Sometimes I like to go back in time to read some great comics. While I was backpacking through Anaheim, a friend took me to a market there, and I found some discounted graphic novels. I enjoy a good read. I saw something from the past that gave me pause. Devils Due had a lot of great books back in the day, and Josh Blaylock was really onto something. He made quite a few amazing books to read out there, and this one is a fun nostalgia trip back in the 90s.
The Book
Kore: Lost in Abaddon
Written by Josh Blaylock
Illustrated by Tim Seeley
Colors by Studio F, Steve Cobb, and Ben Hunzeker
Letters by Dreamer Design
Graphic Design by Mike Norton
Publisher: Devil’s Due Publishing
Kore: Abaddon is about a down-on-his-luck loser named Alexander Crane who has serious gambling issues. He’s in deep with the wrong people, and it’s costing him everything, including his amazing girlfriend, who is far too good for him.
In the meantime, the Archean, a magician older than human civilization, is seeking an ancient power in the form of a demon. It just so happens his people are trying to capture it from the museum where Alex works. Desperate to pay off his debt, in an attempt to steal stuff, Alex finds himself bonded to a Mantikore, a magical demon. Now his problems escalate, as the Mantikore was what the Archean was looking for.
What follows is a heck of a chase as Alex is saved by magicians who oppose the Archean to keep this power away from him. The Archean proves just how powerful he is by dealing with them and forcing them to hire someone to find Alex to protect him. Alex, meanwhile, finds himself escaping to Abaddon, where he meets a magical sprite (better not call her a fairy if you know what’s good for you) who aids him in trying to adjust to his new world.
Soon, everything comes full circle as The Archean kidnaps Alex’s girlfriend, and Alex goes to rescue her. This is a story about taking responsibility for one’s actions. Before his transformation, Alex was a loser, and while he still has a long way to go, being Korean forces him to confront his mistakes and the consequences his actions have on other people. The Archean is a good foil as a lot of his actions are for similar reasons as Alex’s. Love.
Josh Blaylock is a solid storyteller in this comic. I can’t say it’s an unpredictable ride, but I love the world he’s created here, and Kore is a fun character with a lot of potential. I love Molli the Sprite, and dig the story told. Tim Seeley is an underrated penciler. People know him for his writing, and it’s great, but I love the character designs and the art. It’s solid throughout. Credit to Mike Norton for keeping the world consistent. The variety of colorists does show a bit, but it’s still held up well by Seeley’s work.
All in all, Kore is a solid piece of storytelling. If you like demons, magicians, and the fate of the world with a touch of love for the girl, this is for you.
The Business
Here’s the thing: sometimes things work out. Right this minute, I’m racing to get back to Canada as I’m finishing my North American trip. From July to April, I wandered. Seven months of serious travel with two months of a break in between. I gotta say North America is an amazing place. If you go to Canada, you’ll find overall nice people, with great food and a wonderful culture across a continent. If you go to the United States, you will find a variety of cultures and styles. It’s an amazing place, with kindness in unexpected directions.
I’m finishing North America, with Europe in the not-too-distant future. I’ve got to go home, rebuild a bit, and get more clients. So if you need a writer or editor, say hi. That said, I’ve done some wild adventures, and you can read about them on the Substack. JoshuaPantalleresco dot substack dot com. Check it out.
I may be submitting some SDCC panels too. Who knows? Just know that the world is an incredible place. There’s magic out there, and social media distorts it quite a bit. I encourage you to go out there and check it out.
That will do it. Next time, I may be sucking up to the boss again. Until then…
Stay inspired out there.
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