A Distant Soil is considered a classic of graphic novel art and has been profiled in books, magazines and documentaries. It is listed in The 101 Best Graphic Novels by Stephen Weiner, and is a perennial in American libraries. It’s themes and style predate the now common manga influence in American art, and it’s epic scope, a story of more than 1,000 pages, was almost unprecedented when first published.

“Doran’s artwork puts the title into an elite group of black and whites that exercise the full potential that the format has to offer…intricately detailed…clean backgrounds, innovative layouts…merit attention for their beauty. The writing compliments the artwork well. Despite intricate plots and a looming bout with a time/dimension travel story line, this series is quite accessible…the comic is thoroughly enjoyable and a far cry from the mainstream for readers seeking something new.”