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REVIEW: William of Newbury
3.53/5.0 Stars
Rating if the Book Were a Movie: PG
Creative Team
Writer: Michael Avon Oeming
Art: Michael Avon Oeming
Letters: Michael Avon Oeming
Editor: Daniel Chabon
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Ratings
Story: 3.8 Stars
Interior Artwork: 3.8 Stars
Cover Artwork: 3.8 Stars
Dialogue: 3.4 Stars
Mechanics: 3.2 Stars
Editing: 3.2 Stars
About the Book:
Father William is a priest trying to do good. He is trying to make a difference and banish evil spirits while doing work for a monastery, only to discover the monastery cares more about coins than making the difference that Father William is trying to do. So he sets off on his own against the wishes of the monastery to make that difference. But while getting to travel he enlists the very people who are considered lawbreakers just to get the help he feels he needs.
Reviewer’s Notes:
This is a cute little story, all the characters are one type of animal or another. But it covers a very loosely a very serious time in history during the 12th century, known as “The Anarchy” when England was in a civil war.
Stories that are loosely based on real life events are always something to take with a grain of salt, and while this one is no different. Unless you actually look up the book on the publisher’s site you would not know it was based on said events.
The stories of people trying to make a difference have been around for a long time, and this is no different. As much as it is a possible spin and retelling of actual events. The main character is loveable and relatable, which I feel holds the interest quite well. I think that will add to the story and help unleash the potential of the story very nicely.
The cover is very well done. Showing the main character in a cemetery with spirits around him going boldly into the fray to make a difference. While the story can be a serious situation, the cuteness of the story is what caught my attention in the first place, adding to the draw that made me interested in the story.
The internal art matches the story quite well, its clean lines, brilliant colors and use of emotions on the character themselves, allows the reader to feel what is going on as they read the story. Which helps keep the interest of the reader quite nicely.
Between the way this story is written and the colors presented I think this a brilliant way to get younger readers into the world of comics. While there is some temper flare up in some characters, there is really nothing that I would say that this book is required for 13 and up. Which again adds to the younger reader category and makes it more enjoyable.
As your curator of the Historical Documents of the Imagination I hope you enjoyed your visit! If you enjoyed my review of this story please support the creators of this story!
May the historical documents of the imagination always inspire! Thanks for reading!
