If there's one thing you can say about Duncan Rouleau, it's that his comic-art style is unique. A lot of artists start out mimicking the styles and methods of others, but his work really stands out. I've not always been receptive to his work in the past on DC and Marvel titles, but apparently, if one really wants to see what Rouleau is capable of, one has to check out his creator-owned work. The Nightmartist is a captivating, psychological horror and supernatural romp that shows the writer/artist at his best. The story is dichotomously down to earth yet surreal, and the artist's panel-shattering approach to the storytelling is challenging yet surprisingly accessible.
Beth Sorrenson is haunted by terrifying dreams of being vivisected, and the fact that the offending surgeon carries the face of the therapist entrusted with her psychological care isn't helping the healing process. A new figure begins to appear in her dreams, a man calling himself the Nightmarist, and he warns Beth he is there to protect her from supernatural parasites intent on doing her harm. But the Nightmarist seems as frightening as the ghoul-like creatures that she's begun to see in the waking world. Beth wonders if she's losing her mind or if everyone around her is infested with evil as she perceives.
Rouleau's style is unmistakable, though there are moments in the book that his art puts me in mind of Chris (Uncanny X-Men) Bachalo at his best. There's a truly surreal tone to the visuals, but they're never so far removed that it's confusing. Rouleau makes the most of the black-and-white format. It doesn't limit him, as the art is still full of texture and depth. The design for the title character is a striking one. It could have looked a bit silly, given a top hat is the dominant element, but Rouleau instills power and presence into the character.
Rouleau draws his audience in with the vague qualities of the conflict in the earlier part of the book. Beth's would-be savior seems malevolent at first, and the mind-bending aspects of the story keep the reader guessing. Is it all in Beth's head? Is Peter, her dream man, too good to be true, and what is his connection to the Nightmarist? Despite the fact that the title and even the medium through which this story is being told lead the reader to buy into the supernatural aspect of the plot, Beth's paranoia is so pronounced that a psychological explanation remains viable through much of the book.
Beth's anger is the main focus of the storytelling and how that anger has affected her. But Rouleau explores different facets of the emotion. Beth's anger takes different forms: resentment of her mother, disdain and distrust for others who would claim to help her and self-loathing, as we see her deny herself any semblance of happiness or normalcy. Of course, the main draw of the book is the artwork; that's to be expected when the creator is better known for his line art than scripts. He offers some gruesome and shocking visuals, but their fluid and unreal qualities make this horror story more universally palatable. 8/10
Note: This graphic novel was not among this week's new releases.
