When popular Spanish cartoonist Álvaro Ortiz’s debut graphic novel, Ashes, arrived in English at the beginning of 2023, it was clear to me the book was destined to be featured on many best-of lists. This has proven to be accurate. The book actually dates back to 2012 in Spanish under the title "Cenizas" (no prizes for guessing what that translates to in English); while it’s somewhat surprising this surreal masterpiece took quite as long as it did to be made accessible in translation, I'm very glad Top Shelf recognized the potential. Ashes is one of those rare gems that genuinely has something for everyone. Ortiz masterfully blends absurdity, adventure, humor, emotion, love and friendship into a scenario so unique it takes a moment for the reader to fully grasp what is going on.
The book begins by introducing us to each of the three main characters: Polly, Moho and Piter (four main characters, should you wish to include Andrés, Moho’s pet monkey that accompanies them throughout the story). The three had known each other in their younger years - a time when they were hopeful, happy, and less acquainted with life’s struggles. They’ve since tailed off into different directions, and have only been brought back together by request. Another member of their old friend group, Hector, has passed away, and asked that his friends reunite to take his ashes to a particular destination. This leads to a road trip of epic proportions.
It's not made clear where the group is going, nor why Hector has chosen these particular friends from his past to carry out the mission, despite spending so many years apart. This creates much intrigue for the reader, though it soon becomes clear that the whole journey is going to be completely off-the-wall. As the three friends follow the map Hector left behind, we soon learn that they are being followed by two men who are both called Smirnov. These gentlemen are twin hillbillies with big beards and dungarees; don't worry, Smirnov has blonde hair and likes to play the banjo, while Smirnov has brown hair and a hook for a hand, so it's easy to differentiate between them. It’s unclear why they’re so interested in Polly, Moho and Piter (and the monkey) - at least to begin with. Any plot presumptions are a pointless exercise; all guesses will almost certainly be wrong.
But while many aspects of this book are fantastic—unless I've made an unreasonable assumption about your pet monkey, or the twin bounty hunters following you—there’s also a thought-provoking, ever-present relatability throughout the comic. Friendships in fiction are typically shown at the height of the relationship, or in a moment of crisis, enabling us to appreciate the bond or emotional dynamic of the gang; in contrast, Ashes shows the group long after the flame has been blown out. Generally speaking, we focus the bulk of our energy on those that impact our life emotionally in the present - though, in many cases, those people had different names, faces and personalities a decade ago. This book will have the reader reflecting on old relationships that have faded away, questioning why the dynamic changed and pondering how any future reunion would play out.
Every character here is shown to have flaws, yet they’re all, for the most part, very likable people (or pets). It’s rare that a reader develops empathy for almost every character in a story, and becomes eager for each of them to find their own version of a happy ending, but there’s a good chance that’s exactly how Ashes will make you feel. This is largely because no character in the story is neglected. We learn of everyone’s past, present and potential future, and therefore understand the motivation behind every choice; we develop sympathy for even the most absurd of actions. This includes Andrés, the monkey, whom we discover has lived one hell of a life. I'm trying to give as little away as possible, but Ashes truly is a rollercoaster. It’s easily one of the best of last year.
