Sorry, David. It’s Matt’s turn to annex this spot!! I had a nice little group of some small press titles I’ve been waiting to post up until the Decade list is done, and now that is I’m ready to shine the spotlight on them. What I’ve got today are three issues by two different small presses: Saint James Comics and Firetower Studios. So without further ado, let’s get right into the thick of it.
Ex Occultus: Badge of Langavat
By Robert James Russell
Artwork by Sandra Lanz
I’ll be as upright as I always try to be: I am not a big fan of horror. I like zombie related things sure, but just in general horror stories don’t do it for me. The closest you’ll see me reading in comic form is a Hellboy comic, and that doesn’t really count, now does it? However, after reading Ex Occultus, I’ve gotta say that this horror could do it for me.
In Badge of Langaval, we’re treated to a one-shot story starring the main character of the series, Francis Wakefield, as he travels the countryside with fellow monster hunter Fergus Duff, investigating the case of some missing children. There have been rumors of werewolves and, Wakefield being the brave explorer that he is, spares no expense in doing what he can to find these children. Upon the discovery of a clan of werewolves, whose legend ties back farther than we could have imagined, intense action breaks out as Wakefield and Duff battle the beasts for the lives of the children. Awesome.
As much as I generally dislike horror stories, I thought this one was splendidly told. Russell has created a fine hero in Wakefield, one whose silence and general brooding demeanor creates intrigue towards his travels and adventures. As the book unfolds, we see a wonderful mythos laying within, and it doesn’t treat the reader as a fool either. Nothing is explained too thoroughly and there is an appendix in the back to help elaborate for those who need/want it. It makes for an excellent touch of writing.
As for the artwork by Lanz, her thick lines and shadows create for a terrificly dark and foreboding landscape. There is one scene in particular near the end, during the final confrontation, which really helps her to shine with her artwork. Her characterizations are steadfast and the panels do an amazing job of moving the story bit by bit. The dark world she has been given the chance to bring to life is tremendous.
Suffice it to say, this Ex Occultus does a terrific job of introducing new readers (like myself) to the world created here. For fans of horror and non-horror alike, it’s always fun to watch a werewolf get terminated, 1800’s style.
Indego Blue #1
Written by Robert James Russell and Jesse Young
Art by Howard Russell
You know those moments when you pick up a brand new comic, first issue, read it, and you think to yourself that you’ve found yourself a great new comic to get excited about? Indego Blue is by far and large one of those comics. The first thing I thought when I got my copy was “Hello, Science Dog,” but it’s definitely much more than that. Indego Blue is a brand new hero for a brand new world, and definitely a comic to keep your eyes open for.
In the future, the biggest issue that plagues mankind is gene splicing. A new form of secondary citizens exist, and it is those who were unlucky enough to be spliced with an animal. However, Indego Blue, the titular character, rises up against all of these stereotypes, fighting against those who would seek to harm him and his fellow spliced humans. Of course, this just won’t stand, and our villain is going to do whatever it takes to tip the edge.
A quick but fun read, Indego Blue offers up a clever take on a futuristic romp. This comic does a great job of exemplifying one thing I really love in comics, and that is a smart blend of wit and science. Russel and Young have done a great job in creating the character and the story, and even after one issue I’m ready for another. This book reads and feels like the type of comic I could easily recommend to ten people off the top of my head, and that’s a smart sign. My one and only complaint towards it, though, is that the covered is rendered magnificently in color and the rest of the book is in black and white. While this is obviously a small gripe as the book still looks great with it’s specialized cartoonish style, I just can’t stop imagining how good it would look in full color. This is of course a very small gripe towards a wonderful first issue, and worst comes to worst I’ve got a box of crayons somewhere.
Continued belowRegardless, Indego Blue #1 really is a great start for a new series. I’m excited to see where it goes from here.
The Order of Dagonet #2
Story by Jeremy Whitley
Art by Jason Strutz
While I thought the first issue was a good start, this second issue was absolutely brilliant, and I don’t use that word lightly. The previous issue was very much a starter issue in which the writer and artist needed to pull us in. Now that we’re back for a second issue, however, the true wit and charm of the book can freely flow, and flow freely it surely does my friends.
In the second issue, we have all the characters waking up from previously induced comas caused by wizards. All are trying to figure out where they are now, how they got there, and how do they get to London. Of course, considering all the terror going down in old London town right now, it seems that just simply hopping on a plane isn’t that easy, especially with two characters are in a hospital with no way to get to the airport, and one of them just woke up in a coma in a bookstore. Enter our new characters, all still parodies in their own right, and all just as entertaining as our main trio, and by the end of the issue every character has somehow managed to find a trip abroad.
The book still manages to everything I previously complimented on it well: the art is very entertaining and the panel structure is still as unique as it ever was, even opening the book in a similar and entertaining fashion. The breakdown of panels is really something that other books could hope to emulate, as sequences are drawn without traditional formats yet still look brilliant. The story is fresh and the characters are still endearing. What is really amazing in this issue though is that the humor, which was previously at a steady 7, has been very much turned up to 11. There are several moments where I had to stop reading because I was just laughing too hard, especially during a backhanded remark about Little Britain. The book’s main asset is it’s humor (or is that humour?) as we follow the three most unlikely saviors of Britain, perhaps of all time. So when your story is chock full of some of the best humorous dialogue in a comic, you know you’re set.
Needless to say, the second issue of the Order of Dagonet is a great entry into this series, completely outshining the first. As long as the book manages to keep up the incredibly wit this issue had, it’s destined for greatness.
Be sure to check out both publishers at whoissaintjames.com and firetowerstudios.com
