REVIEW: BREATH OF SHADOWS

3.26/5.0 Stars
Rating if the Book Were a Movie: R

Creative Team 

• Writer: Rich Douek
• Artist: Alex Cormack
• Letters: Justin Birch
• Cover: Bjorn Barends
• Editor: Chase Marotz
• Publisher: IDW Publishing

Ratings 

• Story: 3.2
• Interior Artwork: 3.4
• Cover Artwork: 3.5
• Dialogue: 3.3
• Mechanics: 3.2
• Editing: 3.0

About the Book:

The lead singer of a high profile band uses drug addiction to hide what he is seeing.  When he hits a creative impasse a book is suggested to him that sets him on a journey through the jungles of Mexico.

Reviewer’s Notes:

This story follows that of a high end band as they struggle at the top.  The story itself is something that I think all bands go through.  The thing that I found interesting when reading this story is that the drugs are keeping the lead singer from seeing something else.  Centipede’s crawling on or out of whoever he is looking at.

I have seen enough biography stories about bands that this story seems to hint at a bigger problem that is usually caused by some kind of mental issue.  One that for some reason that drugs seem to help prevent from happening through a self diagnosis method.

While the story has a basis in truth as far as what the band is going through, the lead singer goes on this quest to find his own personal miracle that might cure his current predicament.  I found this to be something that may have been played out before in various mediums across the board.  Now this is just the first book and it could improve.

The story has several covers for this book series, all are good.  The cover that I am highlighting shows what the main character is going through in the story. It is solidly done and I think shows the issues and demons that the main character is fighting quite well. Whether they be personal or otherwise.

The artwork itself matches the time period the book is set in, the end of the 60’s.  It shows the characters distinctly and makes sure to show the emotions of the characters as the story progresses.  All of which enhance the story as it goes, showing both the good and the bad in great detail to make sure the reader truly understands what’s going on with the characters.

Unfortunately while the story has potential it may not be something I continue reading.  I think I am going to have to check out the second book at my local comic book store and see if it improves enough to follow.  That said, by all means do not take my single word for this story.  If the subject matter is something that interests you by all means pick it up and take a look!

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May the historical documents of the imagination always inspire! Thanks for reading!