Aspen Comics 2018
Written by Vince Hernandez
Illustrated by Joey Vazquez
Coloured by Federico Blee
Lettered by Zen
With a portal now open, Serké unleashed the Void’s most gruesome creatures into the Earth realm led by Hank’s former loved ones, Hector and Alle. During the ensuing war, the shaman managed to pierce Kon’s chest and unleash his magic into the world. Meanwhile, Hank, Sparkles and Sudana journeyed to the Golden Realm to flee Serké’s forces, and managed to rescue Hector and Alle. Yet the cost was high, as Hank, Sudana and Sparkles’ lives remain in upheaval, and the dark forces of magic now roam free in the shadows of society…
So here’s the deal while this is the third volume in this series it’s all good because it’s pretty new reader friendly. With the whole of the Aspen Universe now put together into one it can be intimidating trying a new series but don’t let that stop you from experiencing something new and exciting and that’s exactly what this is. It has this whole quality to it that you feel it as you read it and experience it. From the first page to the last there’s an electricity and excitement here that is undeniably good. Vince does such an amazing job with how the book is structured and how this whole thing flows through the pages. You will have to see to believe just how solidly written this book is.
So I like how the transitions here work. From the opening where we see Sudana talking to a couple cops about something they possess and moving to Area 96 now if the two are related remains unclear but it is transitioned well. I have no idea what that thing is and I don’t anyone really does but the two guys who are monitoring it well you already have a sense of what is going to happen here. While it almost feels like something in a SyFy movie as it has that whole something disastrous is going to happen aspect to it.
So when we get to Hank and his walking, talking full of attitude Sparkles the cat we see how restless, see bored, Hank is and the fact that they need some money means going out in the world again. Something that may not be the best idea around but hey when there’s no cash flow coming in you need to find a way right. So Vince not only manages to find a creative way to entertain us with some humour in this otherwise quite serious story but also the weave all the storylines into one. This is just the first issue and if it’s this well done already I am excited to see what’s next.
I like the interior artwork here and how it feels like “normal” comic book artwork. I love the amount of backgrounds that are utilised here they really do wonders in expanding the moment and the story in general. The way that page layouts are done so that we see how the angles and perspective are done showcase a stellar eye for storytelling. There are also some great wow moments here and it makes me as a reader excited for what is yet to come.
There’s a lot more to Aspen comics than you think there is and it’s time to open up your minds to the myriad of books that can excite the mind and imagination in ways that will surprise you. This is a solidly written and nicely illustrated story that combines magic, villainy and of course the supernatural. So what are you waiting for grab this first issue and find out how good it is for yourself.