August 08, 2006

Reviewed by Matt Butcher / Writer for Independent Propaganda

Created and written by David Bircham and Daley Osiyemi
Art by Daley Osiyemi
Produced by Pulp Theatre Entertainment
Published by Markosia

“What would the law mean, if every day had a different face? I came to possess the power of anonymity and with it I became a law unto myself. But it came with a heavy price. Each journey into the body of another took me further into the darker recesses of the human mind. I am no longer alone-the voices within are getting louder.”

The concept to this new book is intriguing. Apparently, the only way for Jack Brodie to save his son was by taking an experimental chemical formula that allowed him to take over the minds of others. In essence, he rides piggyback on other souls. This allows him in close to his enemies.

In issue #7, the only full issue available for review straight from the creator, and an eight-page preview of issue #8, Jack Brodie has spent too much time in the mind of one Harry Wade. With the help of his female research assistant friend, Tomokai, they bust out of police-protection in a hospital. It is the only way to get Jack out of Harry in order to save him. However, Tomokai's honor-bound brother is coming after them too.

This is another decent independent read. The art is attractive and engaging. Actually, it reminds one of the comic art from old Mad magazines with the character faces. The colors differentiate panels and moods and seem calming because they do not separate each individual color but rather blend areas in. It's neat and different. The art is well done and moves along well.

It's a shame that I only caught this book with issue #7. I feel that I was reading the tale-end of the storyline, although it picked up well. There was a much needed introduction page on the inside front cover a la Marvel Comics. It had some fastidious text boxes to get into the head of the characters, something I have noticed has been lacking from some comics lately. Issue #8 picked up in the very next panel where #7 left off and I am glad I had already read the previous issue for it to all come together. Fast-paced and action-packed, the writing and the art blended well together as frames actually told some of the story. All you had to do was look in the panel to see what the character did in the white space and it was all figured out without having been explicitly told. When art and writing come together neatly, it reminds us of a great comic book read.