Comix Tribe 2017
Written by John Lees
Illustrated by Alex Cormack
Coloured by Alex Cormack & Lisa Moore
Lettered by Shawn Lee
Well another chapter of Sink and I’ll be damned if John hasn’t gone and done it again. We open up in a classroom where the teacher talks about them being more than classmates but a community and family of sorts. I like it because it’s kind of the teacher’s way of saying be wary, be careful and be honest about what you see, though unless of course it’s about a blue van or clowns. On one hand it’s nice that the teacher seems concerned for the missing student and doesn’t want any more to somehow follow suit. On the other hand to lie to the kids who know better is a disservice and one that will push them to do something incredibly stupid.
I love that about kids though, they are much smarter and worldly than we give them credit for but they also think they are invincible. I guess that is human nature and that John can still tap into his inner kid the way he does here bringing these kids to life is rather impressive. The diversity of the group with the timid, the shy, the overbearing and the girl who won’t be told this is boys work yeah the dynamic is rife for great characterisation. Which is something we get in spades.
I get the impression that each of these issues is supposed to flesh out this world and introduce us to the players and with each issue that comes out and John does just that it raises the anticipation factor for when we’re going to see those creepy demon clowns. It is kind of genius really because we see their presence being felt all around the issues and even running into Mr. Dig keeps us on our toes wanting to know what they all are. I mean the clowns seem like demons in disguise though let’s face man’s somehow unnatural fear of clowns make them an odd choice if they want to remain inconspicuous.
I like how we see the impact all of this has on the kids. Craig for example has an epiphany which fuels his decision to join the group after bailing. Things happen for a reason after all and the four of them each has their own reasons for doing this. Beyond the desire to be considered dangerous that is. I kind of really like the idea of them forming something of a gang to fight the evil that walks their streets. Their encounter with Mr. Dig cements that the dangers they will face extend beyond the clowns and it also proves to be that pivotal moment where they learn the potential of what they can be.
Alex is the man here people. I love seeing him grow and mature as an artist and how each issue and each page shows his maturation. The individuality he infuses into each character is absolutely delightful. His attention to detail is wonderful to see and his eye for storytelling through the use of angles and perspective shows off how strong that eye is. The changing style of the dream or the bloody way we see Mr Dig it has the desired effect and it’s marvellous to see.
The way this book is structured is utterly spectacular from the firs page to the last the way it flows is making a strong case for where John belongs in the industry in terms of being a premiere writer. There really is the best and most delicious tension with the amount anticipation that he’s able to weave into the series. His ability to use characterisation and turn that into part of the storytelling is something that’s special.
Comix Tribe has some of the most entertaining and interesting indie books out there and it’s high time everyone started noticing just how good the talent here is!