Titan Comics 2017
Story Created & Written by Andi Ewington
Illustrated by Simon Coleby
Coloured by Len O’Grady
Lettered by Jim Campbell
We were introduced to Bella and this new post apocalyptic world last issue and by the time the issue ended she was encountering a stranger and that’s where pick things up. I like what Andi’s been doing here because he quickly showed us a time before and then hit us with the reality of the now without feeling it necessary to muck about with the in-between. It leaves material open for exploration at some other point in time.
So while scrounging for something in the store, where Bella finds some old candy bars with one heck of a name on em, she meets Ryan. He’s on his own, lost his family and it looks like now neither is alone, for the time being. I’ve a feeling in this time and place everything is subjective to changing on the proverbial dime. Also Ryan gives us a clue as to who else might be out and about right now and from my understanding you don’t wanna run into them.
I am such a fanboy when I see Simon’s interior artwork! His linework is just so clean and tight. Along with Len they manage to create this mood, tone and feel that captures the world and leaves you with a greater impression of how life is. Thanks to the use of backgrounds here we see so much desolation and it gives off that feeling that goes along with their facial expressions and body language which furthers their characterisation. The way page layouts are utilised with their angles and perspective and expertly done and controls the flow of the story nicely.
With the Mad Max franchise or the Death Race movie it’s easy to see our love for this kind of post apocalyptic storytelling. Heck even the latest Wacky Racers from DC had this kind of feel to it. It’s an easy way for us to stretch our imaginations, allow for the craziness and bloodthirsty seeking thrill ride that would otherwise be frowned upon. That this story comes from a gaming module shouldn’t come as a surprise, though I am a little bit since I hadn’t realised rpg games had this much variety in them. Still it keeps proving to me that rpg’s are a great source of storytelling entertainment. Also it makes me want to try it out and play for myself.
What Andi does with the story is really nice to see. It’s structure, pacing and story development are strong and the characterisation keeps us wanting to know these characters better. The way this world is being presented to us is smartly done and in ways that leave some to the imagination while hints are given to flesh them out in our minds. That at it’s core is nothing more than a survival of the fittest, living by your wits, smarts and pure luck it’s a great way to look at something to make you feel thankful it isn’t your life.
Titan keeps bringing us these amazing stories from pre-established franchises from creators who have not just the talent but the skill, desire and passion to make them more than they were.