Aftershock Comics 2018
Created & Written by Adam Glass
Illustrated by Patrick Olliffe
Coloured by Gabe Eltaeb
Lettered by Sal Cipriano
In “Under the Pyramids”, Harry Houdini walks on through to the other side and discovers that the Rough Riders are up against the legendary Dutch "Bokkenrijders "who have returned to this earthly plane to settle a score with one of his teammates! But Harry's truest challenge may be a visitor from his past who can spell his end...unless he listens to his newest teammate H.P. Lovecraft!
The moment that H.P. Lovecraft was introduced to the story that there would supernatural elements to this one. I mean we’ve see the brace that Roosevelt wears to keep himself upright, we’ve seen aliens in Cuba and stopped a worldwide conspiracy to plunge the world into chaos so naturally this was the next logical step. I never thought it would happen the way it has been and that’s thanks to Adam for his innovative ideas and progressive way of being able to use myths, legends and innue to bring out the characters motivations and personas.
From all accounts Roosevelt really was a larger than life figure who’s ideals and expectations were hard to live up to. Those standards he set for himself he expected in those around him and his manhood was something he was extremely proud of so while he fought for issues that make the world a better place he was also something of a male chauvinist. Adam manages to bring those aspects of his personality together here and while they don’t make him old fashioned, not in this era, nor seeming like a villain it just IS a part of who he is.
Why go into the last paragraph? Simple it’s integral to the story as is Teddy’s family history and heritage going back to the settlers of this great land or just to the Witch Trials era I am not exactly sure. As is why Lovecraft has been brought into the fold to keep he that cheats death tethered to the real world. Oh and by the way the amount of times they’ve all managed to cheat death is pretty damn impressive and Annie’s miraculous recovery from Death well I am still waiting to see how that is going to be explained.
Oh am I a huge fan of Patrick’s or what because seriously the work that and the way he’s able to use the linework to manipulate the images in such a way the maximum impact they can possibly have. The way he utilises page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off his eye for storytelling and honestly I think it’s among the elite in the business. With Gabe providing colours it all really comes across in such a stunning manner. Also the clothing that runs the gamut from one era to the next is so well done I'd love the reference material used. The use of backgrounds always makes me happy as they really expand the scope of the story.
The entire way that this book is being told is without a doubt some of the finest storytelling around. The use of alternate history to take these folks who would not run together in normal circles and to have them go after threats that are both real and imaginary in the manner in which they do surprising me at every turn. The more we learn the more we realise there more we still need to learn is necessary. Nothing and no one is what they seem not even President Roosevelt and that’s what makes this so gosh darn exciting.