Roman Ritual #1 (of 4)
Amigo Comics 2014
Created & Written by: El Torres
Artwork by: Jaime Martinez
Sketches by: Diego Galindo
Colours by: Sandra Molina
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: A murder involving a cardinal is shaking the Vatican, so cruel and vicious that goes far beyond any crime. The self-exiled priest John Brennan is summoned to Rome as the boldest exorcist in the Church.
Review: Amigo is like the little engine that could, it just keeps chugging along and very quietly is putting out some of the most interesting books. El Torres is, in my humble opinion, a new voice for the horror genre that demands attention for the work he’s doing. This book centers on the Vatican and the Catholic Church with possession. Something we’ve not seen a lot of lately and it’s a very underrated section of the horror genre. Why? Because in many cases this is the closest we get to real life situations and those are among the most horrific we can imagine.
This book opens up with a fly on the eye of a statue, very reminiscent of old horror movies that bring back those memories to really freak you out. Monsignor Marelli is being chased by a black clouded figure seemingly made of flies and you automatically know this is a horror story of the highest caliber.
Switch to Father Brennan in the Amazon where we see him perform an exorcism on a young girl. What I loved about all this is that while you see him in action, you “hear” the latin needed for the exorcism and the demon’s voice talking through young Louisa, yeah the way that type set is done is extremely effective. The whole scene is very well portrayed and when we finally see the girl, yeah, that’s something to behold. This does a lot for defining the character of Father Brennan and we learn a few more things about the nature of the story that don’t bode well for what else is going to happen.
Well we do get to learn why Father John Brennan is in Columbia and while we don’t get the circumstances behind it, we do learn that he’s been oh so very not welcomed at the Vatican. Intriguing right? But then why does a friend of his send him a video and a letter asking him to return, with an all is forgiven pass, called a Bull? Yeah, ya know I absolutely love some good intrigue and mysterious backstory to go along with my horror so this is genius.
Back in Rome, the Chaplain of his Holiness is confronted by his secretary that Father Brennan is on his way to Rome and he doesn’t approve in the slightest. Ah.. Infighting among those with power in the Vatican who would have guessed, and we still don’t learn what he did exactly, though there are clues. Still I am enjoying hearing bits and pieces of what’s happening and why they need him and how dire it must be to get someone back who was almost excommunicated. There really is something special about Father Brennan and we see that once he arrives back in Rome with what he experiences. He’s our hero or as close to one as we get in this story and I look forward to learning more about him. Plus what the most Reverend Archbishop Georges shows him and by extension us Oh Hell To The Yes!! While I am refraining from trying to give too much away this is a must experience book so you’ll understand my excitement.
I’m also a big fan of the artwork here, it’s not like anything I’m used to but there really is something special about it. It also happens to work extremely well with the subject matter and the faces we see are just I dunno, uniquely special for each person. They manage to really evoke the creepy horror aspect of this without the gore aspect that’s become so frivolous and common these days which I personally find wonderful.
Go out to your local shoppe and see if they have it or can order it for you because if you’re a fan of classic horror. than this is right up your alley.
Editor's Note: To grab yourself a copy of this sweet little title, head here!
Amigo Comics 2014
Created & Written by: El Torres
Artwork by: Jaime Martinez
Sketches by: Diego Galindo
Colours by: Sandra Molina
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: A murder involving a cardinal is shaking the Vatican, so cruel and vicious that goes far beyond any crime. The self-exiled priest John Brennan is summoned to Rome as the boldest exorcist in the Church.
Review: Amigo is like the little engine that could, it just keeps chugging along and very quietly is putting out some of the most interesting books. El Torres is, in my humble opinion, a new voice for the horror genre that demands attention for the work he’s doing. This book centers on the Vatican and the Catholic Church with possession. Something we’ve not seen a lot of lately and it’s a very underrated section of the horror genre. Why? Because in many cases this is the closest we get to real life situations and those are among the most horrific we can imagine.
This book opens up with a fly on the eye of a statue, very reminiscent of old horror movies that bring back those memories to really freak you out. Monsignor Marelli is being chased by a black clouded figure seemingly made of flies and you automatically know this is a horror story of the highest caliber.
Switch to Father Brennan in the Amazon where we see him perform an exorcism on a young girl. What I loved about all this is that while you see him in action, you “hear” the latin needed for the exorcism and the demon’s voice talking through young Louisa, yeah the way that type set is done is extremely effective. The whole scene is very well portrayed and when we finally see the girl, yeah, that’s something to behold. This does a lot for defining the character of Father Brennan and we learn a few more things about the nature of the story that don’t bode well for what else is going to happen.
Well we do get to learn why Father John Brennan is in Columbia and while we don’t get the circumstances behind it, we do learn that he’s been oh so very not welcomed at the Vatican. Intriguing right? But then why does a friend of his send him a video and a letter asking him to return, with an all is forgiven pass, called a Bull? Yeah, ya know I absolutely love some good intrigue and mysterious backstory to go along with my horror so this is genius.
Back in Rome, the Chaplain of his Holiness is confronted by his secretary that Father Brennan is on his way to Rome and he doesn’t approve in the slightest. Ah.. Infighting among those with power in the Vatican who would have guessed, and we still don’t learn what he did exactly, though there are clues. Still I am enjoying hearing bits and pieces of what’s happening and why they need him and how dire it must be to get someone back who was almost excommunicated. There really is something special about Father Brennan and we see that once he arrives back in Rome with what he experiences. He’s our hero or as close to one as we get in this story and I look forward to learning more about him. Plus what the most Reverend Archbishop Georges shows him and by extension us Oh Hell To The Yes!! While I am refraining from trying to give too much away this is a must experience book so you’ll understand my excitement.
I’m also a big fan of the artwork here, it’s not like anything I’m used to but there really is something special about it. It also happens to work extremely well with the subject matter and the faces we see are just I dunno, uniquely special for each person. They manage to really evoke the creepy horror aspect of this without the gore aspect that’s become so frivolous and common these days which I personally find wonderful.
Go out to your local shoppe and see if they have it or can order it for you because if you’re a fan of classic horror. than this is right up your alley.
Editor's Note: To grab yourself a copy of this sweet little title, head here!
Warning: Potential Spoilers
Burning Fields #1
Boom Studios 2015
Written by: Michael Moreci & Tim Daniel
Illustrated by: Colin Lorimer
Coloured by: Joana LaFuente
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: Dana Atkinson, a dishonorably discharged army investigator, is pulled back to the Middle East when a group of American oil technicians disappear under bizarre circumstances. With the help of an Iraqi investigator, what Dana discovers is unimaginable: a series of unusual incidents at the drill site lead her and her unlikely ally to discover a mythic evil that has been released, one that threatens both the lives of the entire region and the fragile peace that exists.
Review: What a powerful first issue this was. To be honest I had no idea what to really expect from this, but I knew it looked interesting and let’s face it BOOM! does have a habit of putting out some good books. So after reading this issue I had to sit back and think for a few minutes. It was so different than what I was expecting and it’s incredibly intense and very now in it’s content. This isn’t for the squeamish it’s hardcore and violent, though it’s very tastefully done and it sheds a very dim light on those who use their military connections and might to make a profit at other people's expense. And don’t pretend that sort thing doesn’t happen. Overall this is a huge surprise and should be a hit!
The book opens with a man being tortured and well to be blunt his tongue removed as the narrator uses a form of Arabic (course I'm guessing here), putting him firmly in the Middle Eastern region, Iraq or so. If this doesn’t grab your attention from the get go and make you super curious about what this book is going to be about then you may want to move along, as this likely isn't for you. But if it does you’re in for one hell of a treat!
Next up is Chicago, Illinois where we meet Dana who is a woman with a very interesting present. It seems she in with the Russian Mob and the Chicago P.D. and is informing for one or the other, though the cop we meet isn’t really all that friendly so there’s that. Then we meet her former C.O. Kendrick and her past comes at us with a bang. Pretty much everything you need to know about her is spelled out for you, including if you piece the puzzle together on why she’s where she’s at now. Complex and interesting doesn’t even begin to accurately describe this title, this is a must read to understand stuff!
Kendrick knows how to push just the right buttons too, because what he describes at first doesn’t sound like her cup of tea but we learn that it really is and soon she’s off to Iraq. Hmm sounds familiar to the opening bit, wonder how that’s all tied together and then read more. Yeah, as if her home life isn’t enough, wait till you see what Dana has waiting for her when she lands. The only bright spot is Detective Aban Fasad who seems to be a rather honest, capable and honorable man. The army folks who are acting like local laws don’t mean anything for them, on the other hand though, yeah, they are going to be trouble.
Now, how do all the players meet up and whose agendas will co-incide? We’ll have to wait as the story unfolds to find out for all the answers, but what we have here is more than well worth reading about.
Colin’s interior artwork here is spectacular and is so in synch with what this story needs for the dramatic effect. From that mesmerizing de-tonguing to the final page of a serial killer’s handiwork, and all the dark and brooding stuff in between is perfect for the book and perfect for the writing. Plus the facial expressions he gives us speak volumes without narration necessary, and that’s hard to do at times. He’s the perfect guy for this job.
Boom Studios has a bona fide hit on their hands with this one!
Boom Studios 2015
Written by: Michael Moreci & Tim Daniel
Illustrated by: Colin Lorimer
Coloured by: Joana LaFuente
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: Dana Atkinson, a dishonorably discharged army investigator, is pulled back to the Middle East when a group of American oil technicians disappear under bizarre circumstances. With the help of an Iraqi investigator, what Dana discovers is unimaginable: a series of unusual incidents at the drill site lead her and her unlikely ally to discover a mythic evil that has been released, one that threatens both the lives of the entire region and the fragile peace that exists.
Review: What a powerful first issue this was. To be honest I had no idea what to really expect from this, but I knew it looked interesting and let’s face it BOOM! does have a habit of putting out some good books. So after reading this issue I had to sit back and think for a few minutes. It was so different than what I was expecting and it’s incredibly intense and very now in it’s content. This isn’t for the squeamish it’s hardcore and violent, though it’s very tastefully done and it sheds a very dim light on those who use their military connections and might to make a profit at other people's expense. And don’t pretend that sort thing doesn’t happen. Overall this is a huge surprise and should be a hit!
The book opens with a man being tortured and well to be blunt his tongue removed as the narrator uses a form of Arabic (course I'm guessing here), putting him firmly in the Middle Eastern region, Iraq or so. If this doesn’t grab your attention from the get go and make you super curious about what this book is going to be about then you may want to move along, as this likely isn't for you. But if it does you’re in for one hell of a treat!
Next up is Chicago, Illinois where we meet Dana who is a woman with a very interesting present. It seems she in with the Russian Mob and the Chicago P.D. and is informing for one or the other, though the cop we meet isn’t really all that friendly so there’s that. Then we meet her former C.O. Kendrick and her past comes at us with a bang. Pretty much everything you need to know about her is spelled out for you, including if you piece the puzzle together on why she’s where she’s at now. Complex and interesting doesn’t even begin to accurately describe this title, this is a must read to understand stuff!
Kendrick knows how to push just the right buttons too, because what he describes at first doesn’t sound like her cup of tea but we learn that it really is and soon she’s off to Iraq. Hmm sounds familiar to the opening bit, wonder how that’s all tied together and then read more. Yeah, as if her home life isn’t enough, wait till you see what Dana has waiting for her when she lands. The only bright spot is Detective Aban Fasad who seems to be a rather honest, capable and honorable man. The army folks who are acting like local laws don’t mean anything for them, on the other hand though, yeah, they are going to be trouble.
Now, how do all the players meet up and whose agendas will co-incide? We’ll have to wait as the story unfolds to find out for all the answers, but what we have here is more than well worth reading about.
Colin’s interior artwork here is spectacular and is so in synch with what this story needs for the dramatic effect. From that mesmerizing de-tonguing to the final page of a serial killer’s handiwork, and all the dark and brooding stuff in between is perfect for the book and perfect for the writing. Plus the facial expressions he gives us speak volumes without narration necessary, and that’s hard to do at times. He’s the perfect guy for this job.
Boom Studios has a bona fide hit on their hands with this one!