The Dependents #1 – Review

Martin Fisher (Writer/Creator), Ben Hansen (Penciler), Levi Skeen (Inker)

This black and white offering from Alterna Comics opens up with a question on the nature of relationships, for young Tara Morgan is involved in a rather complicated dependent relationship. At a lonely, low point in her life, when she really needs someone, a blob-like entity engulfs her. This entity exists inside Tara but needs to release itself periodically. The complication is that when this entity assumes control it becomes a taloned, blood-thirsty killing machine. Tara is acutely aware of the creature’s nature and becomes a fugitive while trying to figure out a way to coexist with its insatiable need for blood. Tara resolves in attempting to turn the creature towards a useful purpose with mixed results and an effective cliffhanger ending.

I can’t claim to have liked this book when I initially read it, but I nevertheless felt strangely drawn to it. So I’ve re-read it a few times and it’s grown on me. It has its weak points, but it has some strong points as well. I like that Martin Fisher wastes no time in getting his story started. Within the first three pages we have a sense of who the lead character is and what has happened to her. As the story progresses we get a good sense of the inner turmoil and struggle between Tara and the entity that now resides inside her.

One of the strengths of the artwork is in the storytelling. We get a nice variety of layouts, settings, and camera angles. The creature, particularly in its first full manifestation, looked pretty cool. There is enough here to keep the story moving along smoothly and to keep the eye interested. In addition, Levi Skeen seems to have a nice feel for the black and white medium. He provides nice textures and his inking is a plus for the book.

On the other hand, I wasn’t clear from the beginning if Tara was a college student or a high school student. From her style of dress I would have guessed high school, but from the school setting I would have guessed college. I had to read up on Alterna’s website to learn that she is 16. I think that should have been clearer, she seems pretty street smart and savvy for a 16 year old. While I liked the storytelling and the inking there are times when the artwork lacks sophistication, particularly in the longer shots of the human figure and the faces of the characters. I’ll readily admit that the artwork was one of the stumbling blocks for me to overcome after my first reading.

I did find the ending compelling. I want to find out what happens so I will be reading and reviewing the second issue. There is enough of interest here to bring me back and see where it goes. Best of all is that you can download the book for yourself for free to check it out. Head on over to Alterna Comics’ website and look for the downloads, you’ve got nothing to lose. There is definitely some real potential here. (Grade: B-)

– Arthur Cooke

Risers #1 – Review

By Martin Fisher (writer), Kurt Belcher (pencils), Steve Farfan (inks)

Risers came out last year, but this is the first I’ve ever heard of it. But then again, I’m not one to normally stray into indy territory. This book is totally not what I expected. I thought I’d be getting another typical zombie story or “Walking Dead” survival horror tale, but instead, I got something almost more human than human. Let me explain…

Risers begins with the the funeral of a young woman named Annette. Her death was nothing significant, she was hit by a car as her brother watched in horror. Her family has had months to mourn and get their lives back together when lo and behold, Annette comes home. She’s a zombie, alright, but all is not what it seems.

In this world, people who rise from the dead aren’t the mindless cannibals we’ve become accustomed to. They feel and think like humans. Annette is eventually apprehended and brought to an institution where “Risers” are educated about their new lease on life. Apparently, if a person dies and has some sort of “unfinished business” or sin they committed, they come back as a zombie and cannot rest until they make their peace. What seems to be Annette’s dilemma is the fact that she’s actually done nothing wrong to anyone… ever. This doesn’t stop her family from believing the contrary, however. They think she’s hiding some deep, dark secret.

But what if she’s not lying? What if she’s lived a clean life? What could her purpose for being raised be? There are the type of questions that not only nag at Annette, but the doctor who has been treating her. He’s got a theory, but it’s yet to be revealed.

I love this book’s premise. It brings a whole new twist to the zombie genre and it’s a very welcome one at that. Annette is a bit whiney as a protagonist, but that’s to be expected, especially if she’s this “goodie-goodie” person that she claims to be. She’s very human in essence, and I found the way her family treated her to be more callus and cruel than almost anything I’d see in a zombie flick.

This is a good start to the series. Kurt Belcher and Stever Farfan do an excellent job conveying the tone of the story with their stark black and white imagery. There’s times where it’s a bit too dark for my tastes, but otherwise, very solid storytelling. Great work, guys! If you’re interested in reading this book, Alterna Comics has a first four issues up for download here.  (Grade: A-)

– J. Montes