So here it is, the opening sequence for one of the series highlights of this comic year.
That much is clear. It was clear even before we saw the first images.
It was enough for Tom King and Bilquis Evely to announce that they were writing a new series together. Because after Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, we all knew the two of them together were pure magic.
For Tom King is not just a comic author, but a novelist. And Bilquis Evely is not just a comic artist, but an illustrator. Both love the details and always aim to get the best out of this genre.
Pure magic, that should also describe Helen of Wyndhorn #1 briefly but precisely. Because what King and Evely - once again supported by Matheus Lopes, who has a wonderful understanding of how to color this detailed, art nouveau-style artwork - present to us here had me spellbound from the first to the last page.
The characters are all very well developed and immediately come to life.
There is Helen, the lost child, who idolizes and misses her father, a recently deceased famous pulp writer, and has her own ways of dealing with grief. And probably trauma as well as some other issues from her upbringing.
Then of course the narrator of this story, Lilith, who has been appointed by Helen’s grandfather as Governess to look after Helen from now on.
But Joseph, the butler, is also a wonderfully quirky character.
And you can guess from the appearance on the last page that the landlord of Wyndhorn’s massive estate, Helen’s Grandfather, will certainly not be a boring character either.
Yes, what else can I tell you about this graphic novel that is exactly what these two words suggest?
Tom King writes a gripping story in his inimitable style that begins as a historical novel and culminates as a fantasy piece with pulp feel.
Bilquis Evely treats us with fantastic artwork, somewhere between art nouveau, comic and book illustrations.
And you can lose yourself completely in both the story and the images. Which I will gladly do in series from now on.
You can subscribe to the "Helen of Wyndhorn" series at Walt's Comic Shop through Manage Comics.
Simply click HERE.
Helen Of Wyndhorn #1 Cover A Evely
€11,00
From the Eisner award-winning and bestselling creative team of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comes this Gothic sword and sorcery epic that's Conan the Barbarian meets The Wizard of Oz. Following the tragic death of her late father C.K. Cole, the… read more