Alterna Comics 2017
Created, Written & Coloured by Jordan Hart
Illustrated by Emmanuel Xerx Javier
Dennis decides he must fight to reclaim his life. He turns to his best friend, Riccardo, to help develop a plan to kill his Doppelgänger. The two conjure up a solid strategy, but it will force Dennis to be brave, confrontational, and forceful... three characteristics he's never possessed.
I am loving this book! Why because it has that weird science fiction/fantasy feel centred around a man so average that it’s almost startling. Okay so the premise is fantastic and seeing a man who looks exactly like you and takes over your life and then there are consequences of that happening and the whole going mad business because of the whole seeing your exact but him being more ruthless and capable.
We all know it’s the first page that sets the tone for the reader. It really should be eye catching, exciting and grab out attention which the look on Evil Dennis’ face while holding onto his wife yeah that said it all. Emmanuel’s work is extraordinarily revealing without showing anything at all. I mean the angle, the attention to detail in the room, sheets and pajama’s are so well done. That face and it’s expression I really just thought “Oh Shit.”
Jordan does an amazing job here as something so simple as a slice of life moment can turn into such a revealing thing. Both of the Dennis’ get the morning treatment here with Riccardo and its so good to see how one interaction can reveal so much. The -pacing is excellent and since this is a limited series I like how fast it feels without glossing over anything or really leaving anything out that should feel important. The transitions from one segment to the next while has that instantaneous feel it doesn’t feel out of place either. After all there’s no need to show what happens on the drive over unless its going to add to the story.
I do very much so enjoy the characterisation I am seeing here. From both versions of Dennis, Riccardo and even his wife all of them are very distinct individuals and we feel as if we know them. That we can empathise with each of them, well evil Dennis isn’t likeable, and its as if they are friends of ours as we have friends like this in our own lives. This kind of connection was established last issue and it extends even further and stronger this issue. It’s not something many can do at this level which makes it even more impressive.
I have already touched on Emmanuel’s interiors and the way he’s able to use the two Dennis’ the way he does with body language and facial expressions really makes it easy to identify who’s who and so much more. His use of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels is extremely well done. His utilisation of backgrounds as well makes me thrilled. Oh and if there are any doubts regarding his work look at the Doppelgänger card Riccardo has.
So the way that the story keeps unfolding for us with moments that are not expected, those that infused with a kind of dark humour and then there are those that kind make you cheer. I am so impressed that we can get so much emotion out seeing what happens here. At work with Steve who well it’s admit it gets what he deserves while not the nicest thing to do well it was still one hell of a moment. There is this whole normal golly gee kind of thing infused with the drama and thriller aspects of this that make it feel like good Dennis is being asked to do the impossible.
An original take on something supernaturally weird and dark infused with an everyday quality and it shouldn’t work but it better than you’ll ever imagine. Alterna has some of the most interesting storytelling happening and if you aren’t reading this your missing out on something you’ll love!