Cold Cut Distribution's Feature Spotlight #29 - November 1997
Poe
Publisher: Sirius Comics / Dog Star (vol 2)
Cheese Comics (vol 1)
Story & Art: Jason Asala
Cover Price: $2.50
Frequency: Now monthly
Issues Available: 7 (total, in both series)
Storyline:
What if Edgar Allan Poe wasn't just imagining worlds of horror
and mystery for his published poems and stories? What if he
was instead drawing from his own personal experience?
Imagine that the love of Poe's life, his beloved Lenore, dies
young, leaving the poet heartbroken. But soon an angel (perhaps?)
appears to the griefstricken man and tells him that if he
goes on a quest and defeats twelve demons, he will find Lenore
once again.
Edgar immediately packs his meager belongings and heeds
the angel's enigmatic advice to "follow the raven". He soon finds
himself battling a witch, infiltrating a demonic cult, and picking
up companions on his strange odyssey across an early American
landscape at once familiar and foreboding.
Writing Review:
Grand epic questing in the tradition of Tolkien, but set in
colonial America, where Poe will meet typical denizens of the
country as well as soon-to-be-famous historical figures. Jason
writes a classically-arranged quest, setting up loyal companions,
fearsome foes, returning villains, and mystical monsters - but
setting them all in 1800's America gives the entire story a
wonderfully "familiar-yet-new" feeling. Wonderfully fun!
Art Review:
Asala's quirky, blocky style grows on you the more you read
of Poe. His multi-layer "Gray-O-Vision" coloring is unusual and
takes a bit of getting used to, but this unique approach to
black-and-white begins to develop its own charm, and provides a depth
and look to the series and the characters unlike any other. Poe's
dark visage (and square, dark eyes) display an exhaustion and
seriousness perfectly appropriate for the tale.
Audience:
Poe will appeal to fans of questing adventure like
Cerebus, Thieves & Kings or Pakkins' Land, but its
historical setting and
mystical topic should tweak the interest of readers of Joe R.
Lansdale's supernatural westerns like Jonah Hex, or even historical
horror like From Hell. Like a sort of "Sandman 1851", Poe
mixes supernatural adventure and history in a way not seen since
Lady Johanna Constantine rescued Orpheus from the French
Revolution.
Fans of television shows like "Brisco County" or "The Wild,
Wild West", movies like the Indiana Jones series, or classic
historical adventure books like those by Jules Verne or H.G. Wells, will
find parallels in Poe. Readers who like historical adventure in
general (fans of DC's Chiller or Kents series) will also
enjoy Poe,
and should be happy to pick up another quality, monthly series.
If you like Poe, take a look at:
Cold Cut Distribution
220 N Main St. - Salinas, CA 93901 - (831) 751-7300