The Gloriously Untrue Adventures of Sapphira Review – A Vivid Journey Through Sapphira Olson’s Imagination
Every now and then, a comic enters my airspace that reminds me why the medium is a pretty powerful storyteller. The Gloriously Untrue Adventures of Sapphira is one of those discoveries. It is unpredictable, self-aware, and strangely emotional. It’s the sort of book that defies every rule of structure yet somehow feels entirely complete by the final page.
Written and illustrated by Sapphira Olson, this opening issue drops you into a world that feels half dream and half diary. A mysterious goddess narrates her own strange existence, while a space kitten drifts through her reality like a spark of chaos. It sounds ridiculous when you try to describe it out loud, but that is part of its charm. Olson uses absurdity as a language of truth, exploring identity and creativity through humour and vivid bursts of imagination.
What struck me first about this journey was how alive it feels. Olson’s unique art style brings its own rhythm to each page which sees us moving between bright explosions of colour, to then the more quiet black and white sequences that feel like moments of reflection. Each change in style shifts the emotional tone of the page, and really helps the reader to fall into the “Gloriously Untrue”
I’ve been friends with Sapphira on social media for a few months now and I’m often blown away by the artwork she posts. And this book is no different. Much like what I’ve previously touched upon, the art is expressive and direct. Some panels look polished, while others feel raw and sketch-like, but together they create something cohesive and beautiful. You can almost see Olson’s thought process as she draws, explores, and experiments. This in turn lets each page become a small act of discovery with the end result being a visual storytelling feast that feels completely personal and honest.
The narrative flows in a way that refuses to be pinned down. Rather than following a clear path, it drifts between myth, science fiction, and introspection. The goddess Sapphira speaks with a knowing voice, guiding the reader through moments that feel playful and profound at the same time. The space kitten, meanwhile, becomes a kind of mirror - a reminder that even the most divine stories can feel small and fragile when viewed from another angle.
There are also no boundaries between each scene. One moment feels like a conversation with the reader, while the next descends into something akin to a cosmic fable. Olson uses that looseness as a creative strength. Each of these tonal shifts helps to keep the reader alert, curious, and engaged across the whole novel, and is a story that asks you to participate with Sapphire and not simply observe her journey
With this in mind, The Gloriously Untrue Adventures of Sapphira feels incredibly personal. You can sense that this is more than a piece of fiction; it is a reflection of the artist herself. The goddess could represent control, while the space kitten embodies curiosity and freedom with the two colliding on the same page as part of the creative process
Even in its most chaotic moments, the comic has a strange sense of calm. It moves at its own pace, often breaking away from logic to follow its feelings instead. While this rhythm might frustrate those looking for a traditional story, for those willing to follow its flow, the reward is something rare and is ultimately a story that feels mix like an open conversation between its creator and her audience.
It’s strange, beautiful, thoughtful, and entirely its own thing and is a comic that celebrates imagination without restraint. Sapphira Olson has created something that captures the freedom of artistic expression and the thrill of not knowing where the next page will take you.
Ultimately for anyone who loves comics that embrace bold ideas and personal vision, The Gloriously Untrue Adventures of Sapphira is a must-read.
Rating: 10/10
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