Image Comics 2017
By Dustin Weaver
Do you accept the life you've been handed, or do you step into the unknown, even as it leads you into the shadows? In this new anthology series from writer/artist DUSTIN WEAVER, the characters in three mind-bending stories find themselves faced with this question.
In “MUSHROOM BODIES,” Greg struggles with knowing what’s real and fears becoming complacent in a world of human insects.
In the first installment of “SAGITTARIUS A*,” war hero Linus Rad is on a mission to the center of the galaxy to learn the dark secrets of his dead father’s scientific experiments.
In the first chapter of “AMNIA CYCLE,” Tara, a young Jet-Wing pilot, goes AWOL in the war against the Nuriel in order to help Amnia, a mysterious alien with no memory of where she came from and a desperate need to stop a terrible disaster! When Amnia disappears, it sends Tara on an adventure into the Shadow Zone.
First of all bravo for a one man anthology series i don’t think i’ve ever seen one done before. I kind of like that Dusting doesn’t seem able to make up his mind and has all these cool ideas traveling around in his head. It’s very much a modern way of thinking telling a little bit of each one until they are all told.
So the first segment I have to believe that Greg’s on Mushrooms and that’s where the title comes from. I mean seriously he’s obsessed with cockroaches and who does that and clearly he’s mortified by the whole scenario as well. So yeah it’s gross and yes weird but also it’s totally riveting and you can’t turn away from it. It’s trippy beyond belief and it sort of gives you the shivers and you want to look away but forget it.
The second segment is a very classic science fiction take and I’m intrigued. I”m also very much loving how it’s presented. It’s a series of black and white two page spreads and It’s brilliantly done. I’d love to see a series on this universe and that we’re getting the story between a father and a son who left each other on bad terms well that’s just makes it more interesting.
The third and final story is one that seems to combine elements from the first two. It’s got that weird trippy vibe to it while set in a science fiction atmosphere. Tara is a great lead character and her experience leads to her, and us, to the adventure of a lifetime! Whether it’s real, imaginary or something in-between I’ve no idea yet but i’m anxious to find out.
So I like that when someone does something along these lines it follows a formula. You start with something that will catch the attention then move onto something solid but the least well done and finish with what you think is your best story. That way it leaves the impression you want with the readers. However what Dustin manages to do is create three very strong, distinct and different stories that each could hold a book of their own. There’s very little quality difference between these stories and that’s amazing to me.
Plus his eye for storytelling is superb. The interior artwork here is sublime and the way he utilises page layouts with their angles, perspective and use of backgrounds really helps take us on that complete journey he wants us to go on. That he does the art as well as the writing means that we see exactly that which he wants us to and that’s powerful in it’s own right.
An anthology series that packs a punch all done by one man yeah it’s something you at least need to check out. Head to the local shoppe and browse through it, i’ll be surprised if you leave on the shelf after you do.