
Boom! Studios 2020
Written by Brian Azzarello
Illustrated by Maria Llovet
Lettered by AndWorld Design
Faith is drawn to black magic in Turin, Italy, as she exhibits in a prestigious art gallery there.
Well every time I think we have seen just about everything these two can throw at us they decide to up the ante even further. Faith in many ways is still that insecure little girl and she doesn’t see herself emerging from that the way the reader does. When it is you you have no idea how much you are changing but those who see you on a not so daily basis can notice it with ease. I like how this is happening here. It isn’t everyday that we are able to see this kind of character growth and development happening in what would be considered real-time life.
The way that this is being told really is pretty bloody brilliant. The story & plot development we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented beautifully. Seeing Faith’s journey the way that we do is something pretty special and that we see things happen that go far beyond any kind of expectations is something I appreciate. The character development that I mentioned earlier is indeed something extraordinary. Plus to see how those around her regard her and treat her well it’s an interesting dynamic that makes everything just that much more powerful. The pacing that we see is great and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way we see how all of this works together to create the books ebb & flow.
I really do like the way that we see how the book is structured. How this with the ebb & flow and the characterisation kind of mix in a way that makes a smoother more potent cocktail than a Boston Tea Party is one of those instances that set Brian apart from the crowd. This is without a doubt one of the most erotic and captivating series to come out and while it can be rather graphic at times there’s never a moment where it seems something other than art. To keep this at place that doesn’t cross the line is another thing about this that even as a gay man I can be openly captivated and somewhat turned on by.
I love Maria’s work. That nine panel first page is gorgeously rendered as we see Louis talk about Faith’s latest work. Now why Louis and Solomon don’t get have fun is beyond me or at least Solomon with any number of men. The linework is beautiful and how we see the attention to detail shows off her style perfectly. Plus to see Italy in all it’s divine mystery really is something magnificent to behold. There is also something to be said for the magic we see being utilised here and I am definitely a fan. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a marvellous eye for storytelling. The colour work is great and i love how we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work. Also to see Poppy’s coat so shiny like pleather is really well rendered.
There really is so much going on here and it’s absolutely something you have to pay attention to. Yes there’s the shock and awe value but deeper than that is this crazy story of dark creatures preying upon the light and influencing someone so pure and innocent and corrupting her. Though can the willing be corrupted? Now who is the old woman, we saw her in New York and here now in Italy, so what is her role in all this to be? It is half the fun to not know and the reveals that come one after another keep me glued to the pages here in ways I wasn't expecting.