This book had very cool art going in, so I wasn’t really surprised when the story turned out to be pretty damn good also. By now, if you have ever heard of the X-men, you have heard of the Phoenix and the Dark Phoenix. This series delves into a pretty cool saga based on the god like properties of these two Phoenixes and the followers of their faiths.

After reading a few pages of this first book I began to realize how well it flowed from scene to scene. For me, if I can imagine someone acting out these scenes on a TV or movie screen, it’s usually a positive sign to me that the dialogue is pretty good. Giovanni Smith is a great writer, who can bring together a complex story  while giving his characters dialogue that moves along the story, but develops their personalities for better or worse. Titan “Tyson” comes to mind. He’s a wise ass, but your able to see there’s good inside that character before his actions even get to that point. Can’t say enough about this great dialogue.

Artist Mike Gaughrans art  gave the story a great sense of medieval, epic adventure to it. The timing and pace of the art was in perfect synch with the emotions and dialogue that Giovanni Smiths words were trying to convey. Mike’s art has kind of a cartoonish look to it, but I say that in the best possible way. I was reminded of the old  Masters of the Universe cartoons as I was reading this book. That’s high praise for me.

I did have a few small critiques that came to mind. Melody the Amazon looked kind of masculine, and the “grackles” looked like an oversized biker gang, but those were minor details. A few other positive details I’d like to point out is the great read at the beginning of the story that fleshes out the history of the two Phoenixes and how we get to where we are at when the story began. Also at the end of the book there is a detailed map which shows this world that is being created in  detail.

Issue #2 has already been released via their website below with title #3 coming soon. Please donate if you are going to read this book. About quarter way through Volume 1 you’ll realize you have paid $4.00 for at least one book in the last 3 months that wasn’t even close to the art and story of this one…and it wasn’t 30 quality pages.  Great job guys. Cheers

Scott

https://sinopiacomics.com/comics/

This was a quirky book that I wasn’t sure how to take the first time around. How could you build a story around hair cutting?!….and then I thought hmm,… Edward Scissorhands. If I could broadly compare this book, it would be a cross between Edward Scissorhands, The Star Wars Trilogy and a bit of Game of thrones tossed in there.

Abigale Theodosia is an enforcer of sorts. In a land where  hair is currency,  and being shaved of all yours strips you of your dignity,  a barber can be a dangerous figure. Abigale’s bone to pick today(or hair pick if you will)is not with the fine folks of the territory she is in but with the Queen and King of this realm. It’s about her families honor though the reasons so far have not been made quite clear.

Not sure how they did it, but the creators of this concept made it work, …..and  fairly well. From a story that is well paced(Via writer Billy Martin) to art that has a “fairy tale” feel to it(via Jazz Singh) they are able to pull together a thoughtful story and the beginnings of a larger universe of “cutters”. Along the way they plant enough seeds for future chapters where the things that are alluded to before will all make sense in the end…….or at the very least give more questions to the answers.

The hook for the next issue is set up nicely, and introduces whom I think may be to this series, it’s “Obi Wan CUTnobi”(Christ, did I just write that?!).Abigale Theodosia is an interesting character .From her facial expressions right down to the flop of hair on the top of her head(think Strong guy from X-factor)she has the makings of a strong interesting character.

I’d read the second book to see where this was going as I’ve been given enough foreshadowing that I’d like to see where it’s going. Lowfive productions website is below. They’ve got some great art and a couple of podcasts if you’d like to check them out. Cheers for now

Scott

http://www.lowfiveproductions.com/

The first thing that really stood out to me in this first chapter was the art. Chris Callahans style reminds me a lot of David McKean(Hellblazer, Batman: Arkham Asylum).It felt Haunting, spiritual, mystical, and celestial ;with just a touch of Victorian mixed in. This is coming from a reviewer who could not draw a bath, so the fact it effected me the way it did should say something to you.

The story itself is a poignant look at death, and how peace in the after life isn’t always possible if you have questions and yearnings unanswered. James can’t be happy.In his mind , there’s no plane of existence where he’ll feel whole unless the one thing he is missing is right there with him. That’s where his journey will begin. This first step was written very well and I thought the dialogue written in the first person to  his wife was enough to make toughest of ladies swoon. Bit of a silver tongue for what folks might call a “dark supernatural” story.

We all hope that at the end of this life we have a just reward. That we will find everlasting peace, and some of us believe that should include being with the things and people we love. James forsakes all of this to go find the one thing in his afterlife he can’t live without no matter how many elaborate dreams his mind can create. There’s an entire undercurrent of dialogue in this book where James almost pits his firm belief that he can never let the memory of his love go against simultaneously living in the afterlife where she is present in a dream form, created by him. Bit of a mind bender indeed

This first chapter contains the spectre of death, the deceit of angels and a questionable alliance with Eden herself. His wife is not on any plane anyone can confirm, and that is upsetting the a status quo and balance that was set before time itself began. This book contains metaphysical questions about life, afterlife and the very nature of the human spirit……. in the first chapter.

This book is a deep ride. The closest I could compare it to would be the late Robin Williams “What Dreams May Come”. An underrated gem from about 20 years ago. You’ll not find any super-heroes in tights here. You’ll simply find a man who would rather wander purgatory looking for the woman he loves then stay in a dream that will never be real. A pure love across space and time.

I can see why this was funded on kick starter in 4 days(It should have been funded in 2 on the merits of the art alone).My understanding is that this is a 4 part book. I encourage you see to where this story can take you. Both on a visual and literary level. Cheers for now.

Scott

Write and Artist :Chris Callahan