Spirit Leaves #1
Writer by Rossi Gifford
Art by Rossi Gifford
Chapter House Comics
The first thing of note about Spirit Leaves is the stunning art. It really has a playful, yet eye-catching appeal which is the strength of the book.
The book in fact would be worth having sans words for the great art by Scottish-born, current resident of Canada Rossi Gifford.
The land/earth faces trouble, and two youngsters, a member of two wild tribes, set off to find out what the problem is.
While not yet answered, you get the feeling the problem is us. Humans are destroying the natural world. No surprise in that message, but it is still one we need to hear over and over and over until we wise up and start to collectively do a better job of looking after the planet since it is the only one we have.
This book won’t in itself change things, but it does add to the message, and again, thanks to the art, it does so in a most visually pleasing way.
It does however leave me wishing the written element was just a bit stronger so the complete package could have been elevated to greatness. As it is love it for the art, and accept the story for what it is.
Deep State Vol #1 (Darker Side of the Moon)
Written by Justin Jordan
Art by Ariela Kristantina
Image Comics
Maybe because the relaunch of X-Files is imminent, and that has me thinking about the show, but Deep State reminds of the TV classic.
John Harrow works for an agency, a secret one, so secret readers are not let in on exactly who he works for.
But we quickly realize he has some definite juice to change the events of history in whatever fashion necessary to keep the public in the dark about what is really going on.
In the case of Vol #1 the big secret is about the Russians landing on the moon first, and what they and subsequent US landings found there.
Harrow recruits Ms. Branch as a fresh-faced partner and the pair are quickly thrust into a mystery akin the Bodysnatchers when the soviet moon lander finally comes home years later.
There are times the story is a bit convoluted.
And writer Justin Jordan throws in a twist or two to set up future volumes too.
The hooks are good enough I want more.
