Action Lab Danger Zone 2016
Written by Damon Clark
Illustrated by Alyzia Zherno
Edited & Lettered by Zen
Christian has found his place with his new Circle of friends, but he soon finds out not everyone is what they seem. He will perform his first ritual and his first kill, and now he wants out!
Well last issue’s introduction to the story was very well done and this issue continues to bring us Christian’s story. Damon has structured this extremely well and the pacing is excellent. We see him being brought into the fold of his friends circle while having no idea who these kids are or what they are about. It’s like leaping before you look, you’re so happy to have found new friends you don’t realise something is wrong till it’s too late.
This issue really digs deep into these kids and what they are into and by extension what Christian has gotten himself into. While we don’t see as much of his dad this issue or why they’ve moved here we do see a lot of stuff. Back in that underground lair they took Christian to last issue the kids take him and complete their circle. Numbers are important when it comes to magic, there is power in certain numbers and in some rituals there need to be a certain number of people involved. We see that demonstrated without having to have that explained here nicely by Damon. Unfortunately for Christian it comes at his expense but it’s watching him struggle with what’s happening that really helps to define his character and hopefully find his inner strength.
I think what Damon is doing really well here is telling this story so that as a reader we see what’s happening but are still learning alongside Christian so that we may have a better understanding than him we’re still left in that same state of wonder. Also it will be interesting to see how the character development continues from here on out as the kids have performed their ritual and are messing with forces they know nothing about and that will consume them. There’s a part of me that thinks Christian is lucky because as a somewhat willing participant in this without full knowledge he can resist it best.
The interiors here are marvelous! I love the whole kind of watercolour painted feel that we get at times. The use of shadow people are amazing to see. With an already wonderfully unique style to see that taken to an extreme thanks events that take place well it really makes this so wonderfully creepy. Alyzia brings this to life so nicely and the tone, mood and feel we get off the pages is in perfect sync with the story itself.
While I didn’t really know what to expect from this series the first issue gave us an impression. This issue takes that twists it into something far darker and more sinister and yet there’s a small glimmer of hope that we can latch onto. From one page to the next that we haven’t any real clue as to what game those kids are playing or what they’ve brought Christian into makes this a crazy ride. Unexpected, creepy and full of life lessons we should all be learning take a walk through the darker side of life alongside Christian as he struggles to understand life.