Source Point Press 2019
Written by Frank Gogol
Illustrated by Nenad Cvitican
Lettered by Sean Rinehart
Things get worse as the kids come face-to-face with Ben's killer! And, as Murphy continues to take more drastic measures to avenge his friend, Tank and Amanda are faced with the question of how far are they willing to follow their friend down that dark path. Friendships are tested and broken, and that's not the worst of it as this breakout series from Frank Gogol, Nenad Civiticanin, and Sean Rinehart barrels toward its final chapter!
Well I will say this, Frank really has some damn fine writing chops. This is an excellent story that is well written and executed and far and away one of the strongest ways to make your mark in this industry. This isn't an updated version of some 80's style genre film where the kids overcome their fears this is more realistic in it's approach as well featuring kids who in some way shape and form are damaged. It is a sensational read if you haven't tried it yet then find out why it's been selling out before hitting stands.
The way this is being told is fabulous as the story & plot development and the character development really makes this special. The pacing is excellent and the way that it picks up the story, plot and characterisation and keeps them weaving in, out and around each other while moving the story forward is nice to see. The opening for this is interesting and powerful as we see from the kids point of view and to hear that and know this what they are thinking has to be a terrible burden to bear and explains why he's so cold and distant from these people who have taken him in.
I am surprised that we haven't been introduced to more characters yet but in a way it makes sense since this is really who the kids are focusing on. Heaven forbid they be wrong, I mean they are so certain they know which of course means they are barking up the wrong tree but hey live and learn right. Still I can't wait to see more folks in the sphere of influence be introduced.
The interiors are great! Nenad has a great hand and eye for storytelling and the way that we see the linework and how it's utilised to create some stellar attention to detail through the varying weights is joy to see. You see this and you see the figures in this one style and the clubhouse and the outdoors in a slightly different style to separate them and it works and it forms this gorgeous imagery. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a nice solid eye for storytelling. The way that backgrounds are utilised to expand the moments and show a sense of size and scope to the book is extremely well done. The colour work is subtle and wonderfully done. The tones, hues and various moments of true colour make moments pop and we also see how the light sources create the shading and shadows.
There is a lot of then and now storytelling going on here and it's freakin awesome. We see the kids and we see those moments there lives kind of chance irrevocably. These moment serve to really find ways for us to connect and bond with the characters and it works. Whether they are all going to survive this is up in the air but one thing is for sure and that's the emotional bonds we see between them and us. Source Point Press is proving they are moving up the ladder these days and saying hey we have some fine storytelling and creators here, and they do.