Dark Horse Comics 2015
Written by Paul Tobin
Art & Cover by Joe Querio
Colours by Dave Stewart
It’s one thing to talk a good game it’s another to completely deliver, case in point the build up of these Vulpess and the power they possess. This issue is one huge mind-F@$k and it’s incredibly well told by Paul. The dialogue here has always been above par but seriously this issue took me places I hadn’t fully counted on going and in terms of modern day horror would put many movies out now to shame.
The talk between the Witcher and the crew is pretty typical, he warns they aren’t out of the woods yet and the crew is just like eh we’re good things are going our way. Though let’s make fun of the Witcher and yet flee because basically we huff and puff but we’re big cowards nonetheless does make for entertaining reading. More so are the conversations between Geralt and Addario, yes the wee man’s Scottish accent is just fun to read and don’t lie we all try to speak it out loud, because they are not just fun and interesting but educational as well how else would we know to that scared of a Vulpress?
There are moments of sheer brilliance from Joe and Dave too. After the storm that seemed to come out of nowhere making them head for shore, convenient hmm, there’s the shot of the vessel coming in and it’s the first half of page seven that’s just breathtaking. It’s a real standout moment among the rest of what’s being done here.
Here’s where the story really takes on a life of it’s own that the characters are completely unprepared for. You see the Vulpress’s abilities on full display and even Geralt the vaulted Witcher cannot overcome his magics and skills are not good enough to fight through the kind of things that they are seeing here. To be honest once they realize the predicament they are in and know the Vulpress has indeed found them there are some things you begin to notice. As they ship heads for the opposite shore a tree filled with snakes scares the crew senseless. Now i wish seeing these snakes had scared the hell out of me but they lacked the detail and ferociousness needed to really make that impact on me. Just looked like noodles or something on the ships deck at times oh well thank goodness for my imagination.
As they come to the realization of what the Vulpress is and has been doing and where she’s leading them you as a reader begin to understand the scope of power in this world and that anything wronged will seek revenge upon those guilty in the worst possible manner whether all are guilty or not. Paul’s writing is phenomenal and infused with humor at the just the right moments and usually from Addario thankfully. Also i’m incredibly impressed with the fact that while we’re in issue two and important information has been revealed it’s still just the beginning of what’s happening. This ship, her crew and passengers are only starting to face the dangers and horrors that lay ahead.
If Sleepy Hollow and Grimm can be as successful as they are then airing this as a summer 13 episode run because bringing this to life would the summer’s biggest hit!