Image Comics 2016
Created, Written, Coloured & Lettered by Nathan Fairbairn
Created & Illustrated by Matt Smith
The small band of surviving crusaders and heretics struggles to come to grips with the alien menace that has cursed the land. A decision must be made— do they try to run, or are they compelled by their faith to track the devils and take the fight to them, even if that means marching through the very gates of Hell itself?
I’ve really been enjoying this story so far. It’s completely different than anything we’ve seen out of those set in this era. Yes we get that mad monk who flips on his righteousness at the snap of a finger but the idea that a spaceship crash lands and sets these creatures loose who prey on the townsfolk that’s different. Of course they’ve no concept of aliens so they believe them to be demons from hell. I love that Nathan is able to weave that concept into the story and it’s just so well portrayed by this cast of characters that are holed up and surrounded.
That Matt can portray all this as easily with his work on the interiors is equally as remarkable. I love the emotion the characters show us, the way he uses page layouts, angles and perspective to their fullest advantage. The look and feel of these alien creatures are marvelous and creepy with the right tone and feel to make them seem like demons to those who don’t know better. Also kudos to the way the snowstorm here it really kept the chill in the air and the menace and ease of escape firmly entrenched in the story.
I like what we see this issue character and characterisation wise. With townsfolk standing up and taking a stand, the young woman standing up to the creatures and helping out those who just tried to burn her at the stake. The argument between her and the Knight was kind of epic and spot on. I loved the dialogue and conviction that we get from that as well Nathan really nails this little encounter. The Mad Monk has found no one there is going to listen to him after his actions during the encounter, you need to read what they say about him it’ll make you laugh and more so when he speaks up.
Sir Hugh, aww, and his little message to Theo well yeah I hope we get to see more of that and if the affection is more than friendship. I wouldn’t mind seeing them be lovers they are young after all and the young follow their hearts as much as the rules laid out before them. Also it would make an interesting twist in this medieval drama.
As we near the end of this issue we see where this group of men are going to find the home of these devils, the Lake of Fire. Is this a rescue mission for those they’ve taken, will they find these folks alive or does some other form of hell await them? We’ll know by coming back next issue and with the way these two gentlemen have been crafting this story it’s a sure thing we’ll all be back.
Creative, fresh, new and entertaining this combines history with science fiction to create a new class action thriller.