Scout Comics 2018
On Sale 08-29-2018
Written by Matthew Erman
Illustrated by Lisa Sterle
Thought. Void. Space. Hazel Patch. Piper is lost and must work with an unlikely ally to find a way home while Frances is reunited with Jody as she sheds new light on everything that has happened. Piper and Frances are fast approaching the end and as questions are answered, they are forced to make game-changing decisions.
There are moments or issues that forever change how you see the series and for me I think this is that one. The way we see events unfold this issue leave us bewitched, bothered and bewildered. Matthew keeps growing stronger and stronger, see more confidant, in his writing abilities and it shows I feel like we’re seeing him coming into his own as he’s reaching that potential level that we knew he could reach but were just waiting for it. This is one of the things about smaller press company’s that I want YOU ALL to support, young creators getting a chance to blossom before our eyes and witness the birth of a new generation of storytellers.
The way that this book is structured is extremely well done. I am going to say this which contradicts what I say on occasion, but this series is already established so the rules don’t always apply. The opening is wonderful to see and as we see Francis and Jody walking and talking there are a few aspects that come to light which no one was expecting. Part of this is due to the characterisation, which is phenomenally well represented here, and how we see Jody’s personality coming into play. On the one hand she’s trying to get Francis to centre herself and focus which is a good thing really it just plays on my nerves with how often she pushes and it doesn’t seem lovingly pushing either.
When Francis gets to see the state of the town this segues into the next two parts beautifully. This is an example of the growth and development as a writer to make the transitions smooth as silk. Let us call her the High Priestess is not one to mess with and I get the feeling this isn’t her first time at the rodeo. What we see with her well hello there’s Piper running around the tunnels still trying to avoid the hallucination of her mother.
Lisa’s interiors here also keep growing and getting stronger. While it still has something of an all-ages feel to it there is more attention to detail than we’ve been seeing. The creativity and imagination is lovely to see ad whether that’s in the tunnels or what’s affecting the townsfolk it is all very distinctive. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective is pretty good, there could be more variety or more risque/extreme angles not a whole lot just a few. Still Lisa a very nice eye for storytelling. With the subject matter and these people in this place I would love more backgrounds being utilised but that’s just me.
I love the way that this story weaves through everyone’s lives separate and yet connected. That this is a small out the way town in the middle of some place no one would think to look kind of a Mayberry if you will. Take that kind of locale then add in some Mary and Rhoda, shake in a little The Hills Have Eyes with The Bodysnatchers and there might a little more in the seasoning but I mean c’mon this is enough as it is.
This is a great story that takes you places with the characters that no one was ready to go. Fills you with hope, dread and a mixed bag of feelings which make you immediately hit the first page and do another read through thinking you might have missed something. Do you remember the moments where the characters in The Shining realised what was happening with the others? Yeah this is kind of like that.