C&W Creations LLC 2015
Created, Written & Illustrated by Chris Campana
Coloured by Ron Wybraniec
Lettered by Brandon Bullock
I’m a sucker for a good old fashioned other realm tale where dragons are real and characters don’t have to be human. The world Chris has created here started off a little rough around the edges but as he’s been able to tell more of it’s story it’s gotten so much better. It’s great to see someone able to write a story then bring it life himself through the artwork making it so much personal for the reader you can see the confidence in his work grow by leaps and bounds here.
I like the way this issue starts off. We get this not so much flashback as much as it is a memory of a young man’s life. How the actions of the past have shaped who he’s become and it’s highlighted by some extremely nice and dynamic artwork. Page five alone demonstrates what kind of bright future he has with what he can put on the page. Oh and the transition here from one character to another and the connection they share is done in a way we don’t normally see and the risk in something new pays off handsomely.
Rhis and his story continues here and the situation he finds himself in. From going to being in cell to being on the run in a whirlwind of emotion that’s left him bewildered. Serna isn’t forthcoming with many answers but then she really doesn’t have them to give either and the talk they have and way they interact not only demonstrates that nicely but adds a little bit of mystery as if she doesn’t really know then why is following orders so blindly.
The appearance of Candall and his words of promise to help do little in soothing the immediate concern. Though it does make me want to learn what he knows and come back and see what his role and Rhis’ eventually really is. So before too much can be revealed they are interrupted by a Hunter who knows of Rhis and somehow it feels like he isn’t there to harm him but may possibly end up as a valued member of this group should any of them survive what Rhis is about to do. It’s nicely done and a little cliffhanger for this segment.
The rest of the issue shows us the other players in this story as we get to see how different each of them are and where they come from, how they think and a glimmer of why they are going to be important to the story and what they will bring with them. These little segments serve a greater purpose and that’s they introduce you briefly to who’s who but it also makes you want to learn how all these characters will eventually come together.
This is a well crafted story that leaves more questions with each reveal so that while you get a chance to see and know these characters the bigger picture still hasn’t shown up nor how all these people have a connection to each other whether they know it or not. Each issue gets a little better than one before and it’s so nice to see this kind of improvement and to find someone in Chris to support as his vision keeps coming to life and enjoying the heck out of it along the way.
With some truly great interior artwork and very well crafted storytelling this is something you should check out so go to firstworldcomic.com and get lost in a new fantasy world.