Reviews: Deathstalker & Beyond Real
New from Vault Comics
This week from Vault Comics there is Deathstalker #2 with more swords, sorcery and science, as well as the creative journey continuing in Beyond Real #4.
Deathstalker #2
Deathstalker is now a member of the most elite military unit in the realms, assigned to protect and serve all kingdoms...who can pay. When he and his new best buddy Jotak are assigned to clean out the forgotten keep known as Grimvault, Deathstalker must use his particular wizard-murdering skills or fall victim to magic darker than his little black heart.
Writers: Slash & Tim Seeley, Artist: Jim Terry, Colorist: Kurt Michael Russell, Letterer: Adnworld Design, Designer: Tim Daniel, and Cover A: Nathan Gooden
After being ‘enlisted’ Deathstalker has his first mission. It’s a fun and violent issue with giant pig people featuring heavily initially. I liked how this works out, and it establishes some good relationships for Deathstalker. You also find out his birth name!
The action continues with a new mission that shows the problems in the world as they are and hints at some possible future problems with more magic and science. The mix between the two is interesting, and there is a creepy aspect to that, where Deathstalker’s attitude may have caused him some future problems as well.
This continues to be an excellent series; after the introduction, we still have much to learn about this world. I love the art, and there is fun to be had with some of the action scenes and the facial expressions - especially right at the end…
Get it at Forbidden Planet:
Beyond Read #4
An artist's motivation. June and her friends finally reach the source, a central hub where they are pressured to relinquish their identities and join the ranks of creative automatons. When June dares to resist, she finds herself plunged into a world of darkness, facing her greatest enemy of all: herself.
Writer: Zack Kaplan, Artists: Fabiana Mascolo, Toni Fejzula, Vincenzo Riccardi, Dennis Menheere, Jorge Corona, Luana Vecchio, Liana Kangas, Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Designer: Tim Daniel, and Cover A: John J. Pearson
Our delve into the creative process continues, and this issue feels more frantic than the rest.
It really takes a deep dive into the creative process, giving us a look into what we are worth and why we do what we do. The reactions to this are well played out, and having these aspects pointed out brings forth some strong emotions for the characters. Things take a dark turn here as we move deeper with various layers, and the search continues.
The art makes up some key aspects of the story, not only in terms of the characters and action but also in the location and how our heroes find themselves. The colouring also adds tone and emotion to the whole story in a special way.
As we finish the issue, things look darkest, and this is wonderfully shown and leads us into the next issue.
