For this reviewer who is relatively new to graphic novels, Cyn is an eye-opener. Like Australian author Mirranda Burton's Underground (2021, winner of the 2022 Readings Young Adult Book Prize), it is a great starting point to understanding graphic novels as long-form works of sequential art.
Indeed, the definition of “graphic novel” and how it can be differentiated from “comic book” is still being debated. Yet, most scholars and industry professionals seem to agree that graphic novels tell complete, standalone and longer stories using illustrations, compared to comic books that are often shorter and serialised.
Created by American illustrator and comic book writer/artist Ibrahim Moustafa, Cyn tells the story of Meris, who is haunted by her past lives as a human and as the cybernetic government enforcer known as Cyn. As much as she desires a peaceful and anonymous existence with her new found family, she cannot escape the dark, violent life that she was forced to lead.
But Meris is not the only one with a secret past. This is why she is determined to put her skills to meaningful use and protect her loved ones from the relentless pursuit of a brutal and ruthless organisation. In the words of a major character in the book: “We all used to be someone. It is who we choose to be now that matters most.”
Unsurprisingly, some reviewers are dismayed by the lack of originality in the plot. But the strength of this slim volume lies in its confident reliance on high-impact and tension-filled imagery, packing quite a punch in its illustration of raging conflicts and strong emotions. The dramatic framing, full of mid-action shots and close-ups of facial expressions, further enhances the power of visual storytelling.
Perhaps also unsurprisingly, there are a lot of ultra-violent ninja-style close-quarter battles, and the generous use of darker colours throughout the book makes the spilling, spraying, splattering and splashing of bright red blood particularly eye-catching. Sometimes Meris, with her twin blades, blazing eyes and lightning speed, reminds this reviewer of a vampire. But there is such tenderness on her face when she is in the company of her loved ones, it makes your heart ache.
Cyn is a satisfying read. It makes this reviewer want to explore Moustafa's other works, such as Count (2021, a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo which explains the origins of Cyn) and RetroActive (2022, a time-travel action-adventure story). The two-time Elsner-nominated artist also illustrated American author Christopher Sebela's High Crimes (2019), a “high-altitude noir” set at the summit of Mount Everest.
Note: This review is based on an eARC (advanced reader copy) of the book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. Thanks to the digital format, the graphic novel reads like a webtoon, with the illustrations displayed in one long, vertical scrolling strip, an “infinite canvas” incorporating multiple pages that is easy to read on a smartphone or computer. It is a pleasure to be able to zoom in and observe the details of the full-colour images.