Indy-Pendant is the first column ever written by Brant W. Fowler running from May 2005 to January 2007. It's a focus on independent comics creators, publishers and titles. These are the reprinted archives, which were originally published on www.comicavalanche.com.
Week 22 - Originally published on November 6, 2005
What up my peeps? The second column in five days. You can't beat that, right? Seriously, I sincerely apologize for the lateness of last week's column and the two weeks that I missed all together since this column's inception. I am trying diligently to not miss a week from this point on.
So this week I read a few indy titles, but nothing was speaking to me. And you know me, I don't want to waste your time with books I don't feel you'll enjoy. So I kept reading and finally came across the subject of this week's column...
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Written by Dwight L. MacPherson
Pencilled by Mike Fiorentino and Fernando Acosta
Inked by Tony Devito
Colored by Michael Devito and Jon Conkling
Assists by Don Pielert and Josh Norwood
Lettered by Kel Nuttal
Narration is a hard thing to pull off and has to be used in the right types of stories at the right moments in said stories. In comics narration became played out because, like thought balloons, they were used to dump great lengths of exposition, and many times were filled with obvious facts that the reader could easily see through the art or defer from the conversations. They were written as if talking down to people, or talking to grade school students. That was fine when the comic audience consisted of this age group, but not for the last 15 or so years. Dead Men Tell No Tales from Arcana Studio got it right.
This book starts off with narration, which at first put me off because of the reasons stated above. However, as I kept reading I realized this was not your typical narration, but this was rather narration done correctly. The title reads like an adventure story, whether that be a movie or a novel. It contains similar elements, pacing and structure. At times it almost reads like a bedtime story, which in this case is a good thing. It is well written and well conceived. So things were looking up.
My second issue with the book was the fact that it was a pirate story. Pirate stories are difficult to pull off correctly. They usually either come out too serious, too goofy, too gory or what have you. Take Crossgen's acclaimed El Cazador. It started off good with a strong female lead, but the book became weighed down by the seriousness of it and thus lost readers, myself being one of them. This story doesn't do that. It mixes the appropriate amount of seriousness with the appropriate amount of humor with the appropriate amount of gore.
So now that my reservations had been appeased it was all about the story itself and the artwork, which is amazing. When I first saw the cover to issue one it compelled me to want to pick this up regardless of any issues I may have, and the interiors did not disappoint either. The panel structuring and the layouts fit the story exceptionally and the emotion in the characters' faces is spot on. There's one scene where Capn' Kidd's first mate, Kibble is telling the men they're going after a grand treasure and it features several crew members, most looking at each other apprehensively. The expressions are priceless and could not have been done better. The action scenes are full of adventure and descriptively express the events of each scene. I didn't notice one unnecessary panel where something 
wasn't being used to further the story in some fashion. The book is just beautifully illustrated, and these artists have quite a future ahead of them. Not to mention the lettering, which is awesome as well and doesn't detract from the scenes. There are some very subtle touches added in throughout that really add to the experience. And the colors resonate the mood and tone of the content exquisitely.
So all that was left to potentially turn me off was the story, and thankfully it was/is as good as the rest of the elements that make this book so special. The story is about a lot of different people in a lot of different situations, but it's ultimately about the treasure of God and the curse upon those that selfishly seek it, including the stalking of one unjustly murdered former first mate. I mean, what pirate tale is a true pirate tale without treasures, curses and the undead, right?
The story jumps from time period to time period uncovering facts and plot points using the narration to lead the reader to the ultimate finale, whatever it may be. The pacing works and the hints and revelations enrich the story and the whole reading experience.
"That's great, but what's it about", you ask? Beware, thar be spoilers ahead!
The story starts off with Capn' Kidd and first mate Kibble coming across a glorious treasure, but Kibble settles on a rusty trinket. Turns out it's an ancient inscribed object containing a treasure map to God's treasure! Fast forward 20 years and poor Mr. Kibble, the lone survivor of Capn' Kidd's crew after a tussle with a hurricane, is shot point blank in the face by the notorious Black Beard. Go forward a little more and it's revealed that Black Beard's first mate is devising a way to steal the map as he is working for Black Heart. Travel back in time a bit as we see how it is the treasure was buried in the first place by a few (not so) noble men. And finally back to Black Beard as his ship approaches an island inhabited by Black Heart, we see Kibble, who is now undead, emerge from the sea as issue two comes to an end. And the plot thickens.
This book kept me interested from the first page and has guaranteed my readership through its completion. Great story, great art, great book! Avalanche Rating of 9.0, 'cause that's how I roll.
B.-Out
CREATOR UPDATE
Dwight MacPherson enjoyed continued success on the independent level with books such as Edgar Allan Poo at Image, Gene Simmons House of Horror at IDW, and Kid Houdini and the Silver Dollar Misfits from Viper to name a few. He also currently has a title on Zuda called Sidewise.
Brant W. Fowler / Writer, Letter, Creator, Reviewer, Columnist and Comic Related PR Coordinator
Brant W. Fowler has been a professional comic book letterer and logo designer for three years, and has been a freelance editor for the past five years. He has also worked with graphic design, writing and many other area of skills for several years honing his talents. You can learn all about what he's up to by visiting Gonzogoose Design. Brant is also a member of the core operations team at Comic Related.
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