Aspen Comics 2018
Written by Frank Mastromauro & Vince Hernandez
Illustrated by Andre Risso & Michael Sta. Maria
Coloured by Omi Remalante Jr.
Lettered by Micah Myers
PREVIOUSLY IN:
Dellec returned from the afterlife to a world much more hellish than any death. After fighting for his life from a new foe, The Hands of God, and his vicious demonic creatures, Dellec returned to his abandoned suburban home for a respite. However, even in the place he once called home he could not find peace—as his daughter Andy arrived ready to take his head off…
I will wholeheartedly admit that I missed the first arc of Dellec. Not really sure why if was paying attention or something was going on then at this point it really doesn’t matter. What I love about this is that the guys have made this completely new reader friendly while simultaneously tying this intricately into the first arc. Something that isn’t as easy to do as you’d think but they make it look incredibly easy. The way this book is structured, how we see it flow from segment to segment, see transitions, is such a beautiful thing to see. The guys have definitely made this a must read series with how they’ve approached and executed this.
The opening is sensational! From the tender approach to a much more well let’s say hardcore re-acquaintance with each other is such a treat. Also to see Dellec treating his daughter, who when see her in the past could be a son, like he did and how we see her now all grown up it’s a nice contrast as well as that similarity that let’s us know they are the same person. There is so much going on here and the characterisation is utterly sensational between them. I cannot get over just how amazing it is to see such a great mix of characters and to have them fleshed out so fully.
There are a few things going on here that I don’t think anyone is or was prepared for. So that we get more than a few twists and turns to the story is a great way to keep the reader on their toes. Also that one twist makes the reader thing beyond what is seen happening to them means that it engages the reader in such a way that cannot help but feel as if we’re being pulled into the story. Feeling as if we’re a part of the story is important and it’s done extremely well here.
I do like the interior artwork here as well. I like the linework and how we see it used to create the attention to detail in the characters. I like that this is it’s own style it stands apart from a lot of other stuff we see now. Seeing the different places and the different aspects they call for it’s such a great treat to see it all come to life. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a great eye for storytelling. That we see backgrounds utilised the way they are is wonderful and they expand the moments perfectly.
I think that how the story unfolds feels as natural as can be. Sure the mystery behind Dellec’s resurrection is somewhat revealed but not entirely and that the enemy they face isn’t the one whom everyone expects it to be is something spectacular. That we see the creativity and imagination again with him and his creatures lends that air of excitement and the unexpected to the book as well. The cliffhanger surprise ending here is one that will lead us into the next issue beautifully. This has such strong writing and solid interiors and all of it ignites the readers mind and imagination in the best of ways.