
Aftershock Comics 2016
Created & Written by Justin Jordan
Created & Illustrated by Juan Gedeon
Coloured by Tamra Bonvillain
Lettered by Rachel Deering
Sometimes you just need to have a little fun in life, forget the crud that’s going on in the world and smile, laugh and enjoy. That having been said may I present the perfect book for you to do just that with. While for people such as myself this makes me want to take part in a Dungeons & Dragons game but if you don’t play those then just enjoy the fact that these characters are fun, unique and in situations where their personalities shine and make this all the more fun to read.
We open with a little history of the Domin, the creatures that have surrounded the caravan last issue. This is important so you know what the creatures are like and you can see the out of the box thinking that Strayer does here. I love that he knows about these creatures while the rest look on at him like he’s lost his mind. The dialogue and the way the action unfolds has been done to a T!
There’s a reason we love creator owned projects and that’s because we get to see them form from the ground up and experience the vision these folks have. Though I will admit that this issue the interiors are letting me down a bit. They seem less detailed and more ambiguous as if the crunch of a monthly book may be taking a toll. There’s a lot less attention to things than I am used to here.
This issue is basically one huge battle for Strayer while the others look on in amazement and dumbfoundedness. In this we see a lot great characterization from everyone involved from Strayer to the those watching him. It’s nice to know that someone can still further a story along through characterization while everyone is in one place for a set duration without having to resort to them telling you their backstory. Actions, words and dialogue that come from them here really does a lot more than you’d think it could. Kudos to Justin on showcasing such skill as a writer that he can flesh these folks in wonderful ways.
I do like that Strayer was able to do what he does, though everyone else seemed slow on the realization of exactly what he was doing. Then perhaps this action he’s taken here will translate into the folks of this caravan becoming allies, I wouldn’t dare say friends they don’t seem the type but then Justin can prove me wrong. After all the way this issue ends the two are going to need all the allies they can muster.
I did have to go back and look at the interiors and it does seem that we have a bit less detail in the faces, I keep thinking more along the lines of Calliou or a children’s book when see how little expression I get from the faces. I love the story here but Juan needs to step it up and bring something equal to the words in his art if i’m going to stick around for the long haul. Hopefully this is just a learning and growing experience for him on a monthly title we’ll see because he has a style all his own that’s great it just needs more attention when coming to the faces, dots for eyes and no mouths seem so amateur and wrong to me.
All that aside this will make you laugh, smile and provide a brief escape from the day to day world. It’s worth reading.