Flesh of White #2 – Single Issue
Inverse Press
Writer: Erica J. Heflin
Penciler: Amanda Rachels
Reviewer: Derrick T. Crow
Summary: Set in Tanzania, Africa, the stage is set for a horror story concerning magic and monsters situated around a heavy topic not usually discussed actually raging in Africa: Albinism. When a witch doctor calls for the sacrifice of a child of white skin for nefarious purposes, Rehema must fight to protect her snow white child, and family, from destruction.
Review: Flesh of White #2 is a step-up from the already stellar first outing. We get a lot of well needed character moments, to sit, breathe, and get to know our players before they begin tumbling down. This is one thing I feel most story writers forget anymore these days, that in order to build up your characters we must first interact with them, even if there is no fighting to be had.
And there is very little action in this issue; it’s mostly talking heads and building of subplots which is fine. This early in the game there’s no reason to burn out all your matches. We get to meet a couple of Witch Doctors, each teetering on different sides of the good vs. bad spectrum. William, who is trying to help Rehema protect Kwasi and our villain who is out to kill Kwasi. Both show their magical abilities here and both are fascinating to witness. In some ways it felt like I was watching parts of a Disney film with this issue.
I didn’t really find a lot wrong with this issue, I am curious to see where things are heading and it seems the Kickstarter for issue #3 is about to begin (July 27th!). I find the small village of Albinese people to be an interesting idea, yet an idea with a lot of common sense when you think about it. When no one loves you, where do you run to? To a place where people like you can be free. It was also nice seeing the blending of people with albinism and those with regular skin color, showing you’re really no different no matter whom you are.
The art was also a step-up this time around. Lines seemed smoother, and there really weren’t any awkward paneling or angling issues like last time. The colors were vivid and bright, and everyone appeared different and easy to tell apart. Although in the last panel, I felt Rehema looked an awful lot like her late husband, not sure if that was on purpose but it did take me out of the story for a split second; thinking he was suddenly alive.
If there are any issues I had with it, they’re speculative ones. I hope as the story goes on, that it doesn't begin to experience a sense of drag that would cause it to lose sight of its original intentions. Next issue should see a lot more happen after this issue’s slow paced build up, and also I want to know more about what makes the evil Witch Doctor so vile, which I know will come in time and probably not too soon. I’m not expecting that next issue, so to speak. Overall though, two issues in and I’m really enjoying Flesh of White. It may not see superheroes beating each other up, or seeing an explosion every two panels, but that doesn’t it make any less riveting and engrossing to read.
Right now, Flesh of White is showing just how smart comics can really be.
Final Score: 4.5 Spirits Crossing Over out of 5
Editor's Note: If you have yet to do so, and are curious on how to acquire Flesh of White #2, along with the first issue. Head here!
Inverse Press
Writer: Erica J. Heflin
Penciler: Amanda Rachels
Reviewer: Derrick T. Crow
Summary: Set in Tanzania, Africa, the stage is set for a horror story concerning magic and monsters situated around a heavy topic not usually discussed actually raging in Africa: Albinism. When a witch doctor calls for the sacrifice of a child of white skin for nefarious purposes, Rehema must fight to protect her snow white child, and family, from destruction.
Review: Flesh of White #2 is a step-up from the already stellar first outing. We get a lot of well needed character moments, to sit, breathe, and get to know our players before they begin tumbling down. This is one thing I feel most story writers forget anymore these days, that in order to build up your characters we must first interact with them, even if there is no fighting to be had.
And there is very little action in this issue; it’s mostly talking heads and building of subplots which is fine. This early in the game there’s no reason to burn out all your matches. We get to meet a couple of Witch Doctors, each teetering on different sides of the good vs. bad spectrum. William, who is trying to help Rehema protect Kwasi and our villain who is out to kill Kwasi. Both show their magical abilities here and both are fascinating to witness. In some ways it felt like I was watching parts of a Disney film with this issue.
I didn’t really find a lot wrong with this issue, I am curious to see where things are heading and it seems the Kickstarter for issue #3 is about to begin (July 27th!). I find the small village of Albinese people to be an interesting idea, yet an idea with a lot of common sense when you think about it. When no one loves you, where do you run to? To a place where people like you can be free. It was also nice seeing the blending of people with albinism and those with regular skin color, showing you’re really no different no matter whom you are.
The art was also a step-up this time around. Lines seemed smoother, and there really weren’t any awkward paneling or angling issues like last time. The colors were vivid and bright, and everyone appeared different and easy to tell apart. Although in the last panel, I felt Rehema looked an awful lot like her late husband, not sure if that was on purpose but it did take me out of the story for a split second; thinking he was suddenly alive.
If there are any issues I had with it, they’re speculative ones. I hope as the story goes on, that it doesn't begin to experience a sense of drag that would cause it to lose sight of its original intentions. Next issue should see a lot more happen after this issue’s slow paced build up, and also I want to know more about what makes the evil Witch Doctor so vile, which I know will come in time and probably not too soon. I’m not expecting that next issue, so to speak. Overall though, two issues in and I’m really enjoying Flesh of White. It may not see superheroes beating each other up, or seeing an explosion every two panels, but that doesn’t it make any less riveting and engrossing to read.
Right now, Flesh of White is showing just how smart comics can really be.
Final Score: 4.5 Spirits Crossing Over out of 5
Editor's Note: If you have yet to do so, and are curious on how to acquire Flesh of White #2, along with the first issue. Head here!