American Mythology Productions 2018
Written & Illustrated by Mike Wolfer
Coloured by Ceci De La Cruz
Lettered by Natalie Jane
Now that the war with those from the Earth’s core, the land known as “Pellucidar,” has ended you’d think things would go back to normal. However this is Caspak and there is nothing normal about this continent or what lives on it. In this issue Mike explores the mysterious See-Ta and we get to know her, why she was banished from her tribe and why she prefers to be a loner.
What I like about this issue isn’t necessarily the content though it is pretty darn awesome but it’s the way that Mike tells it. See-Ta is a woman of few words when we see her so that this story is told by Lys and it’s her recounting of the story that See-Ta told her. While the interactions with the characters are her words and her actions they what Lys remembers her saying to her and we’re seeing this unfold through her eyes as well as See-Ta’s and it’s this unique perspective that really captured my attention.
The way the book is structured is amazingly well done and how Mike is able to create not only this great ebb & flow but the tension behind it all is palpable. From the opening where we learn how this is all going to be told and why to seeing what we do adds so much mystery and intrigue. It also plays a role, at least I see it as such, in what we’ve already seen in the whole invasion of the inhabitants of Pellucidar. I love the way Mike is able to flesh out this world, tie things together and still expand it so that absolutely nothing feel stale or rehashed. He really is opening the door for the next arc after this and it’s clear he has a reverence to the franchise and since that shines through it’s easy to get caught up in yourself.
This is Mike at his best too because not only is he writing this but he’s illustrating it as well. I love his artwork and his attention to detail that we see is flawless and not just in the characters though being able to accurately showcase humans in various stages of evolutionary development is amazing to see. The way he incorporates the backgrounds and gives them the same amount of attention is how he is able to really capture the awe and majesty of Caspak. The utilisation of page layouts and how he uses angles and perspective in the panels shows of his absolutely stellar eye for storytelling.
So as we see See-Ta interact with the environment and at this one tribe we get a little narrative about how the caste system here works. I like that See-Ta having been banished from her tribe and not welcome anywhere, until Bowen arrived, has survived on her own by her reputation and being feared and it’s all this that has allowed her access to every tribe. Sure they might not trust or like her but being able to be there and not be seen or use her reputation to her advantage is something that makes her who she is.
The characterisation here is phenomenal as it’s as much by Lys’ viewpoint as much as See-Ta’s words and actions. Also this is one of those instances where the interior artwork is so beautifully done that it serves to advance the characterisation as well. That it’s not just our main character who gets this kind of treatment but everyone who appears well that’s why I think Mike might just be the best creator around who isn’t a household name, which he should be.
From great literature we get classics that spark the imagination and a passion for storytelling by those who read it. This is what’s capable from the love of something that starts as a novel from the past where fiction like this wasn’t as appreciated as it is today. American Mythology has a habit of putting out some excellent titles that everyone should be reading or at least aware of.