Hack/Slash Resurrection #3
Image Comics 2017
Written by Tini Howard
Illustrated by Celor
Coloured by K. Michael Russell
Lettered by Crank!


     With the return of an old friend, Cassie barely has time to figure out who is sending proto-slasher prisoners after her campers or to get busy with a hot camp counsellor. Barely.

     I think the story Tini is putting forth here is fabulous. The whole idea of Cassie being a camp counsellor and teaching kids how to kill slashers well it just takes the idea of Sleepaway Camp to a whole new level. Actually it’s pretty spot on stereotypically genius in my humble opinion. Well I don’t believe in coincidences and that her employer is a woman who knew her mother and about what she did while there is also a mad scientist who keeps making and sending zombies out into the woods all of this makes Ash vs the Evil Dead look tame by comparison.

     So I guess we should have seen this coming in this book I mean it’s got resurrection in the damn title after all. Still while I’m kind of thrilled by the idea it still feels cliché and all too wrong to happen so quickly. So on the other hand she’s got a new foe that’s all too human in the mad scientist who not only makes zombies, he’s crowdsourced by the way, but brought him back from the dead. So she can hate and leave him alone for now because she’s conflicted.

     I really do like this story Tini knows her way around structuring a book giving it that ebb & flow it needs to advance the story, throw in a little action and use characterisation to add that extra oomph to the proceedings. Then of course she’s a nice finger on the pulse of Cassie’s character and the supporting cast around her. The camp and those in it are new creations so that’s a nice playground already and to see Cassie ready to give it up to Laurie well while the lesbian chic is cute I hope Cassie is willing to fall for anyone who strikes her fancy.

     I’m not happy with Celor and there are things I cannot get over or forgive. The lack of anatomy in what we see is horrendous and don’t anyone dare tell me it’s his style. Laurie’s books are totally going in different directions in one panel, the way backs, legs or walking on Barbie feet make me cringe. The light source that changes on a single face on in a pair of glasses no no no. The overly simple middle school approach to art just does this no justice whatsoever. Angles and perspective are off more than they are on and the startling lack of backgrounds when the work is so simple, amateur and definitely not something that took time is unforgivable. Nothing about the interiors here is worth the price of admission.

     I love the story too, with Laurie (Halloween much) being a bad girl show shotguns smoke into Cassie’s mouth, oh it’s not cigarette smoke either, and trying to and succeeding in seducing her is some great moments it’s really the setting, the boat load of zombies roaming around and the mad scientist who is seemingly hell-bent on either making her work with him or at least for him whether she likes it or not.

     The camp, the kids learning to defend themselves and kill things that go bump in the night should actually happen. The kids are pseudo learning and I think Cassie needs to take em into the woods where the zombies dwell and teach to eliminate the undead flesh eating monsters. Let’s keep the romance on the back-burner and let the focus be on what she does best shall we.

     The story is fun, entertaining and ironically perfect, however the interiors make this one of those I find it hard to say is worth the price on the cover. The choice is yours and if you find the art appeals to you then by all means enjoy!

Rugrats #3
Kaboom! Boom! Studios 2017
Written by Box Brown
Pencilled by Lisa DuBois
Inked by Carolyn Nowak
Coloured by Eleonora Bruni
Lettered by Jim Campbell


     Last issue the babies were wondering how their parents were able to know about everything that was going on. They discovered the eyes and Tommy even figured out how to disable it. Thinking that he had it all under control we open up this issue with Tommy enjoying the day so far. Alright so one of the babies, or Tommy’s, biggest supporter is his Grandpa who doesn’t a new phone and as he takes Tommy to Chuckie’s we see how he sees the world from an older gentleman’s point of view.

     That Box is willing and able to really cut loose with this kind of look at technology, how it’s taken over some lives and we see how people no longer have that human contact factor. Kids will read this and see it as funny and silly and adults will read this and either laugh or question their own use of technology in raising children. Let’s hope it’s the latter because honestly as a society we are becoming less social and more technology based so we rarely interact with others and when we do no one seems to remember what manners are.

     So over at Chuckie’s the boys plot and play and try to figure out how the bird in the backyard can be shut down. I love the structure of the book I mean how Box creates this ebb & flow so that he’s able to incorporate all the characters in a way that makes sense is excellent. Also the fact that he is so gosh darn good at making this literally as much fun for young readers as it is for older readers. Then of course there is ability to write their personalities in a way that come straight from the cartoon series. While they were All Growed Up wasn’t bad it wasn’t Rugrats and the babies are where the fun's at for real.

     Personally I don’t think we need translators to understand some the words they use any rational human being of any age should understand what a compooper is. Or a mime reader for that matter it’s too cute to see and say the words they use because that’s what it sounds like to them. Heck their interpretations of some words are a reason all their own to read the book. However it’s really because of their actions, reactions, see intelligence, and the way they can use their imagination to literally be anyone/thing or have whatever come so fully to life for them.

     For some reason that I can’t seem to fathom it just doesn’t seem, to me, that Lisa can draw Tommy. It shouldn’t be that hard but he is the only one of them that doesn’t feel right to me and I can’t explain it but sometimes it’s the eyes, sometimes the shape of his head there is just something about it that is off. Everyone else is so spot on and that is wonderful to see and yet makes me think why not Tommy? So the use of page layouts and the use of angles and perspective in the panels show off a nice eye for storytelling. Backgrounds I don’t expect much from them because of the nature of the series but when they are used I love it. The creativity and imagination we see is perfect for what it is.

     So while everything seems to work out in the end, it’s a story after all, that this is the reality we live in shouldn’t go unnoticed. I love Grandpa and what he did here for Tommy which you’ll have to read to understand. The escapism that this represents is what made the cartoon a success and these folks recreate that here beautifully.

Eugenic #3
Boom! Studios 2017
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Eryk Donovan
Coloured by Dee Cunniffe
Lettered by Jim Campbell


     Is history bound to repeat itself? At this stage in the story Numanity has completely taken over and humanity wiped out, the last human died 80 years ago, and one man strives to get people to recognise and remember what humans had and were and how the Eugenics programme is not something to celebrate like the upcoming Eugenesis Day. Only one man, Cyrus, longs for his human roots, listens to human music and is the museum head for Human Remembrance Pjojeckt.

     I really liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Cyrus is an interesting character and the way that James takes us through the last two issues and into this one is amazing well done. There is a great sense of sadness that comes from the writing too and you feel it from Cyrus in ways that I thought I’d never experience. The way James is able to write him, his characterisation and then to see Eryk bring that to life, in a face that isn’t “normal” has a profound effect upon the reader.

     I like that Cyrus runs that museum too because it not only has the story of humans but it also has the real story behind Eugenics. How one man wanted to change the world and his creations grew to dominate the landscape and eventually killed off the species of their creator. There really is something bloody well brilliant about the whole thing which goes beyond the idea which lingers in the readers mind and the thoughts, the realisations and the idea of natural selection all come into play. So yeah as usual James is able to make this the kind of story that engages the reader in multiple ways.

     I do like Eryk’s eye for storytelling. He is able to utilise page layouts and the way we see angles and perspective in the panels extremely well. I kind of like the fact that these Numan’s are more cartoon like in appearance while the human visages we see are well more in line with reality I don’t know if that makes sense but the difference is interesting to me. I think the difference kind of illustrates that numanity is less diversified and can be seen in a less threatening way even if the human DNA at their core leads them to conquer the planet so only their kind remain.

     So a little girl wanders into Cyrus’ museum and has no idea what humans are. We begin to see that her visit and what she knows of humanity breaks his heart. Numan has completely eradicated the presence and importance of the race that ruled the planet before them, that gave birth to their race and whose DNA they still hold inside them. So I ask again is history doomed to repeat itself? How can it not when they have no true knowledge of how they came to be and then can’t see how they share that trait of conquer and the desire to be the only race on the planet.

     James brings some interesting points of view to light here. They aren’t however in the spotlight directly but almost lurking beneath the surface and can be seen as the story goes onward. The young lady, Mary Beth, made me sad and reminds me of the importance of education. It has to be complete and not pick and choose, which is pretty American way of teaching, or you can’t get the whole accurate picture. She has no idea how her people came to be except what she’s been told to blindly accept and yes I find that incredibly sad.

     James and Eryk created a fascinating new lifeform here and like a virus, or humanity, it grew and spread exponentially until there was nothing left but them. I wouldn’t mind seeing more and learning more about the time in-between issues. Fascination is a double edged sword you want to experience it and then you don’t want it to end because there’s always more to see and learn. This was an extremely well done story.

Eternity #3
Valiant Entertainment 2017
Written by Matt Kindt
Pencilled by Trevor Hairsine
Inked by Ryan Winn
Lettered by David Baron


     To the ends of eternity! In a realm beyond the limits of human perception, a group of impossibly powerful beings have laid claim to a human child… Now, to save their son, Abram Adams – the god-like being known as Divinity – and his comrade turned lover, Myshka, must finally reconcile their humanity with the unreal abilities conferred upon them…and journey into the source of their power… Where they will bear witness to the truth of their purpose…and their role in the cosmic reckoning that is to come…

     I’m a little surprised by this issue. I will say the fight in the Unknown continues as we open this issue and it unfolds in ways that I wasn’t quite expecting. The narration and illustration of the fight tells you pretty everything you need to know and I loved it! Still Abram did his best not to take part in the fight even when he was attacked. Myshka however is a woman of emotion and violence who relishes in the fight, my opinion no one else’s.

     While the natives of the Unknown need their child to fulfil it’s destiny his parents has have other ideas. Yet when Abram is taken by surprise and out of the fight suddenly the book takes a decidedly different turn of events. Here we get the ever evolving or ongoing backstory of Abram growing up. There is a lot going on there too, I mean an orphaned black baby in Russia being taken in by a white couple who did it out of duty and not out of love explains some. The rules they imposed upon him and yet in way rewarded him with as well shaped who he’d become so while it was his life and he knew no better it wasn’t entirely terrible.

     This look into the past however ties into the present and how Abram behaves, not that but how he sees and interprets things. Matt as a storyteller is amazing to me that he can show us that much of the past and have it mean something that relates so cerebrally and have be understood by different people in different ways but coming to the near-same conclusion is extremely well done and hard to do. So the way the book is structured, the ebb & flow of how dialogue and action are used to dispense information is great to see.

     Trevor lays down some really nice linework that the team finishes off extremely well. I like the way we see pages laid out and the use of angles and perspective in the panels. The attention to detail in everything we see, including the backgrounds here, show a beautiful eye for storytelling. The creativity and imagination that we see in all the characters around the issue whether they be imaginations of or are the denizens of the Unknown.

     Part of me is still surprised that by taking the child they didn’t expect his parents to come looking for him. Are the Unknown incapable of reproducing? Did they come into being full grown? The new Observer would have to come from powerful parents though I have no idea how the last one was chosen and how long he served. Regardless I still find it somewhat incredulous that they hadn’t anticipated this development. Or if they had and all that’s happening is by design well I find that a hard pill to swallow as well.

     The characterisation here really is some darn good golly miss molly stuff. I see opposites attract in our star-crossed lovers. Even if they seem cold and distant those who have the child and the other’s who live in the Unknown all have very distinct personalities. While at times it’s hard to tell who’s right and who’s wrong that’s pretty every day of real life.

     Bold, daring and full character this is why Valiant is more popular today than its ever before!

God Complex #03
Top Cow Productions 2017
Written by Paul Jenkins
Illustrated by Hendry Prasetya
Coloured by Jessica Kholinne
Lettered by Jaka Ady


     Confronted on one side by revolutionaries and coerced into service by the Rulers on the other—Seneca walks the digital city of Delphi in search of clues. But when the leads dry up, he is forced into visiting the one place he had sworn he would never return to: the Church of the Trinity, the very place he is investigating. There is no one to trust. There is nowhere to escape. There is nothing for him but the upheaval of all he has ever known.

     I am really enjoying this story and the way it says that regardless of the religion you follow you’ll be required to either fully commit or be the enemy. Apollo is a manipulating son of a bitch and the more that Seneca is exposed to all this the more he’s coming to realise that perhaps he and his life are being used in ways that have taken away his free will. At least I hope he’s starting to see that because I certainly do.

     The way Paul is telling this story is pretty damn fantastic. The way the book is structured so we learn a thing or two, there and everywhere is nicely done. The ebb & flow feels right and has this incredible ease to it that lets you get caught up in it before you realise it’s happened. Then there is the characterisation which is stellar. I like seeing the detective in Seneca being used as he processes information. He really is in the precarious place where thanks to technology Apollo knows pretty much his every move and he has to work within his conscience without letting it show that he’s conflicted. I’m not sure if this is what Paul’s doing but it is what appears to me.

     I am a fan on Hendry’s I have been since I first saw his work. He has this absolutely fabulous eye for storytelling and the attention to detail he brings to the page is pretty much perfection. The way he utilises page layouts as seen through the angles and perspective in panels is another great example of his ability to tell the story. Then there are the little things, the lollipop and when we see the city outside the window of his apartment show how important using backgrounds can be to enhance a story and give the reader perspective.

     So there are multiple parts to this story that makes a little more unique than what we are used to seeing these days. There’s the whole deal with Seneca’s faith, past, present and future after learning so much here. The Trinity Church and the Greek Gods vying for the attention and souls of it’s constituents in ways that we all too often see. The “resistance” or freedom fighters depending on the point of view. All of these factions are pulling at him in different ways and that is among some of the more interesting things we see.

     This is also a story where the interiors are as important to the storytelling as the words and that they work in such concert with one another gives the book a feel like it’s on a whole other level. I mean hell on earth the way we see them, Apollo and Seneca, in the stream feels like something out of a video game with the swirling lights, Jessica has really outdone herself with this series.

     I like Apollo’s veiled threats and insinuations that he knows more about what Seneca is up to and where he is at all times. I’m thoroughly intrigued by the notion of Apollo and I’m dying to see what lies beneath the mask. Paul manages to weave an astronomical story here with multiple parts all moving at the same time, connecting to each other while remaining separate as well.

     Top Cow is home to some of the most unusual, familiar and outstanding storytelling on stands these days and they just keep pushing the envelope causing everyone else to catch up.

Plague #3
Markosia Comics 2017
Written by Dennis MaGee Fallon & Jason Palmatier
Illustrated by Zach Brunner
Lettered by Dave Sharpe


     Our heroes are pursued through the English Channel after Moray calls on the power of the Ark of the Covenant to spread pestilence across England. Meanwhile, in the cold North Sea, ancient magic awakens the legendary Kraken, forcing the selkies of Iceland to come to Robb's aid. But it's “out of the frying pan and into the fire" when old feuds reawaken between Tegg, a Scottish spirit warrior, and the trolls of Norway - it's a fight to the death in the Nordic underworld!

     This is one of those series that you forget about until it comes out and then seeing that first page everything rushes back to you. Then suddenly you are back in this age where man rules, well correction the Church rules, and the creatures of myth are being systematically wiped out. The Plague that the Church has unleashed to cleanse the Earth of all non-believers at least that’s how it looks to me. Only no on counted on two elves and Robb to be on the run together throwing a monkey wrench into the plans. Moray a diligent and devout man of the church who’s mission is one he will not waver from is a fanatic in the worst possible way of the word.

     Should the Church ever get the real Ark of the Covenant I could see them trying to use it in this exact way. While that’s not something that realistically could happen the thought of it is enough to send the mind reeling. The guys have really crafted something here that while based in a version of reality is also fraught with the kind of danger that makes for good copy. This is a world we could see how the supernatural creatures were extinguished by an entity afraid of being disproved. It’s a wonderful look at something real and fantasy at the same time.

     Zach’s work on the interiors here is superb! His style appears to effortlessly flow across the pages and panels. The use of angles and perspective here are marvellous to see and along with the page layouts really showcase a wonderfully strong eye for storytelling. Then there is the use of backgrounds which are simple yet powerful and do much to expand the way we see this story. Plus there is a creativity and imagination on display in bringing the fantastical to life which blows me away and that full page with the Kraken busting up a ship yeah beautiful, stunning and a complete and utter wow moment that makes you appreciate the work he produces.

     As their journey takes them further inland and they must contend with the other races of myth things continue to be perilous for our weary travellers. With the Selkie’s not wanting to leave the oceans and claiming the war they are fighting is not one that they feel they should be concerned with the trio moves ever forward.

     The story’s structure is so nice to see, the ebb & flow and the transitions from location to location is incredibly smooth. There is an ease to the way the story reads and that’s very important to our enjoyment of the events unfolding. It also allows for some amazing characterisation and as a reader this is when we begin to wonder when Tegg is going to accept Robb as a person, friend and ally. Tegg’s mistrust of him and his kind is understandable but then the lesson to be learned here is that there are good and bad people regardless of where they come from and who they are.

     There is such wonderful and strong storytelling going on here. This is what the magic of storytelling is capable of doing, entertaining and teaching or reminding us what we’ve always known. It takes all kinds of folks to make the world a wondrous place.

Rasputin the Voice of the Dragon #3
Dark Horse Comics 2017
Written by Mike Mignola & Chris Roberson
Illustrated by Christopher Mitten
Coloured by Dave Stewart
Lettered by Clem Robins


     Well the chase has led to occupied Paris and we open with our first look at what has become of the ghost of Albert Mayhew. It would seem that Albert is settling into his new body just fine as he makes demands, see requests, of his captors in return for his cooperation. Oh I do so like what we are seeing here it’s got that right amount of German righteousness and that British sense of entitlement to go against each other in ways that sum up the war.

     I have been impressed with the writing so far and it just continues here. There’s a certain amount of scepticism, suspending disbelief as well as knowing that Hitler and certain of inner cabal were obsessed with the occult. The boys manage to get all this into a working story where things happen and you don’t think twice you are just along for the ride. This is the kind of stuff that make the feature cinema we crave and the world we want to live in.

     Professor Bruttenholm finds himself parachuting into France alone and meets his contact. I was thrilled by the appearance of this man as I found his last adventure to be oh so much fun! Not ironically this very creative team did that book too so woohoo. Still I like that the Hellboy Universe is able to keep expanding and finding ways to interact like this. There’s enough creepy in this world for them to explore without relying upon the big red guy. So I am all for more of these types of limited series.

     The dialogue between Trevor and Sandhu is clever, fun and revealing as the younger man presumes too much and must be set straight. This is characterisation at its finest and I have to say it’s far cry from the man Trevor will grow up to be. In the meantime it’s nice to see him in his more formative years as he gains the knowledge and experience that will be required of him later in life. This brash young man is really is more of a know-it-all rather than an experienced man of action, be it in the field or with the occult, and I’ve taken more of a liking to him than I have before.

     Christopher and Dave really do some fin work on the interiors here. The use of page layouts through their use of angles and perspective in the panels are marvellously done. The use of backgrounds and backdrops are great when it comes to expanding the mood, tone and feel of what we see. Then the creativity and imagination this time around in the use of Kroenen’s creations has that whole Frankenstein vibe to them that works extremely well here. This is the kind of work that is synonymous with the franchise and with the hairdo’s clothes and everything else we see it’s just a huge treat.

     So as things progress here and the story starts taking that spy turn so it feels very Mission Impossible takes the genre mashing to a whole new level. With Trevor learning about Sandhu’s backstory and the adventures he’s been on and taking on a mentor role also serves it’s purpose which seems to be getting him into the thick of things. Letting him know “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

     This franchise perhaps more than any other is perhaps one of the most interesting and diverse around. Which is why these will always remain some of the most fun and interesting reads on stands today.

Imaginary Fiends #02
Vertigo Comics 2017
Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Stephen Molnar
Coloured by Quinton Winter
Lettered by Carlos M. Mangual


     Melba is assigned to her first case, investigating a series of child disappearances in rural Georgia. As Melba and Agent Crockett uncover clues about the horror gripping the residents, Melba must resist both the temptation to escape into the real world after spending seven years locked up and the terrible appetite of the newly unleashed Polly Peachpit, Melba’s own personal psychic parasite—a massive spider-human only Melba can see, but is far from imaginary.

     There was a lot to live up to after the debut issue that’s for sure. So the short answer version is Yes! However we aren’t here for the short version are we? Nope I hope not but I will say I couldn’t be any happier that DC has decided once again to let the Vertigo line of books go right on to the dark side and let stories that once proliferated the stands come back. With so many different Imprints out there from DC right now it’s nice to see Vertigo emerge with some strong books.

     While the premise is strong and Melba has her own fiend which is why she was tagged to be an Agent the real mystery for me is Agent Crockett. If he cannot see the fiends then how can lead a department where they are essential to the work? What would motivate such a man to do this job in the first place? While Tim is short on answers for us he does start to give us some insight and I have to admit he’s a very intriguing man.

     Tim has an extremely interesting mind and the way he’s able to structure a book is simply amazing. I love the ebb & flow here from the way we see the detective work and the supernatural stuff woven in makes it feel so natural. It feels like this is being done in the vein of X-Files but without aliens or UFO’s but with the Supernatural instead. That’s a close a comparison as I can get to and that’s mainly because of all the Agent connection.

     So the case they are working on is a child abduction case and I’m guessing what will be a temporary stay in this town. Which is kind of shame after meeting Loretta her son Omari and August the maid. Still I do like how the case is unfolding and we see the importance of the roles both Melba and Crockett will be playing. He sees it one way and is very quick to call it an IMP case in a way that’s wrong and this is where Melba comes in to correct him and set them on a different, possibly right, path. Their dynamic is new and in the feeling each other out stage but from what’s being developed it’s incredibly solid.

     I am a big fan of Stephen’s work here. The attention to detail that we’re seeing here is spectacular and that we see the rain on the window during the storm is really one of those little touches that make it stand out. There’s a creativity and imagination on display here that’s marvellous to see and the come in the form of the fiends but also in the use of page layouts and the angles and perspective in the panels. There’s such a great eye for storytelling here and it walks a fine line between classic horror and modern day thriller. I cannot believe the attention to detail here I know I'm repeating myself but seriously the backgrounds in play here just can’t get any better.

     With the way that the story unfolds delivering the story, plot advancement and yes the all important characterisation that is present here makes this a remarkable series indeed. I think this is the kind and level of storytelling that leaves you with a the best of impressions.

Void Trip #02
Image Comics 2017
Written by Ryan O’Sullivan
Illustrated by Plaid Klaus
Lettered by Aditya Bidikar


     With their ship's AI now activated, our space hobos finally have the roadmap to the promised land of Euphoria. But what use is a roadmap to those who believe the point of a story is the journey, not the destination?

     Seriously I think there are times I though I need to be stoned off my mind to understand what was going on. Kudos to Ryan for that too and I doubt he was when he wrote this but to fully get into her state of being and slight what I see as addiction to frooty well damn that’s some intense and well conceived writing or characterisation. Also I kind of think it’s funny that half the time I keep she’s a he from the outlook to the way she acts it’s all just dude and dudette to me and that in itself is an aspect I’m not sure was intended but I will wholeheartedly say it adds a certain something to all this.

     There’s a certain amount of fun that comes with the hallucinations that we see here. Not only is it a great form of characterisation but it allows the guys here to really kind of unleash. The creativity here is marvellous to experience as the look into the mind of someone searching for answers and having something of a crisis of conscience. Ana becomes more complicated and interesting with these visions she’s having. They are well done in getting the reader to see there’s more to her than meets the eye and while she’s an addict to the Froot it actually makes that addiction understandable. So suddenly she becomes someone we can relate to and that’s huge.

     So the guy, thing, robot, whatever he is has found where they were and is hot on their trail. This character too is kind of beyond out there and that huge (spoiler) hole in his chest and he’s walking, talking and killing well damn! This has two effects upon me, one I want to know more about what the hell he is and two well it keeps Ryan’s writing moving to a new level of interest and wonder. Then there’s Ralph and yes more alien species like him please I mean it’s like Charlie the Owl in space and that I want more of!

     Oh Plaid you have a kind of genius of your own when bringing this to life. The attention to detail is really nice and while there are plenty of opportunities for more backgrounds to be in use the characters phew they are phenomenal. You can’t escape the creativity and imagination we see in the alien races we encounter and they make this so much larger in scope. Then there are the vision or hallucinations that are seen in a different way and let the reader know what’s happening. The use of page layouts with the angles and perspective seen in the panels show off a nice eye for storytelling. Cars in space and robot speeding cops give this a more tongue in cheek humour to this and it balances out things better than I would have expected.

     Well with the A.I. back online and now the ship more easily traceable things should heat up on the whole running for our lives front. Though if what we get to see this issue that’s never really a problem as the pair keep running around the universe finding themselves in predicaments. I think that its fun, entertaining and different than you’d expect and this is something of a huge draw for me. I had no idea what was going to be happening here and yet here I now sit transfixed by their misadventures.

     I’d almost go as far as saying that this has shades of Too Wong Fu.. and Bill & Ted which are blended to make this one of those rare entities that once you start it you won’t ever stop till it’s done.

Long Lost #2
Scout Comics 2017
Written by Matthew Erman
Illustrated by Lisa Sterle


     Stranger Things meets Ghost World in Long Lost. Piper and Frances reunite only to confront the horrible and strange creature stalking them. What happens next sets them on a journey back to their home of Hazel Patch in the hopes of uncovering the bizarre circumstances surrounding their mother... but they must deal with each other first.

     This issue opens up with two girls wandering through the woods. The hear a rustling in the brush and are frightened then wham that black mass in the house has coalesced into the form of a person standing behind Piper. It’s pretty effective in creating some nice drama and creepy horror moment. Only apparently in broad daylight so that alone should be even more unsettling if one thinks about it.

     This encounter has some really weird moments to it including the fact that Pockets collar is seen. Aww poor Pockets that lil guy was awfully cute and I hope he isn’t dead. Still that the girls have a conversation with this being, I’m saying a woman, who is there to cordially invite them to the 55th Birthday of June Laurent well it just keeps getting more and more strange. I like Piper’s response as she is being pretty single minded in her line of questioning. Until Frances takes some action.

     Matthew’s characterisation here is really nice to see and it leaves us with questions that we want to see answered. He does a great job in getting the reader invested in the characters so that we can identify them among those we consider family. The way the book is structured could use a few tweaks however. The transition between meeting the mysterious person to seeing them on the road is a little choppy. It could have used some discussion about whether or not they should go and all that jazz. I would’ve liked to seen that discussion/argument which led them to get in the car, I think that was a lost moment for more character development.

     Lisa’s work here is growing on me immensely. I love her eye for storytelling with the way she uses page layouts then the angles and perspective we see in the panels. The black & white work really shows some nice attention to detail at times and at others the brush strokes leave it with more of a feeling than a certainty and the distinction is really nice. That first page in the car driving through the mountains is a perfect example of what I'm talking about here. I do wish that kind of attention would appear in the sisters however. Though vastly different its the eyes that make them sisters.

     So the car ride is great and the transition to then end of the issue is handled extremely well. While we may not get to hear or see what happened between them in the past we see get to see Frances say “I want to be able to call my sister my friend.” that is among some of the most honest, raw and painful things to say and here, it’s like myself and my sister as we are estranged from each other. To be able to tap into such raw emotion like he does make Matthew one of those writers to keep your eye on.

     Through a series of events the girls end up back in their home town of Hazel Patch. Behind them would be some of the very same woodlands that we see in the opening and again it’s inhabited by someone only we can see. This is the kind of work where circumstances and coincidences, of which there are none, leave them stranded. With tensions between the sisters already high this doesn’t help matters any. Oh it should be interesting to see what happens next issue when we get to see what happens next.

     Charming, creepy and all too familiar at times this is a good little series and keeps the fact that Scout Comics continues to put out some quality books.