Review: Edenfrost #1 (of 4)

Ever since Indiana Jones raided the last Ark, if not prior, creators have been entwining mythology with historical events. As with the aforementioned Doctor Jones, and to some intent The Doctor, these types of stories carry beats that when seen as a larger whole, deliver a book of details and legends oft set against atrocities. Take this new mini-series from Mad Cave, Edenfrost which sets the magic of a Golem in the world of the Russian Civil War!

Separated from their parents following a pogrom (a vicious riot set to eliminate an ethnic or religious group), Alex and Yuli are left to fend for themselves in perhaps the harshest of realities. The pair conjure a Golem to help them. But how will the mystical beast protect them from not just warfare caused not just by National pride, or a need to dominate, but ethnic bias?

Amit Tishler is the writer charting an alternative styled history of sorts. In doing so, he builds on the bond between the siblings, a trust that holds that unspoken belief that together that nothing break them up, that they will always be safe together. Of course it helps to have a mystical monster to call on as a protector. Tishler, at least in this first issue, wisely centres the action on the realism of the situation rather than the the fantastic and by doing so, encourages a level of maturity to proceedings. The aforementioned Golem makes the odd appearance, much like a guest star, who will get more air time as the danger increases throughout the series.

The art and colors are provided by Bruno Frenda who does a great job of looking at the world through a child’s perceptions. Body poses are fully realised with the facial work outstanding; this is massively important given that the pair have to deal with a variety of horrors. As good as the art is, for me, it is Frenda’s colors that give the book its length and breadth of quality. I love watching NFL in December, especially those cold cities. You can almost feel the chill in the air as you watch the game. Here, I get the same shivers from the destruction and survival of a winter and frigid landscape, where people may actually be colder than the snow. Finally, it you need a letterer to deal with a lot of words, you can probably do no better that the excellent Taylor Esposito.

I was lucky enough to see this book a while ago on Outside the Panels (click here to view). I am pleased to see that the completed book more than lives up to snapshot I garnered from Tishler.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written by; Amit Tishler
Art & Colors by; Bruno Frenda
Letters by; Taylor Esposito
Published by Man Cave Studios

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network