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Review: ‘The Occultist’ #1

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11 years ago

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Mike Richardson, Tim Seeley and Mike Norton’s “The Occultist” #1 is a dark sliver of escapist entertainment, that’s crawling with the kind of vision and foresight Dark Horse Comics needs to expand their burgeoning superhero line. While maintaining the perfect balance of horror and occultism, the first installment establishes its coming-of-age narrative, and builds on the Occultist’s origin story, in a way that will surely resonate with readers.

WRITTEN BY: Tim Seeley
ART BY: Mike Norton
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: October 2, 2013

Having first debuted as a one-shot in 2010, followed by a three-issue miniseries in 2011, and a featured short in Dark Horse Presents last year, “The Occultist” is finally back for another supernatural adventure at Dark Horse Comics. To shed some light on the established universe so far, protagonist Rob Bailey, a mild-mannered college student, comes across an ancient magical book of spells called ‘The Sword against the Dead.’ He is chosen by the book to become the wielder of the Sword, also known as the Occultist; sworn to protect all those living and dead, from the forces of evil.

Seeley writes Rob with as much depth and believability the protagonist needs for him to become an authentically engaging character. But it’s his inescapable destiny and abilities as the wielder of the Sword that will compel readers to care about his tale. While his specific calling as ‘the chosen one’ isn’t remotely relatable, his exposition of humanity — be it through common insecurities, personal relationships, academia, etc. — will allow readers to see themselves in Mike Richardson’s creation.

Seeley and Norton’s five-part miniseries picks up close to where the last book ended, with Rob settling into his role as the Occultist. It also sees the return of ally and foe; Detective Anna Melendez and Technoshaman Aiden Beck, respectfully. The story will explore Beck’s attempts to get the Sword to reject the Occultist, while he’s duplicitously disguised as Rob’s mentor, Mr. James Charles. By the end of the issue, readers are introduced to an intriguing, magic practicing, Catholic schoolgirl, who will play a vital role in the overall narrative.

Mike Norton’s artwork opens the series with a visual bang. Wonderfully energetic illustrations that encompass the horror, supernatural, and action/adventure genres explode within the first eight pages of the book. From fighting hungry demon babies in an orphanage, to murdering birds in a church for a quick high, there are so many artistic gems to revel over; particularly Allen Passalaqua’s greens when dealing with mystical energy and glowing occult symbols. Norton impresses with his clean and crisp line work, as well as his knack for rendering visually expressive faces that emote seamlessly through the panels.

The latest Occultist series is shaping up to be another hit for Dark Horse Comics, and is proving to be a commendable addition to the superhero genre.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – ShadowJayd

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‘The Toxic Avenger’ Returns with Cover Artwork for First Issue of New Comic Book Series [Exclusive]

Published

5 days ago

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May 13, 2024

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With a remake on the way and a new 4K restoration of the original classic now streaming, it’s a good time to be a fan of Troma’s The Toxic Avenger. Additionally, Matt Bors — the founder of The Nib and a political cartoonist who has twice been named a Pulitzer Prize finalist —and acclaimed artist Fred Harper (Snelson) are collaborating on an all-new 5-issue comic book series starring the satirical superhero of the Troma Films cult classic films!

TOXIC AVENGER #1 will land in stores on October 9, 2024.

While you wait, you can exclusively check out the issue #1 cover art from Fred Harper below, along with a set of emojis designed by Harper for the extremely online teens of Tromaville.

“The Toxic Avenger delivers what Troma fans want,” said AHOY Comics Editor-in-Chief Tom Peyer. “The series has violent action, gross mutations, bursting pustules, eye-popping visuals, and trenchant humor.” 

“If there was ever a superhuman hero for these toxic, miserable times, Toxie is the one!” said Lloyd Kaufman. “Only AHOY Comics and Bors & Harper could pull this off…er…mop this up! Toxie and the Troma Team can’t wait ‘til you read -no, experience – the art and stories that the Toxic Avenger Comic Book will explode in your brain, your soul, and your heart. Above all, remember – Toxie loves you and so do I.”

“This series will combine elements of the original films with the Toxic Crusaders cartoon and characters in familiar ways, updated to tell a story of environmental devastation, corporate control, and social media mutation,” said Bors. “The Toxic Avenger is first and foremost an environmental satire, one about a small town and its unremarkable people trapped and transformed by circumstances they don’t control. The story Fred Harper and I are telling is about people frustrated by authorities telling them not to worry about their life, that things are fine, even as their dog mutates in front of their eyes. And at its core it is about a powerless boy, Melvin, who finds out he can be incredibly strong, hideously mutated, well-admired, and incredibly heroic… but still ultimately powerless over human behavior.”

In The Toxic Avenger, teenager Melvin Junko helps run his parent’s junkyard in Tromaville, a small town in New Jersey where nothing much ever happens — until an ill-timed train derailment of toxic waste transforms Melvin into a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength: the Toxic Avenger!

Under a media blackout imposed by Biohazard Solutions (BS) and their PR-spewing Chairwoman Lindsay Flick, Melvin emerges as a hero fighting against BS and the mutated threats that keep popping up around Tromaville.

Eventually Melvin uncovers a vast conspiracy more far-reaching than he could have ever imagined — but he knows if everyone is simply made aware of the crisis, they’ll act to stop it. Right?

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