IDW Publishing 2019
Written by B. Dave Walters
Illustrated by Tess Fowler
Coloured by Jay Fotos
Lettered by Neil Uyetake
When war threatens the Moonshae Isles, legendary heroes return to defeat the forces of an unthinkable foe. In the shadow of Hoondarrh’s mountain, something even darker is revealed as the death of a friend sends Helene into a rage!
Oh Helene, self proclaimed leader, knows what is best for everyone and under the influence of a demon promising her power. Let's not forget that she's ageing harder than an alcoholic drag queen, and should I know I have been on stage with a few. Oy vey I have no idea why she thinks the way she does but she is being portrayed as the type of character I love to see perish because this I know better than you bullshit just don't fly. Though taken from another viewpoint is the fact that B. Dave is really writing the hell out of these characters and bringing them to life rather brilliantly. To get me to see a character as in-depth of an analysis that I have done means he's more than proven he is a massive talent.
The way that this is being told has thrilled me from the beginning. The idea of the then and now storytelling while not new or groundbreaking does factor into the mindset of what we are seeing here. This entity that's attached itself to Helene talks about how non-linear time is, which don't get me started is another fabulous way of getting the reader more involved, and there are clues within their conversation that make me kind of excited. B. Dave (Dave from hence forth) is impressing me like no one's business and no one has before and to tell such a complex, layered and full of opportunities not yet realised.
The story & plot development as we see through the sequence of events unfolding and how the reader learns information is laid down perfectly. How we see what happens is both delightful and eerily creepy. This is one reason why I love paying around the table and why these books make want to play. The character development is phenomenal as we see them encounter situations and circumstances beyond their control it's how they act and react to them that really makes them shine. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way helping to create the books ebb & flow.
Tess does some beautiful work on the interiors here. The linework is gorgeous and how the varying weights are being utilised to bring out the attention to detail is spectacular. The faces and facial expressions we see along with the body language helps to further the characterisation in ways that words alone cannot do. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such a great eye for storytelling. The way we see backgrounds and how they work in the composition inside the panels bring depth perception, scale and that overall sense of size and scope. The colour work is nicely done as well and while I would like to see more gradation the colour blocking is effective in bring the shading, highlights and shadow work to us. Also Helene's attachment yeah that is some hella creepy and completely convincing effects.
If you think these stories aren't for adults then more than likely it's not for you as this a very adult read. With some damn fine, delightful and intriguing writing, story development, characterisation and these fabulous interiors there is something for everyone to enjoy.