Action Lab Danger Zone 2018
Written by Ram V
Illustrated by Sumit Kumar
Coloured by ROSH
Lettered by Aditya Bikidark
At the end of their flight, Davoran asks Griz what it was that Stilian could offer and he couldn’t. “Second Chances,” Griz replies. And so, our band of Brigands set out on a ship even as The Myros Comet lights up the sky. they’re on their way to Krantal, where second chances lie just beyond te horizon. But in the Krantali desert of Rhool, an army captain called Emir and a priest named Hadib Tuat are making their own preparation to prevent the artifact from being stolen. In the whispering dunes the sun plays evil tricks on the mind. Second chances are just a mirage after all and the only thing that awaits in the desert is the Ruin of Thieves…..
I like this series it isn’t quite Dungeons & Dragons nor is Conan but it has all the elements of both franchises. The Mercenaries with hearts is one that while all too common has nowhere near reached a limit of being played out. That they’ve been brought together and now they are currently staying together is part of the overall charm here. The way the book is structured and how we experience the ebb & flow of the story is extremely well done. The transitions are smooth and seamless and help us get from point A. to B. with ease.
The opening here is spectacular to see. The first page with it’s weird mix of science and magic to predict where the comet comes closest to the ground is something. What I don’t know and I am not terribly upset about that either because as the story moves forward we will undoubtedly uncover the secrets that we’re given. Then to see the young goat herder and our first look at the comet it all has the benchmarks for the story to showcase villainy without actually introducing us the actual villains and that kind of work is immeasurable in our enjoyment of it.
There is a lot to be said for ambiance in a story and whether that comes from the writing through dialogue or direction to the illustrator so long as it all comes together like we see it doing here. While this is a group of Brigands and as a general rule they are an unsavoury lot but something about our group here while sharing that definition is also the complete opposite because there is something about them that is endearing and though they have a mission to undertake seeing those in need of help is something they cannot overlook. It is like that mountain of a man who has a kitten and cries at chick flicks.
I am a huge fan and supporter of the work that we see in the interiors here. The way page layouts are utilised and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off this amazingly good eye for storytelling. The linework that we see is pretty damn solid work as it expertly mixes in varying weights so that the attention to detail whether it’s intently shown or a more subtle backdrop it has so much expression in it. I love the fact that even when it’s dark in nature there’s still so much attention to detail and that it completely has this whole universal appeal to it.
With the introduction of new characters, a new mission and new frenemies to account for the action here has only just begun and already I kind of want to join them. The characterisation, story/plot development that is happening here envelops you into this world and just holds your attention rapt. This is a fabulous example why I am huge fan of thinking outside the ordinary and experiencing storytelling that will unexpectedly take you some place you’ve never been.