Heavy Metal Comics/Magma Comix 2021
Written by Denton J. Tipton
Illustrated by Menton3
Lettered by Gilberto Lazcano
In Chasing the Dragon, New York Times-bestselling writer Denton J. Tipton and acclaimed painter menton3 explore a dark fantasy world ravaged by the rampant abuse of a drug made from the blood of dragons. With their pursuer closing in, Jyn struggles to kick her habit while Andre is struck by an epiphany, all leading up to next issue's finale!
Oh god i’m in love with this book. This issue just takes us the pinnacle and sets us up for the finale beautifully. It feels like everything we’ve been learning has just been solidified in ways that bring all the layers together. I am so gobsmacked by this issue through just how strong the writing and direction this is going. This is unlike anything else I’ve read thus far in my long life of comic book fandom and I have to say that the fact that I can still be surprised and thrilled by something new, unique, fresh and exciting like this is what I live for. These guys have create a world rife for exploration and though this concentrates on Jyn and Andre that doesn’t mean there aren’t others we’ve been introduced to that don’t deserve more focus down the line. It is a great world to keep exploring and to have created such a dark, wondrous and interesting place is a feat to be proud of.
I love the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is impeccably presented. The character development is bloody phenomenal thanks to how we see the dialogue, the character interaction as well as how they act and react to the situations and circumstances they encounter. The pacing is superb and as we are taken through the pages as more and more of the story is revealed we’re drawn inexplicably into their lives and souls in some magical ways.
I am very much admiring the way we see this being structured and how the layers within the story continue to grow, evolve and emerge anew as the moments dictate. This is where the layers and revelations come to life that will change the course of the story and it adds this extra depth and complexity to the story beautifully. How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward is achieved exceptionally well.
The interiors here are just bloody mindbogglingly brilliant! The way we see these characters and how they move through the pages simply through the visuals is stunning work. Menton3 has outdone himself with this book. The man is already a master storyteller with his artwork but to see and feel the emotions, feelings and desires coming off the pages is brilliant. When we see that pinup style page with Andre and the science with the dual faces of him and his teacher/mentor i was literally blown away but the intricacy of the work. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show that master visual storytellers eye. The colour work is equally as brilliant. From these reds, whites and flesh tones that we see through the various hues and tones within them is beyond utterly brilliant and it is mind numbingly beautiful. The intensity the colours bring to this create one wow moment after another and you find yourself taking a ton of time examining each page because that’s how solid the work is.
I was not expecting things to play out the way they did this issue and that it does change how this book is going to go it almost feels like a mighty river has been rerouted. It’s that powerful a thing to see. I’m more excited than ever to see what is coming next and how freedom is not won but taken and if these two star crossed beings are to have theirs they must stop chasing the dragon and meet him head on! Incredibly intelligent writing with some of today’s most stunning artwork this is without a doubt a masterpiece in storytelling.