As a reviewer and a comics fan of many years, I've read a lot of comics that can be easily summed up in one sentence. Shuck is not one of those comics; in fact, it's quite odd, but there's something compelling about it as well. Shuck seems to be some strange combination of Dante's Inferno and Song of the South, which sounds like an impossible blend but actually retains the charm of the latter and the intelligence of the former. Every element of the book, from the choice of paper stock to the strange and distinctive phonetic speech patterns used by the characters, speaks to the creators' care in putting this book together.
Basically, Shuck is about a demon who was a former soul collector, who now lives in a quiet little town. He is friends with a little girl from next door, he brews beer and he throws Halloween parties for the dead so they don't get into trouble. He also laments the loss of his wife, Gaia. His various roles require him to be a lot of things, not the least of which is a mediator for those who are a little confused by their deaths and a helpful friend to the neighborhood children.
Though the premise is not exactly simple or easily grasped, the stories certainly are. Shuck spends his time trying to keep friends out of trouble, and though the circumstances surrounding the plot may be unusual, the motivation at the heart of the story is easy to relate to. In addition, if you forgive his unusual appearance, Shuck comes across as a likable, friendly, average guy. He has a great deal of sympathy and empathy to offer his friends, whether they be living children of the recently deceased.
I found the affected speech patterns of the characters a little difficult to read at times, but I can't deny that they gave me a feel for the style of the book throughout. In fact, that's a big part of the charm of Shuck. If nothing else, the dialogue is distinctive, and it sets the tone as effectively as any other element of the book.
In fact, everything in this book seems to work in concert toward creating a unique and stylish object. The book is printed on yellowish, sturdy paper with cardstock covers, terrific production values for an indy book. This sort of faded, classic paper style fits right in with Smith's artwork, which features incredible use of grayshading, some imaginative designs and a distinctive look. his storytelling, generally sticking to a six-panel grid, is likewise easy to follow and well-done.
