This book is frozen. I don’t mean in a “ballad on the mountaintop,” “winter wonderland” kind of way. Let’s face it, Olaf would never stand a chance in Siberia. No, this book is a kind of frozen that I have never before experienced. It is solid and cold in a way that only ice can be. Still, quiet and pristine, “Rasputin” #1 shows us the power of a winter storm in the heart.
Written by Alex Grecian
Illustrated by Riley RossmoDRACULA AT DOWNTON ABBEY!
In one night Rasputin was poisoned, beaten, stabbed, shot in the head, drowned, then tied up and thrown in a frozen river. It was really bad timing. His beard was just coming in nicely.New York Times bestselling author ALEX GRECIAN and fan favorite artist RILEY ROSSMO reunite for the first time since their critically acclaimed series PROOF!
Grecian and Rossmo bring the of legendary historical figure of Grigori Rasputin to life in an macabre and beautiful way in this new title. Let’s talk a little bit about the subject of this series. Prior to World War I, Rasputin was an important and controversial figure in Russia. Known widely as a healer, his unique blend of Christian mysticism and occult practices have since become the stuff of legend. Closely tied to the Romanovs, Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra and their children, the mythology surrounding Rasputin grew more complex and sensationalized after both he and the entire Romanov family were assassinated in 1916 and 1918, respectively. Rasputin became a fixture associated with the royal family after reportedly healing Tsarevich Alexi, the family’s son and heir who suffered from hemophilia. Accounts of his methods of healing range from conjuring spirits, to the power of prayer with some speculation about unorthodox medical techniques thrown in for good measure.
The creative team behind “Rasputin” embraces the legend that this figure has grown to be over the last century. Allowing him to manifest the supernatural components of historical persona, Grecian and Rossmo find a horrifying potential, and a truly sensitive balance of power, within the title character. We meet Rasputin as the hour of his demise draws near. He seems eerily resigned to his fate, delivering calm and insightful narration throughout the book. Grecian writes Rasputin as a character who possesses both wisdom and refinement; however, his voice is consistently captivating and cordial, truly inviting readers into this world. His candid, straightforward interpretations of the events that are taking place creates a feeling that he cannot be fully human. His lack of emotional connection to something as terrifying as his own death makes him seem to be more monster than man.
Rossmo finds new aesthetic reach in this title. He is able to transition between a near Baroque opulence and reserved, measured minimalism with ease, while constantly retaining his signature as an artist. Within Rasputin’s home the characters and the environment are sumptuous and ornate. There is a level of detail that allows the audience to linger in these scenes, exploring the environment until it feels almost real. Here the characters are diverse and remarkable looking, each telling a story without saying a word. This creates stark contrast to the Siberian landscape featured in the middle of this issue. Rossmo shows impeccable restraint here, using a Kubrickian cleanliness and economy. The barren landscape vibrates with a cruelty and desolation reminiscent of the view from the window of the Overlook Hotel. The kinetic, dynamic energy characteristic of Rossmo’s work remains intact; the characters are all ferociously active and feel intensely realistic as they move around this gorgeous set of environments.
There are scenes of violence in “Rasputin” #1 that thunder with a visceral rage. Bordering on disturbing, Rossmo and Grecian paint a scene showing domestic violence that is truly intense. They allow the event a respectful amount of space, resisting the temptation to force the reader’s reaction with sound effects or dialogue. In the silence, the team finds true emotional resonance. The brutal nature of the violence depicted and the ghastly subject do nothing to compromise this book’s winsomeness. Every detail of the work is visually appealing, and worthy of attention.
Continued belowThe sparse dialogue furthers the feeling of isolation that makes the scenes in Siberia so effective. The reader is dropped into this inhospitable wasteland and left to fend for themselves as they observe the events that take place there. The team’s cohesion is apparent throughout this sequence. They come together to tell a story that relies on images, but is fueled by impeccable narrative intention.
Every member of the creative team is doing truly commendable work. Anchored by Grecian’s strong sense of story, and Rossmo’s ability to translate that through illustration, the other members of the team elevate “Rasputin” to another level of brilliance. Plascencia’s colors are very thoughtful and deliberate. His choices create an ambience unique to each setting. He is able to capture a luminescence when addressing supernatural elements that leaps from the page. The palettes of the phantasmal figures shudder with an otherworldly beauty, because of his work in this issue. Mauer’s lettering helps cement the voice of the narrator early on. Never obtrusive and always indelibly clear, his contribution to the book bears mentioning.
With intensely interesting subject matter, a strong story, deep and well wrought characters and a fantastically talented team firing on all cylinders, this book is a gem. Overwhelmingly successful and immensely intriguing, the story of one of history’s most infamous and mysterious figures is done justice, at every turn. Everything about this book is inspired. Creating a ghastly, ghoulish, gorgeous tale, the team sails into uncharted territory and emerges with the definite and obvious result of having claimed it as their own. I can feel the Russian novelists nodding in recognition of the exquisite melancholy created here, ‘yes,’ they say, ‘you’ve seen our point.’ Frigid and biting as Siberian air, “Rasputin” #1 is an incredibly promising start to a series that is sure to continue to stretch the boundaries of genre, fact and fiction.
Final Verdict: 9.2 – Pull out your ushanka and pour the vodka, we are headed to Russia, and you’re going to want to stay a while.
