there may be something here for you.

💭 Final Thoughts

Abatia #1: Începutul unei odisei was a disappointing read for me, especially because I could see the effort behind the comic and wanted to connect with it. The very dark artwork, the empty space on the pages and the lack of text made the story difficult for me to follow. I wanted the drawings to communicate more clearly, so I could feel immersed in the comic instead of trying to work out what each scene was conveying.

The issue did have one real highlight: “Nefapt, Neude, Nicăiurea” by Mihai Mihai Octavian Giulvezan. I hadn’t read anything by him before, and I was pleased to discover a story that made me stop and think. Its question about talent—whether it is a gift, a curse or some combination of the two—felt personal and open-ended. I found it very good, and I appreciated the way it carried me into the artist’s life and inner world.

That story is the reason I’m willing to give the comic another chance. I’m still sorry that the first issue didn’t work for me, particularly knowing how much effort must have gone into it. I hope the next one will help me connect with its images and story more easily. For now, I’ll remember this issue chiefly for its thoughtful closing story and the unexpected pleasure of discovering a writer whose work I’d like to read again.

📖 Book Details

• Title: Abația #1: Începutul unei odisei
• Romanian Title: Abația #1: Începutul unei odisei
• Author: Alexandru Vizitiu (script); Răzvan Chelaru (illustrations)
• Series: Abația – Bandă desenată, #1
• Genre: Science Fiction, Graphic Novel
• Publisher (RO): Not listed
• Published (RO): 2015
• Pages (RO): 36
• Format Experienced: Print comic, paperback
• Edition Owned: Romanian edition, out of print