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ABSENCE OF INK THEATRE #2
Mildly Recommended (5/10)
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Absence of Ink Press
"Raven's End"
Writer: Kevin Gunstone
Artist: Alessandro Scacchia
"Bune's World"
Writer/Artist: Rick Johnston
"Soliloquy"
Writer: Rob Vollmar
Artist: Rajiv Golay
"Gareth Axel"
Writer: Raymond Blakey
Artist: Ron Davey
"The Castaways"
Writer: Rob Vollmar
Artist: Pablo Callejo
"Brent Morrigan"
Writer: S. Edward Irvin
Artist: Anders Eriksen
Letters: Todd Harker
Price: $2.99 US |
Though the quality of the stories and art varies a great deal, small-press anthologies like this one are always a pleasure to see, because they represent a dream. Each creator contributing to the book dreams of telling stories in this medium, and invariably, books like Absence of Ink Theatre represent their first or second steps. I'd be lying if I said much of the content wasn't rough around the edges, but there are glimmers of potential... not to mention some solid, professional efforts as well.
The "Raven's End" and "Rune's World" segments continue from the first issue, and the second chapters are pretty much like I remember the first ones. The writers and artists all show ability that has them pointed in the right direction, but the stories -- especially "Raven's End" -- are impenetrable, while the art -- especially in "Rune's World" -- is in need of a good deal of polish and development.
There are a couple of one-page features in the book, as is often the case with such rookie anthologies. Vollmar and Golay's "Soliloquy" is appropriately short. It's a touching but brief look at a feeling to which anyone can relate. Irvin and Eriksen's "Brent Morrigan" feature, on the other hand, suffers from lack of space. I don't recall what happened in the previous issue, and the creators don't have the room to full bring that information out. As a consequence, the story is inaccessible.
Blakey and Davey tear the comic-book industry and its professionals apart in their satirical look at extreme personalities. Blakey's script borders on the edge of cruel, but it never quite crosses it. His unrestrained spoof is a bit of an arduous read at times, but well worth it.
Finally, we have "The Castaways," and as was the case with the first issue, it shines as the book's greatest strength. Vollmar and Callejo work incredibly well together. They tell a historical and thoroughly human story that I can only describe as engrossing. I only wish they could bring us an entire issue of this feature, as opposed to just a few pages.
This comic book was not one of this week's new releases.
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