Review: Comichaus #5
When it comes to creating something new, creators have hard time letting go of their influences completely. Most cannot, as this is the very reason they get into comic books in the first place, as what they enjoy is usually what they write/draw. So, to ask a creator to be completely free of their inspirations, is truly impossible. The creators at ComicHaus, have created some powerful evocative stories, that only get better with each issue.
These creators, prove to the reader, that they can be challenged on a range of emotions. In the fifth issue of their anthology, three new stories begin, while the others propel forward. In the new installment, of Chalk, Jacqueline’s promise years ago comes back to find her in a precocious position. In the latest installment of Feather, Doug finds himself in between who he has become and saving his family who is part of the resistance against the Paradiso army, an army of angels.
In Mandy the Monster Hunter, a new story, we meet a strong female protagonist, who follows clues to recent sighting only to meet the couple who reported it. In Troubleshooters, our heroes try to reason with Sergio’s daughter, who has her own vendetta, against the bandit who killed her fiancée. In Cold, a new story, a couple wonders a house, and receives a rather frosty surprise. In The Plague, a new story, a child mistakenly writes a science fiction story when he should have written a research paper.
Overall, an outstanding issue in this marvelous anthology. The stories all get better while the new stories carry the spirit, while adding different spices. The art is always appealing. Altogether, a great issue, where the reader finds some new characters in the playground.
Story: Steven Horry, Dave Cook, Matt Warner, Simon Banks, Aaron Walther, Tom Ward, James Andrew Clark
Art: Catia Fantini, Norrie Millar, Ed Bickford, Vincent Hunt, Lyndon White, Enzo Pertile
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
Stories comes in all shapes and forms, and they cross so many genres, that some genres have their own genres. That is why when anthologies are put together, rarely do they work in more than one genre. The reason for this is that they rarely go together, but Comichaus has found a way. They are what you expect from an indie publisher in comics, producing high quality comics that tell good stories.
British comics are full of great creators, and because of it the comics world has evolved and even stepped up their game. The influence of Alan Moore looms over any writer/artist who writes anything dealing with superheroes or the occult. The way he deals with hard subjects and his mastery of the inner conflicts of characters more than proves he is a master storyteller. His influence on the medium can be felt everywhere not only on British creators but also here in America.
Anthologies are great showcases for artists/writers to show off their work, especially when they are starting off. What one finds in these collections, are sometimes duds, and sometimes gems. When it comes to book anthologies, depending on the editor, you might try to slog through a few, to get to a good one, and sometimes you don’t have too deep into, as sometimes these anthologies are nothing but gems. In the comics real, the same issue exists, as the editor dictates the tone and quality of the project.