Self-Published 2019
Written by Andrew Guilde
Illustrated by Camilo Ponce
Lettered by Weston Design Studio
Man of Sin is a psychological horror murder mystery where every step a father takes to find the truth about his son's death brings him that much closer to discovering he is the Anti-Christ.
So it might have been donkey’s years since I’ve read issue one and here I am with issue two and I am still just as in love with it as I was before. It is really nice when you can read an issue a while after the last one and still remember everything that came before. You a story is well written and has incredibly well done interiors when you see the first page and like Celine Dion It’s All Coming Back To Me Now.
The opening here is beautifully done. The chaotic happenings that we see in the hospital as Damien as we see a nurse unleashing well hell on earth. There is something about how this is being told that just captures the imagination and fires the embers in your soul up to this burning flame of desire. The desire to see and know more because yeah this absolutely crazy the more that we see the more we want to see more and that is precisely how it’s supposed to be. I am so impressed with the work I am seeing here and Andrew’s talent and skill as a writer is prominently on display and it’s something special to be able to write like this and make it feel like it’s better than any genre specific television shows have been.
The way that we see the story & plot development and the character development move through the book as they reveal information and revelations by working together weaving in, out and around each other is wonderful to see. The pacing picks all this up in a way that creates this gorgeous ebb & flow which keeps the reader glued to the page as well as taking them off script. That Andrew continually takes us off the page and into our own minds and imagination is what separates good writers from incredible writers. The characterisation is sensational and by the addition of Reverend Benjamin to the mix this really has upped the ante and brings out new aspects to the story and to Damien.
Camilo’s work on the interiors here is just sublime to see. I mean if you haven’t taken a real look at them the feelings and emotions that they are able to evoke out of the reader is amazing. Not only that but each reader will take away different feelings and emotions as they see the work so it’s really a personal and unique experience. Plus the way we see these people is so so good. Somehow he’s able to make the linework and attention to detail stay firmly in place while the watercolour effect just enhances what we see. It feels unique to him and it’s a style all his own. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows such an amazing eye for storytelling. I love how we see a lot of blue, black, grey and all their various hues and tones being utilised and then when it’s needed the spectrum of reds, yellows and oranges that just punch it up for maximum effect.
Damien has no idea who he is, he believes he is just a normal man who lost his son and who’s wife is a target and it frustrates him because he cannot understand what’s happening. It comes across marvellously too and that so many people around him in various aspects of his life are involved just keep adding the mystery. There is everything to love about this book and absolutely nothing to dislike, it has some strong writing and characterisation wrapped in this stunning artwork. This is the find of the century people and you didn’t even know you were looking for it did you?
You can head over to aguilde.com to pick up the full story!