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
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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
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