Black Mask Studios 2018
Written by Patrick Kindlon
Illustrated by Antonio Fuso
Lettered by Jim Campbell
Saheer runs for a living. Diamond Head to Downtown, through a sniper alley that stretches the length of Honolulu. To his clients, he’s a celebrity. But careers dodging bullets have high turnover rates, and Saheer tempts fate every time he laces his sneakers.
I was kind of blown away by this because when I read it I hadn’t prepared myself for what this was going to be about. Though to be fair and honest I am not sure anyone could have. Without knowing how the world or at least Honolulu has become this way it really doesn’t matter because while the opening page is wonderfully captivating it doesn’t do much in explaining just a glimpse at what it was like when it started. Do not underestimate what I am saying because there really is no way to prepare for this so dive into the deep end with the rest of us and enjoy!
The introduction of Saheer was nicely done as well. His narration of his life thus far and what he does gives the reader a unique look into the psyche of this young man. Also it serves to show us just how dangerous a life he has. He seems not so altruistic in his motivations but the honesty when it comes of his thrill of moving, the parkour and the escapism that this lifestyle provides that is what comes across. Though the fact that he also uses it to improve his sex life doesn’t go unnoticed either.
When we get a look at one of the communities in the area of Saheer’s runs we get a different kind of look at life. Gone are the luxuries and things we take for granted and in their places is a life of inadequate healthcare and a complacency to stay put. Since we have no timeline here to suggest how far after this all began all we can do is guesstimate by the way folks behave. That forced normality is anything but and honestly that too provides the kind of characterisation that is essential to the story itself.
I like the way this book is structured and how it’s told. There is a really nice ease to how Patrick goes about things. Also that it’s very story heavy is something that I love seeing. Patrick let’s the story unfold naturally so there isn’t a chance to miss the subtlety of what’s occurring. The graceful way he navigates the characters interactions and their characterisation to demonstrate not only those with type A personalities but the effects of living cooped up like they are is superbly done. There is something special about a story that’s so storyline driven that excites me as a reader where it really has no excuses or fights to interrupt what the story is about.
Stripped down to basics that is what I feel like the interiors are all about as well. There is little to hide behind when doing a black and white book and the linework needs to be strong and of varying weights to create the effects. While I wish there were more backgrounds in use here instead of so much white because when they are used wow are they effective at expanding the story, scene and scope of the world they live in. The way that page layouts are utilised and how we are able to see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a great eye for storytelling.
Black Mask is home to the unexpected because we never know what we as a reader is to expect. I love that about them that’s why they are the little engine that could. They continue to show the industry what storytelling not only looks like but what it should be on a consistent basis. If there are any doubts then read this and it's climactic ending!