Aspen Comics 2018
Created & Written by J.T. Krul & Vince Hernandez
Illustrated by Romina Moranelli
Colours by Enrica Eren Angiolini
Flats by Cassandra Peirano & Sheena Marie B. Bofill
Lettered by Dezi Sienty
Izarik and his frightening Akolouth tighten their noose on the kingdom in search for Remi and like-minded heretics. And their pressure may lead to someone close to Remi revealing her whereabouts! However, Remi is faced with an even deadlier current predicament, as the mysterious creatures she discovered launch a full scale attack on her and her new ally, Elgrove!
I keep getting more and more impressed with this book with each new issue. The boys have a great history when it comes to writing some great stories so it’s only natural to enjoy this one but this is a different kind of story from what I am used to seeing from them. It also doesn’t hurt that things that happen in this story keep getting weirder and weirder while still reminding us of how religion can be used as a force for controlling a populace. The Crusades and other events could have turned Europe into a state controlled by the Pope and that’s a scary thought all of it’s own.
The way this book is structured is very well done indeed. I like that we are seeing more of Remi as a little girl learning from her father. The lessons of her childhood served her well into adulthood and that is something we get to see in these pages. I love that the boys pick and choose which moments to show us and how they relate to what she is experiencing in the present. Sometimes we see writers trying to do it and it feels forced like it was something that they HAD to do whereas he it is more natural like it was something they wanted us to see. This kind of understanding is among the reasons why I love reading their work.
The characterisation that we see here is pretty marvellous. I love seeing her scared as a girl compared to now where she’s taking charge and trying to help Elgrove escape their current encounter with this strange beast. So Remi has been and continues to be fleshed out beautifully the real surprise for me is the evolution of Elgrove’s character. His role in this issue is another one of those surprises that I hadn’t expected and yet the boys work seamlessly into the story in ways that keep the reader involved and invested.
I am am a fan of the interior artwork here. Aspen has never been short of amazing illustrators and Romina is no exception. The way she’s able to utilised the varying weights in the linework to create her attention to detail is sensational. The creativity and imagination in these faces and creating facial expressions on a not so human humanoid is just amazing to see. Of course there is also the symbols that we see, including one that’s terribly familiar, as well as the creatures visages there is no shortage of places the eye goes where there isn’t something new and different to thrill at. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows us a very nice eye for storytelling. The way backgrounds are utilised expand the story and really bring the world to life. Enrica’s colour work continues to impress me with her use of shading and light sources, I wish there were a little more gradation but not going to quibble.
That we see the Akolouth in the role they are is interesting and what was said in the office after the message was received speaks volumes. The way this is written really packs a punch and it’s story & plot development alongside the characterisation and these beautiful interiors show us why Aspen has celebrated it’s 15th year publishing excellent books.