Customer Reviews

Elk's Run

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If there were more like this, the stigma "comics are for kids" wound not exist. Elk's Run has many elements for a great horror story, isolated town, cast of distinct and interesting characters, a mystery that thats draws you in, and atmosphere that wont let up. Almost from the first page you get the feeling "something is terribly wrong here". All the character go through believable arcs, and the story comes to a satisfying conclusion. If you are a fan of the Image Comics series "Girls" or "walking dead" or into horror novels that focus more on the human drama "The Stand" then this is more than worth looking into. I'll definitely be looking for to what they have in store next.

It's a real treat for those of us who followed the book through its (shall we say) bumpy publishing history to finally get the whole story in one volume. With half of the book's 224 pages as previously-unseen material, picking up this book is a no-brainer even if you have picked up every ELK'S RUN issue out so far. And what you would get is a book put together by a creative team firing on all cylinders.

Fialkov's coming-of-age story, while relatively straightforward, unfolds using points of view from multiple characters. Done often (and often poorly), he manages to give the story real weight by picking the right POVs and using them each to maximum effect. Once the story grabs you with its well-drawn characters, it doesn't let go, taking you on a tension-filled ride with a satisfying conclusion. And what could be better than that?

The book's art (linework by Noel Tuazon and colors by Scott Keating) really gives this story its own distinctive look. Tuazon's art may be a little roughly defined at times, but it always manages to convey exactly what each scene needs, which is the essence of good comic storytelling. He's also helped out by Keating's evocative coloring. Like a good cinematographer to Tuazon's director, Keating's excellent sense of using color to enhance mood makes this story hit the reader on more than one level.

Aiding and abetting these three are letterist Jason Hanley, chapter artist Datsun Tran, and editor Jason Rodriguez. Hanley's job is probably the least recognized of the three; the better he does it, the least likely anyone will notice. But the fact that reading and understanding Fialkov's words in this story is an effortless endeavor means he has done it exceptionally well. Datsun Tran was the original series cover artist, and it's good to see his interpretations of the story's events included in the book. And finally, Jason (Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened) Rodriguez kept everyone's eye on the prize of telling a really good story, for which he should get the reader's thanks.