Aftershock Comics 2017
Created, Written & Lettered by John Layman
Created & Illustrated by Sam Kieth
Coloured by Ronda Pattison
There’s this part of me that can’t get enough of this because of what it does to my mind. It takes me back to my youth and reminds of Shel Silverstein or Ellen Raskin (Who Said Sue Said Whoo!) and most notably the very personal Why Was I Adopted by Carole Livingston. Yes the story is much more advanced and intriguing but it’s what Sam does on the interiors here that bring me back to those days. When we were more innocent, carefree and full of life, zest, verve and adventure! Before we were all much too cynical and Holly Hobby was a mainstay for young girls there’s so much here to bring you back to this simpler time. I find myself mesmerised by this whole affair and never wanting to see it end.
To John’s credit Ellis the Egret is a character that very much fits into that realm of my past. One who shouldn’t talk or eat paintings but is Eleanor’s pet, companion and confidant as she goes from caper to caper. Speaking of which we do learn something about that this issue and it’s just enough that we are left wondering why and have that whole “I gotta come back to find out” about it. The way this is written I can never tell if the animal companion, and it seems every character in this book has one, is metaphor for something or just because animal companions are that cool. It’s just one of those things that floats around in your head that fascinates.
So what we see Eleanor and Ellis up to this issue is quite funny actually as they perform a feat of Daring Doo. Then to go to Detective Belanger after his opening scene it’s quite something different. Can he have been misled by a pretty face and feeling of butterflies in his stomach so that he overlooked her and still questions her role in this? Does he resign himself that she’s involved and he must do something about it, that conflict within himself is nicely done. As are the developments in the case as a result of his actions.
Sam needs to win all the awards next year for this book. The creativity, imagination and ambiance he brings to the work here is astonishing to put it mildly. That there’s this wondrous innocence to the work and it evokes the right note of memories in people such as myself while still coming off as completely modern and now makes it literally a work of art. Plus the use of page layouts through their angles and perspective are superb. The animals in the zoo are amazing in their detail and representation and balance the rest of the interpretation beautifully.
This book has the feel of classic literature where stories were told in the seventies with the kind of illustrations that not only made careers but made legends. With the state of the world today never before have we needed to see and experience this kind of work more. There are moments in this that should be seen to be experienced and to watch it all unfold is one of the best things you can do.
Once again reading is an experience to remember thanks to these guys and I wouldn’t have it any other way!