Tag Archives: the black hand

Review: The Black Hand

Posted on by

coverA childhood brush with death left Victoria Addair with a blackened hand that has the power to slay the undead with a touch. Drafted into the Order of the Black Hand, Victoria is sent to an old mining town to slay a ghost – the Grey Boy – who haunts the mountainside. Soon Victoria learns that all is not as it appears and the secrets of the Grey Boy’s origin could save – or doom- them all.

Finally a graphic novel involving zombies that doesn’t take place in modern (or relatively modern), setting. The Black Hand combines more traditional fantasy elements, with cold ones (zombies) is a nice almost brilliant change of pace. Of course that being stated, this book has a decently, complex story featuring an almost religious group of zombie slayers, which is where the the title The Black Hand comes from.

I will admit, the armor design of the main character is a nice change of pace to the “standard,” fantasy armor for women. Of course the armor is a shared design by all the warriors of the novel. That gives the order a sense of unification, as they fight their various enemies. Even the world is well drawn despite the “cold” nature of the world.

Honestly, I wonder if they intend on continuing this series, or the world at the very least. It definitely has the possibility of making interesting stories, even if they don’t include zombies given the plethora of creatures you could replace them.

Story: Erica J. Heflin Artist: Fares Maese, Wes Locher, Jim MacQuarrie, James O’Callaghan
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Alterna Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: The Black Hand TP

Posted on by

coverA kick ass female lead? Check. Epic battles and fight scenes? Check. Swarms of angry undead? Check. The graphic novel The Black Hand is bursting with secrets to unravel, enemies to slay, and artwork that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Immersive imagery and intense storytelling really made this graphic novel stand out as an extraordinary tale. The main character, Victoria Addair, is someone the reader immediately wants to support and back throughout the many battles with the undead, and perhaps the more challenging discussions with the Master Rahal, who hides the truth at every turn in the name of pride and vanity.

Deployed to Master Rahal’s family estate on a northern mountainside surrounded by snow and ice, it becomes Victoria Addair’s role to protect the family, particularly Fadil Rahal, the sole heir to the family legacy. Unfortunately, the family legacy also includes a number of unhappy incidents, which has led to a strong presence of the undead throughout the surrounding area. This includes a particularly interesting and peculiar Grey Boy, who is attempting to lure Fadil to his death…or is he?

The writing, by Erica J Heflin, throughout this graphic novel is impressive. The pages can’t turn quick enough while suspense is built, leading to a fantastic finale, including hordes of undead, danger and peril. Morality is interwoven with action. Notions surrounding greed and honour are entwined with the plotline so well that they are a definitive part of the story.

Matched in quality by the artwork (Fares Maese), both the imagery and the storyline combine into a thrillingly mysterious, supernatural adventure.

Story: Erica J Heflin Art: Fares Maese
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Alterna provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: The Black Hand

Posted on by

THE BLACK HAND
digital collection

Digital Release
$5.99, 86 pgs, Full Color, Mature Readers
(W) Erica J. Heflin
(A) Fares Maese, Wes Locher, Jim MacQuarrie, James O’Callaghan
Available on 12/30

A childhood brush with death left Victoria Addair with a blackened hand that has the power to slay the undead with a touch. Drafted into the Order of the Black Hand, Victoria is sent to an old mining town to slay a ghost–the Grey Boy–who haunts the mountainside. Soon Victoria learns that all is not as it appears and the secrets of the Grey Boy’s origin could save–or doom–them all!

cover

Preview: The Black Hand #4

Posted on by

The Black Hand #4

story by Erica J. Heflin
art by Fares Maese, Wes Locher, Jim MacQuarrie, James O’Callaghan
$1.99, digital comic, series, action/fantasy, 17+

The ghostly Grey Boy enters the fray as the Cold Ones are summoned by their Master. Victoria and the White Frost finally come face-to-face as they fight for the lives of the people of the mountains. But even with the slaying power of the Black Hand at their disposal, neither Victoria nor her allies are prepared for the force of nature descending upon them.

0cover