Ahoy Comics 2019
Written by Mark Russell
Illustrated by Richard Pace
Earth Page Inks by Leonard Kirk
Earth Page Colours by Andy Troy
Lettered by Rob Steen
The book everyone's talking about! When a weirdo stalks and threatens Sunstar's girlfriend, Jesus tries to prevent the superhero from succumbing to rage, but God has other plans! Plus AHOY's customary offerings of illustrated short prose fiction.
The opening here is absolutely crazy stunning in what it presents. From the news report to the group setting where we learn a lot more about who Sunstar is and what he's capable of well it's some really nice stuff. With what we see here and what Mark has decided to reveal it is easy for the reader to become engaged in the story very quickly. I mean my mind went places and totally off script as well when I was seeing certain events unfold. So that I am so thoroughly engaged in Sunstar's life the way that I am well that is among the tell-tale signs of a great writer.
The characterisation in these pages is beyond expectations and the fact that we see so many sides of the characters, I mean Sunstar, Sheila, Jesus and even God, and how Mark manages to make them feel more like three dimensional beings rather than just two-dimensional characters in a comic book is quite a feat. Also I have to admit that there are so many different tongue in cheek moments that pop up in the writing that really not only make me smile but they also just make me appreciate the writing and the way Mark's mind works all the more.
The way that this story is being told and how the book is structured is amazingly well done. How we see the story & pot development and the character development be so integral to each other and the way that we see the pacing carry everything forward at a great clip shows a subtle strength in the writing. Also to see the interaction between Sunstar and Sheila shows us how he thinks and while he is a man he's a bit of a chauvinist and I kind of like that, the honesty of showing him being not necessarily flawed but human if you will. Mark may be showing us this oddly great and fascinating story using some not so traditional characters to tell it but it's pretty damn human through and through.
The interiors here are extremely nice to see. And Richard's vision of Heaven is some of the best of the best that we are seeing and the food court is definitely a wow moment that I kind of want to see more of. The earthly bound story is one where we get to see more of a traditional comic book style art going on. I do think the way we see this tells the story beautifully and the utilisation of the varying weights within the linework to create this attention to detail is extremely well done. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a sensational eye for storytelling. The colour work here too is extremely nice to see. After all the variations in the hues and tones of the colours we see in the shading is delightful.
I am not sure if it's because it's supposed to be Jesus, a mythical being based on a person of note, with this whole one on one chat between the two men but it's one hell of a well written heart to heart, no not Hart to Hart. A lesson to be learned, possibly but would you feel the same way if someone else had said the same words to him? It is an interesting thought for sure and one that I believe that is something which discussions can be centred on.
Ahoy here has not only entertaining stories but ones that engage the readers' in ways you'll never expect. Defy expectations and come aboard as we set sail on the sea of adventure.