Captain Pauite #1
Written by Theo Iso
Art by Theo Iso
Native Realities
To begin with this is merely a taste of a new character, as Captain Pauite #1 is only 16 pages.
I understand the desire to send up a trial balloon of sorts to receive some feedback when you are an indie writer/artist with a new character and a small publisher, but the problem is the story is simply so limited it’s hard to get a real feel for the story.
Here writer/artist Theo Iso crams something of an origin into the story, although it’s not 100 per cent clear how the lab accident gave the hero his powers. Even if it’s so pseudo-science mumbo jumbo ala Star Trek, it would be a plus.
Then there is a look at the hero, not really on a mission, but you do see he can fly, and can toss some sort of powers from his hands, again not fully defined.
What Iso has done is give a quick look at the history of the Pauite, and the early interaction with the white man. That is never a good story, but it is one well worth reminding the current world about.
The flashbacks are done in black and white, art that looks a bit story board sketch more than finished art. That may be for effect, but I would have liked a bit more definition in the work.
There are some interesting possibilities here, but with such a small taste, I can’t honestly say whether I’d be back for more, or not.
Take a look and decide, since owning a first appearance is never a bad thing.
Muirwood: The Lost Abbey
Writer: Mathew Sturges & Dave Justus
Art: Alex Sheikman
Jet City Comics
This was my first taste of Jeff Wheeler’s Muirwood, and I like it, quite a lot actually.
That really wasn’t a big surprise. I have long enjoyed fantasy. I suppose like many I am a reader created in part by Lord of the Rings.
And Muirwood is certainly in the same genre as LotR, not that I am suggesting this story achieves those lofty heights, but for the first pages of a five-issue miniseries, Mathew Sturges & Dave Justus have set up a solid storyline.
A princess disowned by her obviously not so benevolent father, is found to have abilities he now needs. She agrees but not without doubts, not just about her safety under the king’s orders, but the strength of her own resolve. I’ll grant the storyline is not exactly unique, but there is an old adage about no new story ideas, so it comes down to how it is told.
So 25-pages in this is a solid telling of a tale.
Alex Sheikman’s art reminds me a bit of what used to be in the ‘Class Illustrated’ comics of my youth.
In Muirwood the art is all right, although I can’t say flipping through the book at the comic store it would grab you to buy the book.
But, if you are a fantasy fan, you won’t go wrong with this one.
