This week’s review is kind of from the way back when machine. Once upon a time at the Phoenix Comic Con, I had the pleasure of meeting Madeleine Holly-Rosing, the creative genius behind the book I’m about to review. I bought one of the early editions of this, and that’s what I’m going to review for this column.
Without further ado…
The Book
Boston Metaphysical Society #1
Written by Madeleine Holly-Rosing
Illustrated by Emily Hu
Colorists: Gloria Caeli and Fahriza Kamaputra
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Issue one begins with a death in the society. Andrew O’Sullivan, Assistant to Samuel Hunter dies at the hands of the wraiths they were hunting. At the funeral, everyone gathers. We see characters like Harry Houdini, Tesla, and others, each mourning Andrew’s loss. In the meantime, we meet Andrew’s daughter Caitlin O’Sullivan who can talk to ghosts. The ghost of her brother tells her to pursue the vacant job left by her father’s death.
Samuel Hunter meets Caitlin and at first, refuses to employ her. Persistence from her changes his mind (at least for this case) and the two are off, investigating a ghost haunting the estate of Jonathon Westmore. Caitlin’s ability to detect ghosts and medium is exactly what is needed to find the ghost. The duo with the aid of a scientist named Granville devise a way to capture the ghost.
For all intents and purposes, this is damn near a perfect first issue. You get a great sense of who the characters are and can see their motivations. Samuel Hunter wants to hunt down and deal with all the ghosts permanently. Caitlin’s own experiences with the ghosts give her a different perspective, which will no doubt lead to future conflict in future issues. You get a glimpse of who these characters are and what they are fighting for right away. The third character, Granville Woods, only appears briefly here, as he is a scientist providing the duo with the tools they need to do the job.
I haven’t even said the best part about this story. This is a steampunk adventure, that feels right at home with the same veins of Tom Strong or the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Secret societies, ghosts, great characters, and an intriguing world. This is a fantastic start to a great concept. Credit should go where it is due. Madeleine Holly-Rosing has a very clear vision of the world and the characters in it. That vision is powerful, Holly-Rosing is able to balance an inventive world with convincing, compelling characters with mysteries all their own.
Emily Hu is an amazing artist. Her illustrations are rife with life and wonder, and she’s just as comfortable showing darker horrors as well. The colorists do a fantastic job of depicting the world and adding depth to Hu’s pencils. The tone is set flawlessly.
All in all, this is a fantastic introduction to the series, which you can read right here. Take it from me, it’s fantastic. And if you like that, you can check out the Kickstarter currently going on right now. I cannot recommend this book enough. In comics, this is as good as you get.
The Business
Been doing lots of client work lately. The latest Wade’s World from Martheus Wade came out, which I put together and can be watched here. I’ve been producing and directing a massage therapy education show. It got moved to May, and it’s going to kick butt. On top of that, I’ve been doing some advertising for The Tinsley Boys. The first video dropped today. They have a Kickstarter page you can definitely check out as they launch their books on April 15th. Click here and let yourself be informed of the launch. If you like my advertising services, you can check them out here.
That will do it for this column. I’m not sure what I’m going to be reviewing next. The Blonde Assassin will show up at some point. But I think I’ll be reviewing a fun book I got from Marvel Comics next time. Don’t hold me to that.
In the meantime folks, stay inspired out there. Good things are afoot and you just have to go forward. Keep rocking out there.
About Author
