White Ash #1, from Scout Comics, brings us to a mining town where the drama is not all under ground!
In the first issue, Aleck is leaving the town of White Ash, departing for college. But there aren’t many around to say goodbye. His father is emotionally distant, a miner by trade. Meanwhile, it appears that a vicious killer is on the run, slaying as he goes. And it seems like he’s heading to White Ash!
As Aleck prepares to make his departure, he has a few final paycheques to collect. And that’s when the drama ramps up even more… the mine owner’s daughter, Lillian, is flirtatious and fun. Hmm, what could possibly go wrong??
Writer Charlie Stickney conducts the proceedings like a symphony. The settings, the dialogues, the strange names of the people, the strange killings. It’s well-paced, panel by panel, to lead us downward into the possible hell of twisted motives. Artist Conor Hughes (also on lettering) contributes a well-understood environment, characters who live and breathe the soot and sweat of a mining town. His facial expressions and choreography are top-notch. Colourist Fin Cramb gives us subtleties, rooms with tone and temperature. Smoke and sun, death and determination.
This miniseries, originally self-published by the creators, is being released monthly from Scout Comics with new covers and additional interior content. There are two additional issues of White Ash available in comic shops, and there is a Kickstarter running now. Recommended!
Scout Comics, White Ash #1, $3.99 for 31 pages of content. Assume Teen +
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