Boom Studios 2015
Created & Written by Simon Spurrier
Created & Illustrated by Jeff Stokely
Coloured by Andre May
I love when I have no idea what the heck is happening. This story is set in this wonderful world that still has a very discernable caste system and city guard that and creatures outside humans that remind me of a variation of a Dungeons & Dragons setting. We open with two significant events well possibly three one is the death of the Baron and the sending out of these little old men type creatures with wings to dispatch the news from the Spire and the introduction of Commander Sha of the City Watch.
Both events will play important roles as a new Baron will be put into place and Sha’s skills as whatever type of person she is are put to the test. There’s something interesting about this world, we’ve seen guns and some sort of science mixed with what appears to be magic though for me magic and science to the unknowing could be the same thing. Simon is crafty storyteller, he’s got this ability to create something unique and special and make it so completely off the rails interesting that while you aren’t quite sure what’s happening at times you find yourself left with the need to figure it out. He can capture your interest and imagination without you even realizing he’s done it and that’s what makes his work so fun to read and popular.
Jeff and Andre do some really interesting work on the interiors here. There’s this nice detailed and at time scratchy work that makes it unique and the use of light sources casting shadows while may not have any real meaning looks really interesting. Also the messengers arre kind of creepy crazy and very imaginative, Sha and her ability is interesting to see and all around us the unbridled use of imagination on display is utterly fantastic.
Our introduction to this world is done in a different kind of way as the messengers go off to spread the news of the Baron’s passing we see at least one shot through the head indicating that not everyone here is appreciative of the Spire. Then when we see Sha’s chasing of criminals and only catching one of three before seeing the news it’s clear she’s special, different and quite possibly one of a kind. So part pitbull part detective and all around badass Sha’s one of those characters that comes along and we actually root for and want to know as much about as possible while having as much about remain a mystery at the same time.
Everything isn’t so serious in this issue there’s an incredibly cute display that happens with Sha and a little girl in the crowd showing us that Simon’s sense of humor is can be just as delightful as his fantastical stuff.
There’s a murder in the Spire that will take a lot effort for Sha to discover the truth behind and then there’s her girlfriend who seems to have more of a fascination with her other ability than herself and that could be complicated. Then there’s the last page which well yeah there’s that.
Again Boom really seems to be thriving on their Ten Year anniversary and setting themselves up for another Ten strong years ahead and it’s creators like Simon & Jeff who they see as innovators let loose their imaginations upon an unsuspecting public, thank goodness for that.