“Manifest Destiny” is the latest, and perhaps most vital, entry into the “alternate history” genre that comics like to play around in quite often. It is also one of the most exciting and unheralded new books on the stands.
Written by Chris Dingess
Illustrated by Matthew Roberts
Colored by Owen Gieni
Lettered by Pat BrosseauLewis and Clark uncover a new breed of savage creature with the Louisiana Purchase. No wonder the French gave it up so easily…
I think by this point we all realize that the folk heroes and monumental figures of world history that we all grew up hearing about weren’t quite the pristine paragons of virtue that we were meant to believe. They probably also weren’t the semi-charming bastardly thrill-seekers that we see in “Manifest Destiny”, but certainly the very real (and very major) flaws common to the time period are well-represented here. As if the idea of an alternate history take on Lewis & Clark’s western expedition peppered with a variety of mythological cryptids wasn’t interesting enough, the collateral cruelty of the era of westward expansion is on full display here and often the butt of some pretty decent jokes. Other times, as is the case when they matter-of-factly describe what they once did to a Native American tribe, it’s employed as shock value. It certainly doesn’t leave our “heroes” in a good light, but it does make the book more intriguing on the whole, certainly.
The issue begins with a clinical autopsy of a half-minotaur, half-centaur creature that the crew came across in the previous issue. This is perhaps the finest example of the strength of the creative team at work on “Manifest Destiny.” Dingess provides a very stark and scientific account of the autopsy, wholly entertaining in its ability to convey a creature that we may know from fiction and describe it with anatomy and practical measurements that are more tangible to the reader. Along the way, Lewis’ curiosity towards this discovery is infectious, even in journal form. Roberts renders an accurate approximation of the beast, again with relatable imagery. The flayed-out creature undergoing the thorough examination is presented as detailed and tangible, yet wondrous. Gieni’s colors also aim for realism in this seem and achieve the appropriate approximation. “Manifest Destiny” is a heightened reality with expression in its characters, but lush and rich in detail when appropriate. Even the journal captions provided by letterer Pat Brosseau strike the right feel when crafting the objective examination of the creature.
The issue goes on to further demonstrate the strong dynamic of its main characters: Lewis, the heady yet passive one – Clark, the brash and cocksure leader. They and their crew are given enough motivation for the exploratory efforts they’re privy to, yet Clark’s coldness and Lewis’ willingness to abide all of this makes “Manifest Destiny” a more complex book than it would initially appear. In some ways, this makes it more weird and challenging as a read, which is a positive thing. On the other hand, those cruel moments and off-color jokes are certainly jarring. It’s not clear how Lewis and Clark are supposed to be viewed yet, but that complexity is part of the fun of longform storytelling – it’s just sometimes unsettling in the meantime.
Roberts’ art is a revelation, showing an even greater range than it had in the first issue. Issue #2 is more of a rollicking adventure issue, once things get going after the autopsy scene. With his exacting take on the dissection of the centominotaur behind us, Roberts is allowed to open the world of “Manifest Destiny” up even further, with unexpected occurrence after unexpected occurrence rendered with ingenuity of design. The frontier provides for a lush environment for Roberts’ dynamic and detailed penciling and Gieni’s Earthy colors to play in. Part of the wonder of an exploratory expansion has to be in the new environments and unknown waters, in addition to the fantasy elements that “Manifest Destiny” sprinkles in. The art does a magnificent job of capturing the idea of the unexplored and untarnished frontier.
“Manifest Destiny” is yet another example of some up-and-coming comic book talent with previously low exposure coming together to create something that feels beyond their years. With a concept and execution that stands up against any of the dozens of dynamic creator-owned works already running today, Image Comics’ has another winner on their hands. “Manifest Destiny” is the “next big thing” from a publisher that is constantly releasing the “next big thing.”
Final Verdict: 9.0 – Buy and explore.
