REVIEW: Mythic #1

Story: Phil Hester
Art: John McCrea
Letters: Willie Schubert
Colors: Rian Hughes
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: May 13, 2015

There are lots of things that one can believe or disbelieve in our world; science, whatever sub-discipline you choose, isn’t usually counted among them. That’s because the scientific process eradicates the need for belief or faith ”“ unless you acknowledge that a belief in the rigors of the process are a type of faith. If you do, then you’re all set to begin reading Image’s new supernatural series “Mythic”“, a story that suggests that science is just a cover for the true nature of reality.

The inaugural issue introduces us to Nate, an average guy with an average job. Things quickly spiral into the surreal though, and Nate begins a journey that is one part Men in Black and two parts Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. The main difference here is there’s no reformed harbinger of the apocalypse nor any appropriated alien tech. Yet.

The entire time that I was reading this book, that’s the impression that I got; that this is a mixed genre story (sci/fi and fantasy). Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the read, I just know that the comparisons to some other works, especially BPRD, are inevitable. Honestly though, I feel like there should probably be more books that straddle the line between genres available, especially those that mix magic and science. I tend to agree with science fiction titan Arthur C. Clarke in his belief that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, and while “Mythic”“ doesn’t make that claim exactly, it still courts the idea.

“Mythic”“ works because it’s more outlandish than those other two fictions, but in a way that is more adult (mature) and adult (crass) equally. Where some might try to treat ancient beliefs in the supernatural with a bit more respect, if not outright reverence, Hester let’s you know right off the bat that nothing of the sort will be taking place here.

That’s perfectly O.K. Why? Because beliefs don’t deserve reverence or respect just because they’re old. Sometimes it’s good to not just challenge superannuated notions but to mock them in order to show the absurdity of what we often ”“ erroneously ”“ hold to be sacrosanct.

I’m not big on censorship, at all really, but some may take issue with the language in the book. There are more than a few instances of profanity,but that just solidifies the “come what may”“ tone of the story. Still, might be a good idea to throw a “For Mature Readers”“ decal on the cover of future issues.

McCrea does a good job of keeping the artwork lively but not too busy. The panels rarely have more than a character or two at a time, and no one seems overly concerned with striking vogue poses or anything. It’s about as realistic a vibe as one can get from a book where “…the sky and the mountains haven’t f*cked lately”“. Likewise, Spicer’s colors are spot on for a book like this; at the beginning everything seems to be coming through a sort of earth tone green filter only to later switch to a warmer and yellow saturation. It creates an ever-expanding world effect in my opinion, that invites readers to sit back and enjoy the spectacle.

Author Profile

Adam Cadmon

Adam Cadmon is the pen name for a man who has been writing for a few years. Heâ€™s done his share of straight-laced writing, college press, blogging, some other not very glamorous technical writing to keep the bills paid. Itadakimasu.