Albatross Funnybooks 2018
Written by Rafer Roberts
Illustrated by Mike Norton
Coloured by Marissa Louise
Lettered by Crank!
Eddie Endino, Baltimore's crappiest magic-using hustler, is having the worst day! He's been beaten, hunted, and turned into a dog by fascist space wizards. Now, in order to turn human again, Eddie must navigate a magical underground city, make nice with his rat-controlling witch ex-girlfriend, and keep from being killed by the bounty hunters after him and his teenage demon sidekick. Get ready for more magical mayhem from your new favourite comic!
This really is my favourite comic! The way that Rafer writes this is amazing and absolutely love and cannot get over the level of characterisation that we see. I am having so much fun reading this and then there is overall story and the how and why they got together and without us knowing anything really about why Tala has this obscene bounty on her head, which by extension includes Eddie now. Honestly the way that this has been written is such that I want to learn about everything the same time that Tala does. For me anyway this is half the fun now learning about it before the characters do and it keeps that interest factor ramped up.
So the pair have to walk the streets of Baltimore to figure out where they are going next and well Eddie may a dog but that doesn’t he doesn’t wanna be dressed. Oh sweet man behind the curtain that reveal was amazing and this is a big part of the charm of the book. The unexpected moments alongside those that are somewhat expected together make this the kind of series that you look forward to since you never know what’s going to happen or when. The way this is structured and the overall ebb and flow of the book is as smooth silk and you get swept up in this with a sense of excitement which is rare.
I love the way that new characters are introduced to us. I like that Tala looks so much like her mother that at first glance she can be mistaken for her. Also that her mum was so well known, for better or for worse, is an interesting part of the story and one that Tala has no idea about. That she really is so lost in this new world she finds herself in and her innocence really is refreshing in ways you have to experience to understand.
The interior artwork is amazing and Mike’s ability to bring this kind of attention to detail through manipulating the varying weights of the linework is awe inspiring. The way we see these individuals and then Eddie or the bounty hunter with a mask reminiscent of the old time Death Doctor’s is some great emotion evoking work. Having all that balanced with the humour that comes from Eddie and Mike showcases why I think he’s one of today’s top illustrators. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows us a masters eye for storytelling. I also like the way that we see backgrounds being utilised as well they really help expand the moments and give us this great size and scope of the story to us.
We live in a time where people leave where they were and create companies or outlets for their work and the work of others to be seen. Albatross is a great place to see the Goon and now Grumble adds another element to their line. This is why I keep telling you folks that you need to start looking outside the usual 2 or 3 companies you are afraid to leave because the better told, higher quality stories are being told all around, not to mention right freakin here!
With some stellar writing and stunning interior artwork Grumble will become your new Magnificent Obsession.