Aftershock Comics: Backways, Dark Ark, Monstro Mechanical, Animosity, Fu Jitsu, Pestilence
Reviews on the following Aftershock comics:
Backways Issues 2-5
Dark Ark Issues 1-4
Monstro Mechanica Issues 2-5
Animosity Issues 12-14
Animosity Evolution Issues 4-5
Fu Jitsu Issue 5
Pestilence Issue 6
Pestilence: Story of Satan Issue 1
Individual series information can be found here
Series: Backways
Issues: 2-5
Rating: 2.5-2.75/5 stars
I think this is the first time I’ve given a range in rating, and it’s because of a mixture of character development and content. I don’t trust Coyote Bones from the start of issue 2 and Anna frustrates me to no end. Even when things are explained to HER, she won’t give others the same respect but instead lashes out in brashness and selfishness. “I NEED SYLVIA.”
“Okay, but-”
“WHERE IS SYLVIA?!”
“…”
“SYLVIA!!!!!”
By the end of issue 5, I wanted to punch her in the face.
I do like that there are five categories of knacks that a being can have, though the way those knacks manifest may be different. A person can only ever have one knack, unless they tap into evil so extreme that even traditional “evil” beings want to prevent another desolation-one that can end up destroying the world.
I like how there are charms to protect against knacks.
I guess, in a way, I can compare it to Azrael in Dogma, where even Satan didn’t want the end of the world because he wanted to exist, but Azrael was mad at both the devil and God.
Here though…this is like evil incarnate. Even worse than the Christian devil.
Because it’s unknown whether Anna or Sylvia *may* be related to a future desolation, many beings are seeking out both. This includes the Fell children, who are creepy but not as bad as Fell himself. I felt slimy reading him.
I love how issue 4 delves into the history of the Backways, including the first desolation and why Wendy is bat crazy.
Series: Dark Ark
Issues: 5-6
Rating: 4.3/5 stars
Again, the art isn’t the best, but the story is intriguing enough that I can ignore the art.
The story in these two issues became a bit more interesting.
Angels come and think Shrae is Noah, who had recently begged God for help. Given the fact that one of Shrae’s responsibilities is to prevent harm from coming to Noah’s ark, he is told he must go and determine the help Noah needs.
It’s sad that the Dark Ark must hide from the angels, but it’s also understandable. The shock comes from the unicorns, and the revelation that comes after they struggle to ask for help from the angels.
Or really, revelations.
Issue 6 brought about some neat flashbacks about Shrae and his family from before the flood, and the evils the people in the world had really wrought.
The shock at Noah’s ark makes me really wish issue 7 was already out.
Series: Monstro Mechanica
Issues: 2-5
Rating: 5/5 stars
I was so happy to read that Isabel was able to learn from her mistakes, and that she’s not as selfish as I initially thought her to be.
I actually liked that the machine exactly obeys Isabel’s orders, because it shows that there really isn’t sentience there. Still, the fact that Isabel hadn’t been resetting it means that it only knows violence, and da Vinci has to blatantly explain to her just why this is dangerous.
And yet, he takes advantage of the situation and it ends up being a crazy ride for, well, everyone.
I smiled at the end. It was a great way to end Volume 1.
There were some people and events that I wanted to look up:
- Alessandro Medici (mainly because he looks black here, and that makes me super curious) (ooohhhh, that all sorts of controversial)
- Siege of Volterra (I looked this up after issue 1 and didn’t find anything, but I want to try again) (OK so it seems like that is fictional, but it seems so real)
- Porco Dio (I fail at not knowing what ‘porco’ means) (WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!)
I never knew that da Vinci was non-individualistic, though it fits in with the Christian culture he was steeped in.
Series: Animosity
Issues: 12-14
Rating: 5/5 stars
Excuse me while I break down sobbing yet again.
This series-especially the original-continues to be the only comic [series] that affects me so. I am deeply attached to Jessie and Sandor, as well as some of the side character (both human and animal).
Jessie is fantastic and I hate to see her betrayed over and over again. I don’t blame her telling Sandor that she’s ready for it all to just stop, ready to give up. She’s too young to carry this on her own, and so many other humans have already hit their breaking points.
I almost feel like I’m reading the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, where anyone can die. I’m pretty certain Jessie won’t, but I’m not holding my breath for anyone else.
That does not mean that any purposeful injuries or deaths (both natural and murderous) don’t hurt. It just feel like I’m on the edge of a cliff waiting for the push to happen with each page.
The bees are essential to life and they won’t let anyone forget. I understand them, though I grow to not like them so much. Still, they were enslaved and I don’t fully dislike them.
The cover for issue 13 though doesn’t make much sense.
Sandor’s devastation was heartbreaker number 1 of the three issues.
Heartbreaker number 2 happened at the start of issue 14. I’m a little confused with the gathering of animals afterwards, as everything seems hunky dory, but it livened me a bit.
Heartbreaker 3 came later in 14 and it also angered me.
I get frustrated with Kyle, but I understand his reasoning. I DON’T fully understand his actions.
I abhor the walled city. And then it creeps me out with its cultish feeling. The Headmistress makes me want to shower; she is slimy.
Series: Animosity: Evolution
Issues: 4-5
Rating: 4/5 stars
I love the colors of this, and I’m getting used to the different art from the main series.
My thoughts are scrambled.
Penny and Octavia are in trouble, and find themselves in a precarious situation.
I don’t like Kazi the turtle.
The leopard though, is even worse.
We learn a lot more of the Animata, and Wintermute. I don’t know if I still like her, really. Although it tugs at my heartstrings to see her react to Adam in certain ways, she is conniving and calculating. Even the leopard sees it and understands his life is void in the future if she has her way.
But I do like that she and Adam want to reach out and comfort each other like they used to. It’s obvious how awkward her hybrid nature has made the relationship.
Others really don’t like her and go after those she trusts most. This includes destroying the Animata from the inside out.
In issue 5, the two-page spread of the leopard’s eyes physically took me aback.
Everything with Mya made me sad. It was worse when I found out what she really had been doing. I wonder if she knew the depths of that betrayal.
Issue 5 ends on a very intense (and sad) note. It’s not as emotionally extreme (read: devastating) as the regular ‘Animosity’ series, but it’s still powerful.
Series: Fu Jitsu
Issue: 5
Rating: 3/5 stars
Fu vs. Wadlow: Who is the hero? Who is the villain?
What do each of those words even mean?
I don’t know how I feel about a cyber-human hybrid child.
The art during the fight, especially with the multiple Fus, the reborn Fus, was great.
The end was actually satisfying.
Regarding the story, I could take it or leave it. The art and paneling and the technical aspects of the comic in general were very good.
I liked the pinups provided at the end.
Series: Pestilence
Issue: 6
Rating: 4.2/5 stars
Roderick Helms and the rest of Fiat Lux work to uncover the truth of the “Word of God” in time to save humanity.
And by the power of God through the Holy Grail, they are able to do so.
Unfortunately, the surviving members of the group become the most wanted men by the new Pope.
(Side note: Here, Aftershock takes liberties and alters history by having Clement VI die before his true time).
The end is beautiful.
Series: Pestilence: Story of Satan
Issue: 1
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Giving this a lower rating-even though the style is the same and the story continues 4 years after Issue 6 of the first “Pestilence” book began-because it’s freaking me out.
The Satanic possession of a surviving/cured zombie made me feel…cold. The only reason I’ll keep reading is because the REAL Fiat Lux survivors will be out dealing with the demonic plague.
I specify ‘real’ because Price, as the new Pope, put together the group with new members.
I do like how “The Risen” (cured zombies) have formed almost a religious sect, thought parts of it do feel inky. It’s worse after the possession.
I also like how James sticks with his former crew and doesn’t join The Risen.
Backways Issues 2-5
Dark Ark Issues 1-4
Monstro Mechanica Issues 2-5
Animosity Issues 12-14
Animosity Evolution Issues 4-5
Fu Jitsu Issue 5
Pestilence Issue 6
Pestilence: Story of Satan Issue 1
Individual series information can be found here
Series: Backways
Issues: 2-5
Rating: 2.5-2.75/5 stars
I think this is the first time I’ve given a range in rating, and it’s because of a mixture of character development and content. I don’t trust Coyote Bones from the start of issue 2 and Anna frustrates me to no end. Even when things are explained to HER, she won’t give others the same respect but instead lashes out in brashness and selfishness. “I NEED SYLVIA.”
“Okay, but-”
“WHERE IS SYLVIA?!”
“…”
“SYLVIA!!!!!”
By the end of issue 5, I wanted to punch her in the face.
I do like that there are five categories of knacks that a being can have, though the way those knacks manifest may be different. A person can only ever have one knack, unless they tap into evil so extreme that even traditional “evil” beings want to prevent another desolation-one that can end up destroying the world.
I like how there are charms to protect against knacks.
I guess, in a way, I can compare it to Azrael in Dogma, where even Satan didn’t want the end of the world because he wanted to exist, but Azrael was mad at both the devil and God.
Here though…this is like evil incarnate. Even worse than the Christian devil.
Because it’s unknown whether Anna or Sylvia *may* be related to a future desolation, many beings are seeking out both. This includes the Fell children, who are creepy but not as bad as Fell himself. I felt slimy reading him.
I love how issue 4 delves into the history of the Backways, including the first desolation and why Wendy is bat crazy.
Series: Dark Ark
Issues: 5-6
Rating: 4.3/5 stars
Again, the art isn’t the best, but the story is intriguing enough that I can ignore the art.
The story in these two issues became a bit more interesting.
Angels come and think Shrae is Noah, who had recently begged God for help. Given the fact that one of Shrae’s responsibilities is to prevent harm from coming to Noah’s ark, he is told he must go and determine the help Noah needs.
It’s sad that the Dark Ark must hide from the angels, but it’s also understandable. The shock comes from the unicorns, and the revelation that comes after they struggle to ask for help from the angels.
Or really, revelations.
Issue 6 brought about some neat flashbacks about Shrae and his family from before the flood, and the evils the people in the world had really wrought.
The shock at Noah’s ark makes me really wish issue 7 was already out.
Series: Monstro Mechanica
Issues: 2-5
Rating: 5/5 stars
I was so happy to read that Isabel was able to learn from her mistakes, and that she’s not as selfish as I initially thought her to be.
I actually liked that the machine exactly obeys Isabel’s orders, because it shows that there really isn’t sentience there. Still, the fact that Isabel hadn’t been resetting it means that it only knows violence, and da Vinci has to blatantly explain to her just why this is dangerous.
And yet, he takes advantage of the situation and it ends up being a crazy ride for, well, everyone.
I smiled at the end. It was a great way to end Volume 1.
There were some people and events that I wanted to look up:
- Alessandro Medici (mainly because he looks black here, and that makes me super curious) (ooohhhh, that all sorts of controversial)
- Siege of Volterra (I looked this up after issue 1 and didn’t find anything, but I want to try again) (OK so it seems like that is fictional, but it seems so real)
- Porco Dio (I fail at not knowing what ‘porco’ means) (WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!)
I never knew that da Vinci was non-individualistic, though it fits in with the Christian culture he was steeped in.
Series: Animosity
Issues: 12-14
Rating: 5/5 stars
Excuse me while I break down sobbing yet again.
This series-especially the original-continues to be the only comic [series] that affects me so. I am deeply attached to Jessie and Sandor, as well as some of the side character (both human and animal).
Jessie is fantastic and I hate to see her betrayed over and over again. I don’t blame her telling Sandor that she’s ready for it all to just stop, ready to give up. She’s too young to carry this on her own, and so many other humans have already hit their breaking points.
I almost feel like I’m reading the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, where anyone can die. I’m pretty certain Jessie won’t, but I’m not holding my breath for anyone else.
That does not mean that any purposeful injuries or deaths (both natural and murderous) don’t hurt. It just feel like I’m on the edge of a cliff waiting for the push to happen with each page.
The bees are essential to life and they won’t let anyone forget. I understand them, though I grow to not like them so much. Still, they were enslaved and I don’t fully dislike them.
The cover for issue 13 though doesn’t make much sense.
Sandor’s devastation was heartbreaker number 1 of the three issues.
Heartbreaker number 2 happened at the start of issue 14. I’m a little confused with the gathering of animals afterwards, as everything seems hunky dory, but it livened me a bit.
Heartbreaker 3 came later in 14 and it also angered me.
I get frustrated with Kyle, but I understand his reasoning. I DON’T fully understand his actions.
I abhor the walled city. And then it creeps me out with its cultish feeling. The Headmistress makes me want to shower; she is slimy.
Series: Animosity: Evolution
Issues: 4-5
Rating: 4/5 stars
I love the colors of this, and I’m getting used to the different art from the main series.
My thoughts are scrambled.
Penny and Octavia are in trouble, and find themselves in a precarious situation.
I don’t like Kazi the turtle.
The leopard though, is even worse.
We learn a lot more of the Animata, and Wintermute. I don’t know if I still like her, really. Although it tugs at my heartstrings to see her react to Adam in certain ways, she is conniving and calculating. Even the leopard sees it and understands his life is void in the future if she has her way.
But I do like that she and Adam want to reach out and comfort each other like they used to. It’s obvious how awkward her hybrid nature has made the relationship.
Others really don’t like her and go after those she trusts most. This includes destroying the Animata from the inside out.
In issue 5, the two-page spread of the leopard’s eyes physically took me aback.
Everything with Mya made me sad. It was worse when I found out what she really had been doing. I wonder if she knew the depths of that betrayal.
Issue 5 ends on a very intense (and sad) note. It’s not as emotionally extreme (read: devastating) as the regular ‘Animosity’ series, but it’s still powerful.
Series: Fu Jitsu
Issue: 5
Rating: 3/5 stars
Fu vs. Wadlow: Who is the hero? Who is the villain?
What do each of those words even mean?
I don’t know how I feel about a cyber-human hybrid child.
The art during the fight, especially with the multiple Fus, the reborn Fus, was great.
The end was actually satisfying.
Regarding the story, I could take it or leave it. The art and paneling and the technical aspects of the comic in general were very good.
I liked the pinups provided at the end.
Series: Pestilence
Issue: 6
Rating: 4.2/5 stars
Roderick Helms and the rest of Fiat Lux work to uncover the truth of the “Word of God” in time to save humanity.
And by the power of God through the Holy Grail, they are able to do so.
Unfortunately, the surviving members of the group become the most wanted men by the new Pope.
(Side note: Here, Aftershock takes liberties and alters history by having Clement VI die before his true time).
The end is beautiful.
Series: Pestilence: Story of Satan
Issue: 1
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Giving this a lower rating-even though the style is the same and the story continues 4 years after Issue 6 of the first “Pestilence” book began-because it’s freaking me out.
The Satanic possession of a surviving/cured zombie made me feel…cold. The only reason I’ll keep reading is because the REAL Fiat Lux survivors will be out dealing with the demonic plague.
I specify ‘real’ because Price, as the new Pope, put together the group with new members.
I do like how “The Risen” (cured zombies) have formed almost a religious sect, thought parts of it do feel inky. It’s worse after the possession.
I also like how James sticks with his former crew and doesn’t join The Risen.