Have you ever seen The Gift? It's a haunting film by Sam Raimi, and the first issue of this new limited comic-book series reminded me a lot of the film. The plots are quite different, but the atmosphere of this comic book just like that of that tense, supernatural whodunnit. The book is a bit slow-going and a little confusing at first, but by the end of the issue, the reader is involved in -- and intimidated by -- the story.
Brandon seems like a fairly typical guy. He has a lovely wife, and he's close with his brother and sister-in-law. But Brandon's life isn't an ordinary one. He's a magician, and I don't mean the "Hey, watch me pull a rabbit outta my hat" kind. He's following in his late father's footsteps, but now, it seems that the sins of his father are being visited upon his children. Brandon, his brother Dexter and their wives are all suffering from unexplained afflictions, and the young, inexperienced mage thinks it has something to do with his father's past.
There's a gritty quality to the art that reinforces the grave tone of the plot. At times, the artwork reminds me of the styles of artists known for their crime-genre work, such as Michael (Gotham Central) Lark or Cliff ("Josie Mac") Chiang. Brandon and his extended family look like real people, and the middle-class look of the characters makes it easier for the reader feel a part of the story. Beyond the linework, though, are deep shadows that really brig out the tense, supernatural atmosphere.
It isn't until about halfway through the book that the story really begins to come into focus. There's a greater emphasis on the supernatural elements as opposed to the more grounded ones early on, and the reader is left feeling as though he missed out on some key piece of information somehow. Allie opens with the mystery first as opposed to introducing the characters, an unusual approach that works against the story to begin with.
Fortunately, when the characters are clearly defined, the premise gains greater definition as well. The story may involve curses and dark magic, but what makes it chilling is that the pains that Brandon and company are forced to endure are not at all exotic. Nosebleeds and migraines are ideas to which the audience can relate, and they make this surreal story much more plausible and provide a chilling, personal kind of horror. And then, at the issue's end, Allie hits us with an idea that's perverse, disturbing and tragic. I'm definitely curious about what's coming next.
