On Sale Jan 29th 2020
Source Point Press 2020
By Les Garner
Upon returning from the makeshift foxhole where her Papa sent her to hide from raiders, Anna finds his tattered body, ripped apart in a manner she recognizes to be the work of creatures he referred to as "hunter-fiends", thrusting her into the position of now having to fend for herself while balancing the lifelong lessons from Papa with her own desire for retribution.
There are many stories that occur during, around and after the Apocalypse though more than a fair share centre around zombies. So that this one being set after the event, whatever it was, happened from the viewpoint of a young woman who was born after the event well it's something different. I like that we don't see what happened, I like that while her Papa told stories about the before time, she didn't pay much attention to it. This way we get to experience this world alongside Anna and it allows Les to really form a connection and bond between the reader and the character. Plus I am not a fan of the over explanation as to why things are what the are instead here's what is and we're moving forward which is fully support.
I like the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through the sequence of events that unfold as well as how the reader learns information is extremely well done. The fact that so much happens to Anna so quickly sets the stage beautifully for what we will see coming down the pike. The old saying “when the going get tough....” is pretty apropos and she's gonna have to learn to toughen up awfully fast. The character development we are seeing is superb as she goes from a young woman dependent on her Papa to being in the world alone, lost and adrift is a great starting point. This way everything she goes through moving forward is what will shape the woman she'll become. The pacing is good and strong with how it takes us through the pages bringing us the twists and turns. All of this naturally works in sync to create the ebb & flow to the book highlighting how well the book is structured.
The interiors here are really rather exciting to see. The linework is extraordinary and how the varying weights are being utilised to bring out the attention to detail is amazing. What I love about Les bringing his vision to life is the fact that he utilises the entire panel in his work. Not only are the clothes very hodgepodge, considering what's available, but the way backgrounds are utilised and how they work with the composition to create depth perception, scale and bring this sense of size and scope to the book. Also I love the way that the ruined buildings are seen here because that is the staple of the backdrop to the entire story. Plus the city becomes a character in it's own right and that's stellar work. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show as beautiful eye for storytelling. I like the colour as well. The way that we see the various hues and tones within the colours utilised to create shading, highlights and shadows is so nicely rendered.
Part of me does wonder why women have to be seen in such revealing clothing where the men don't but it's a part of the culture in some ways. I get the one leg chap but seeing the bottom of her breasts I am not convinced is necessary. Still if I see men's arse-cheeks then perhaps I will change my mind. Regardless this really is well written with a very specific goal, getting to Abraham and of course staying alive in the process. I look forward to watching Anna grow into her new life and remember what she's been taught alongside things she never knew she needed to know.