Advance Review: Tales From The Pandemic
From Band Of Bards
Coming soon from Band Of Bards is a new anthology comic - Tales From The Pandemic - and here are some advanced thoughts on it.
An anthology of 8 stories to mark the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the world continues to try to make sense of these events, an extraordinary group of comics creators tell their tales in an attempt to express their feelings and experiences.
(W) Mario Candelaria, Danny Earls, James Ferguson (A) Andy Michael, J. Paul Schiek, Randy Haldeman, Joe Hunter, Dan Buksa, Sachi Ediriweera, Laura Helsby, Adam Ferris (CA) Skylar Patridge
A selection of short stories with an overriding theme - the pandemic1. Band Of Bards have a good selection of stories that fans (like me) of 2000 AD’s Future Shocks will enjoy.
After the intro - told in a good Twilight Zone way - we get a good beginning, with a dark story of those who were staying inside but also taking advantage of the pandemic. It’s a dark beginning, but with some good reactions from those involved.
Lips is a chilling story with some childlike innocence and a twist ending. I like the way it is told and the girls’ thoughts being said out loud.
Litterbug is a welcome revenge story with the main character getting what he deserves. I still see people like this, and it gives me a wry smile.
Returning to the masks, we get a different look at some smug people. It has something that I think many would recognise, and some good points are shown.
Stride is a dark story with some good action and a brilliant twist at the end - this one kept me thinking a lot.
Flight 616 was well told with some brilliant framing - especially the last couple of panels. I wonder how that would play out in real life?
Happy Hour has a bit of a different story - partly funny and a little sad in a way. I like how it plays out, though.
We get some self-medication in Home Remedy, and I think I knew where this was heading. All the ‘cures’ for COVID going around made me think about some of those ideas.
Before the outro, we get a good Twilight Zone-style story with some dark shadows and a well-done finish.
This is an excellent read for fans of the horror/sci-fi genre, with some excellent art and well-plotted stories.
Pandemic - not quarantine - that is a…different anthology of which I hold views.