By Ernie Colón (Marvel)
ISBN: 0- 87135-490-X
Ernie Colón is a largely unsung maestro of the American comics industry whose work has affected generations of readers. Whether as artist, writer, colourist or even editor his contributions have affected the youngest of comics consumer (Monster in My Pocket, Richie Rich and Casper the Friendly Ghost for Harvey Comics and his work on Marvel’s Star Comics imprint) to the most sophisticated connoisseur with strips such as his startling indie thriller Manimal.
His catalogue of “straight†comic-book work includes Battlestar Galactica, Damage Control and Doom 2099 for Marvel, Grim Ghost for Atlas/Seaboard, Arak, Son of Thunder, Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld and The Medusa Chain graphic novel for DC where he also worked as a group editor, the Airboy revival for Eclipse, Magnus: Robot Fighter for Valiant and so very many others.
In 2006 with long-time collaborator Sid Jacobson he created a graphic novel of the 9/11 Commission Report entitled The 9/11 Report: a Graphic Adaptation. In August 2008, they released a 160-page follow-up: After 9/11: America’s War on Terror. Born in 1931 he’s still hard at work on the strip SpyCat which has appeared in Weekly World News since 2005.
During the first wave of experimental creativity that gripped the late 1980s he released this totally self-generated (he even lettered it himself) fantasy/science fiction thriller through Marvel’s oversized Graphic Novels line. Intriguing, complex and multi-layered it is the parable of a young peasant boy named Ax who seems to have all the trappings of a new messiah to his Feudal overlord.
But in the manner of Moebius’ Airtight Garage all is not what it seems. Many eyes are watching the boy and not all of them are from the same level of reality…
Blending social commentary, Apocalyptic dystopian futurism and traditional sword-and sorcery with fierce intensity and stunning visuals, this is yet another lost gem that couldn’t find an audience on its release, but at least it’s readily available through many online retailers and deserves another shot. It’s pretty cheap from most dealers, too…
© 1988 Ernie Colón. All Rights Reserved.