Three old friends reunite for the mother of all road trips! One of Spain’s most brilliant graphic novelists finally makes his English-language debut in this elegantly unpredictable gem.
Polly, Moho, and Piter haven’t seen each other in years. Now they’ve piled into a car for a loooong journey to a mysterious cross marked on a map. All their old personality quirks and conflicts are resurrected with new wrinkles as this surreal reunion gets underway. Up ahead are car chases, alcohol, roadside motels, banjo-playing thugs, a ship graveyard, violence, sensual tension, and, of course, a monkey!
The captivating first graphic novel from internationally renowned cartoonist Álvaro Ortiz is an explosive mix of emotional road movie and hooligan thriller in which nothing is what it seems.
Ashes is an award nominated title, including multiple Eisner Awards and the Harvey Awards, as well as Finalist in the Excellence in Graphic Literature Award for the Best in Adult Fiction!
Álvaro Ortiz studied graphic design at the Escuela Superior de Diseño de Aragón and illustration at the Escola Massana in Barcelona. After winning several comic competitions, including the 2003 Injuve Comic Award, he has become one of Spain’s most acclaimed cartoonists. After the youth graphic novel series Julia and the Norwegian-themed comic book Fjorden, Ortiz released his debut graphic novel for adults, Cenizas (Ashes), which was created with an Alhóndiga Bilbao grant at the Maison des Auteurs in Angoulême, France. His subsequent works include Murderabilia (2014), Rituales (2015), and Viajes (Astiberri, 2016), as well as a collaboration with the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum and a pair of webcomics created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ashes is his first book in English.
“Ortiz’s classic cartoon art style lends itself well to the wacky and surprising elements of his road trip story, while the characters’ reasons for growing apart and coming back together feel true. Ortiz’s English debut will be perfect for fans of Guy Delisle’s work.” —Booklist
“The pages…set an easygoing visual rhythm appropriate to the characters’ affably rambling adventure. This laid-back, sneakily smart charmer should garner Ortiz a new audience.” —Publishers Weekly
"Subtle, lyrical, friendly and funny... An adventure paced like a madcap movie plot, with underlying minor chords." —Library Journal
“A clear contender for best graphic novel of the year.” –IGN
“I’m not sure I could find fault with Ashes if I tried. It was a wonderful reading experience and I’ll be looking forward to Ortiz’s next offering.” –Biff Bam Pop!
“However you describe it, this is one of the most unique graphic novels I’ve had the pleasure to read and I recommend it to everyone.” –Kabooooom!
“Amidst all the comedy and chaos, the story of three old friends reuniting for a purpose hits a sweet spot in our hearts.” –Perfect Turd Podcast
“Funny, emotional, and bursting with adorable monkey shenanigans, Ashes is a charming road trip story about changing friendships.” –The Library Ladies
Three old friends reunite for the mother of all road trips! One of Spain’s most brilliant graphic novelists finally makes his English-language debut in this elegantly unpredictable gem.
Polly, Moho, and Piter haven’t seen each other in years. Now they’ve piled into a car for a loooong journey to a mysterious cross marked on a map. All their old personality quirks and conflicts are resurrected with new wrinkles as this surreal reunion gets underway. Up ahead are car chases, alcohol, roadside motels, banjo-playing thugs, a ship graveyard, violence, sensual tension, and, of course, a monkey!
The captivating first graphic novel from internationally renowned cartoonist Álvaro Ortiz is an explosive mix of emotional road movie and hooligan thriller in which nothing is what it seems.
Ashes is an award nominated title, including multiple Eisner Awards and the Harvey Awards, as well as Finalist in the Excellence in Graphic Literature Award for the Best in Adult Fiction!
Creators
Álvaro Ortiz studied graphic design at the Escuela Superior de Diseño de Aragón and illustration at the Escola Massana in Barcelona. After winning several comic competitions, including the 2003 Injuve Comic Award, he has become one of Spain’s most acclaimed cartoonists. After the youth graphic novel series Julia and the Norwegian-themed comic book Fjorden, Ortiz released his debut graphic novel for adults, Cenizas (Ashes), which was created with an Alhóndiga Bilbao grant at the Maison des Auteurs in Angoulême, France. His subsequent works include Murderabilia (2014), Rituales (2015), and Viajes (Astiberri, 2016), as well as a collaboration with the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum and a pair of webcomics created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ashes is his first book in English.
“Ortiz’s classic cartoon art style lends itself well to the wacky and surprising elements of his road trip story, while the characters’ reasons for growing apart and coming back together feel true. Ortiz’s English debut will be perfect for fans of Guy Delisle’s work.” —Booklist
“The pages…set an easygoing visual rhythm appropriate to the characters’ affably rambling adventure. This laid-back, sneakily smart charmer should garner Ortiz a new audience.” —Publishers Weekly
"Subtle, lyrical, friendly and funny... An adventure paced like a madcap movie plot, with underlying minor chords." —Library Journal
“A clear contender for best graphic novel of the year.” –IGN
“I’m not sure I could find fault with Ashes if I tried. It was a wonderful reading experience and I’ll be looking forward to Ortiz’s next offering.” –Biff Bam Pop!
“However you describe it, this is one of the most unique graphic novels I’ve had the pleasure to read and I recommend it to everyone.” –Kabooooom!
“Amidst all the comedy and chaos, the story of three old friends reuniting for a purpose hits a sweet spot in our hearts.” –Perfect Turd Podcast
“Funny, emotional, and bursting with adorable monkey shenanigans, Ashes is a charming road trip story about changing friendships.” –The Library Ladies
