Aspen Comics 2018
Written by Frank Mastromauro & Vince Hernandez
Illustrated by Andre Risso, Michael Sta. Maria & Federico Sabbatini
Coloured by Jesse Heagy, Omi Remalante & Juanchoo
Lettered by Micah Myers
Dellec’s previous battle against a higher power and the forces of evil led to a tragic ending—as he sacrificed his own life in a struggle with the Demi-God, Tera! But, a new underground resistance forged by Father Strayer is in the works, and with a shocking new leader to combat Terra and her minions, Dellec’s cause is ever growing. However, a new evil has emerged…one that could spell doom for not just the innocent—but every living soul!
Alright so while Dellec himself died in the first arc that doesn’t mean his legacy doesn’t live on and I like to see that. It isn’t always necessary to revive a character so that what they believed in and died for to still have meaning. Though I have to admit that the opening here is part Mad Max and part Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting really does take this to a place that is among the most fun places to visit. It does precisely what an opening is supposed to do as it catches the readers imagination, attention and above all that innate desire to see and learn more.
Well I have to admit that a part of this story took me by surprise and how it’s done, presented to us the reader is extremely well done. I mean not only is the writing of this sensational as how it pertains to man and his desires but also showcasing that this is also his downfall at the same time. This was stroke of genius of the masterful kind to not only include it in the story but to make it work so frakkin naturally as a part of it that there is absolutely no denying the fact that that passage feels like it was exclusively meant to fit this book.
Then it feels like that lastly the final artistic team gets a chance to finish off the book. I liked this too, a lot as it gives us a peek at who is responsible for the narration of the first segment as well as through the eyes of a lackey. To see the evil that is in response to the troubles in the world now is something that we should see and need to see to know who the antagonist is. However all we need to know is that they are there and planning something big, we don’t need details. Why because who wants to ruin the surprise of what is to come?
Each team is responsible for a section of the book. I was kind of hoping that they would be closer in style to each other but that wasn’t to be the case. It really is easy to see where each one starts and ends and the flow is interrupted by the fact that the segments change focus so that makes the change in style of the artwork more easily accepted. Overall each one has a very nice utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in each of them shows us three very nice eyes for storytelling. Where we see the most backgrounds being utilised is my favourite and it’s because they are seen and expand the story so well.
With an ending that feels classic and custom made for this book that makes me rethink the opening narration entirely is something else entirely. That this ending thrills me to no end shouldn’t be surprising to anyone reading this and once it shows how much this feels like a comic should. Forget the dark angst stuff that is so darn prevalent because for all it’s darkness this has light, hope and that feeling of something big is going to happen.
With a great premise, solid characterisation and dynamite interiors Aspen keeps putting out these incredibly good solid books.