Image Comics 2015
Created & Written by Dan Watters
Created & Written by Caspar Wijngaard
Lettered by Jim Campbell
Clay is one heck of an interesting character. An amnesiac detective caught up in more than he’s ready for, perhaps, in a world where gods and gangsters go hand in hand. Sandy his own kind of guardian angel and talker to Loa and all around sassy cool kid keeps her eye on him even after warned to cut him loose. Seems there’s more to our mystery man than is being let on so there’s plenty of story to be revealed. This is a very good, solid, interesting and well written/illustrated book sure to capture the imagination.
So we open with Clay getting ready to watch what went down at his stake out, see last issue for details. As he starts watching his VHS tape of the recorded events things take a very surreal turn of events only going to showcase that Dedande City, I still say New Orleans, is not joking around. I have to say I found one thing utterly fascinating here and that’s the idea that an old god can update himself to a modern society like we see here.
Before we get to that Clay has be put through his paces and be prepared for his meeting and this means a series of television style programs and characters that are out to kill him. The creativity and imagination in the writing and the interior artwork kept me entertained. That Clay was subjected to this and he’s really not happy about it was perfectly done. I mean who wouldn’t be incensed about going through all this before being able to meet the being responsible?
So we get some great characterization from Clay, amnesiac or not he’s the kind of guy that will constantly surprise you with how much you can learn about him through his actions and words.
A Teleshaman whose ancestors drew their power from nature, but that world was long ago quelled by the growth of cities such as this one. I think that evolution shouldn’t stop at animals, humans, plants and such that gods can evolve into something more as well as we see here. To stay relevant and worshiped and used, in this case by his clients employer. Everything about this meeting the two have is the kind of stuff that should interest you and thrill you not to mention make you think.
I’m really impressed with the creativity here, and yes I keep saying that. However when you go through this and you see the Lao that Sandy talks to the Teleshaman and even the whole Max Headroom homage keep you glued to the pages. Casper’s work here is really good and there are times panels have absolutely no backgrounds and others that are detailed for days and it all flows and works together in ways that keep things fresh and new. I never know where he’s going but seeing the television styles he’s able to bring here he’s got mad skills.
This book is more than way cool and how Sandy manages to come to Clay’s rescue well that you need to see. I have to admit that this one got even stronger and more interesting with issue two and if issue three keeps that up there’s no stopping these guys!