Two-in-One Review: Shoto Press Part One Randy and Don follow an old medicine woman and a skeptical schoolteacher into adventure and supernatural dangers in their reviews of two graphic novels from Shoto Press. Don: We're treading new territory here. This may very well be my first exposure to Indonesian comics -- the writer lived there for a time, and the artist is based there -- but the work here is in keeping with Japanese manga style. The creators have also used a metallic ink -- a kind one usually only sees on the covers of comics from time to time -- throughout these black-and-white graphic novels, and the unconventional approach is really eye-catching. Randy: You're right, this is definitely unconventional, both in the use of metallic inks, the unusual formatting of the books and the story material. You're also right that the result is eye-catching, and whether you appreciate the manga style or not, these are worth checking out. Garlands of Moonlight written by Jai Sen illustrated by Rizky Wasisto Edi The Ghost of Silver Cliff written by Jai Sen & Eric Bryden illustrated by Rizky Wasisto Edi Don: Marsiti is an elderly Juma Lady -- a medicine woman wise in the ways of the supernatural and spiritual realms -- and she's having a hard time protecting her village from a threat that's been abducting babies. She has a hard convincing some of the younger villagers, including schoolteacher Hidayat, that the menace is a monster, corrupted by an ancient curse. Later, Marsiti and Hidayat travel together to another village, where another mysterious threat has been killing visitors. I can't overemphasize what a difference the silver metallic inks make in the artwork. The visuals here stand out as truly unique. The shine and glow enhance and add to the supernatural and historical elements in a way that's difficult to describe. Randy: There are even some points in the story where the metallic ink is used as the only defining visual, such as to indicate mystical lights that aren't easy to see. It's a spectacular use of a special effect, and a nifty technique that serves notice of the creators' willingness to experiment with the medium. Don: Mind you, that's not to say that the metallic ink rescues the artwork or anything. It doesn't need to be rescued, as Edi's manga-esque style tells the story clearly and capably. It's exaggerated -- especially when it comes to the depiction of the Dutch invaders -- but the central characters' humanity is never lost. He captures the classic, simple elegance of the villages quite well. The characters -- especially the young women -- boast a soft, graceful look, but he also brings a twisted, disturbing design to bear in his depiction of the monster from Garlands, while never losing that sense of grace. Randy: I definitely see the manga influence you're talking about, but at the same time, I see similarities to western artists like Terry Moore or Josh Middleton. As you note, Edi's style combines softness and beauty that is perfect for capturing the strange, mystical nature of the settings and characters, but he never fails to capture the creepiness of monsters or the unknown either. I also really like his designs for the protagonists, as the kindness of Marsiti or the skepticism of Hidayat both come through in their visuals, not just in their characterization. Don: The Ghost of Silver Cliff picks up the story where Garlands leaves off, and while each stands up well on its own, there's a bonus to be had in reading both volumes at once. There's a nice role reversal in the second book that's far more entertaining when one is aware of the resolution of the first. Marsiti is an instantly likeable character, but I was more impressed with Sen's restraint when it came to Hidayat. He could have easily fallen into the trap of making the character so arrogant and skeptical that the reader would loathe him. But Sen brings humility to the character by the end of the first book, but never sacrifices his more scientific mindset. Randy: I wasn't so sure about Hidayat... in the first book I found him to be pretty nasty, given that the reader pretty much sensed that it was Marsiti who was in on the truth. But he does redeem himself nicely in the tail end of Garlands of Moonlight and the majority of Ghost of Silver Cliff, where he serves as the Scully to Marsiti's Mulder in that story. I found the partnership between these two very different characters to be very intriguing, and would definitely like to see more of them. Don: Sen and Edi make a formidable creative team. Their work here -- especially on Garlands -- makes for riveting horror storytelling, and it reminds me more than a little of the critically lauded Uzumaki. Fans of that series of graphic novels from Viz Comics should definitely check out these Shoto Press books. Randy: You're not alone in that feeling or in that recommendation... Uzumaki is one of my favorite manga so far, and there are definitely foreboding and horrific elements that remind me of that here, although it is perhaps not quite so disturbing or graphic. Another thing these books remind me of, surprisingly, was the X-Files, although you'd have to imagine it without its conspiracy/alien overtones and set in pre-modern Indonesia. At any rate, the setting, the approach and the talent all have something unique to offer, and Shoto Press is one to keep an eye on. For more information on Shoto Press, visit the website at www.shotopress.com. Email Randy and Don comments about this review.