Lonnie Nadler writes a tremendous tale of travel and transition in Vault Comics’ Black Stars Above. The upcoming (JULY 29) trade collects issues 1-5 of this 2019 title.
The journey of Eulalie through the Canadian north, transporting a mysterious ‘being in a box’, is a strange and wonderful read. Nadler imbues the atmosphere with mystery, never revealing more than is necessary to wrap us tightly in the odd embrace of this tale. It’s cold out, it’s primitive, it’s olden days. Alone in the woods, Eulalie is on a mission to escape a bad situation: starvation, freezing, bullying, barren surroundings, the diminishing of the fur trade, the conflict with indigenous peoples.
Once on the road north, or on the snowbelt, or frozen river, Eulalie undergoes a change in mission as a stranger needs a parcel delivered. It’s this portion of the story that wanders deeper into a metaphysical trip. A mix of graphic storytelling and written prose, this book is a heavy undertaking, not a quick saunter into the snow-packed hills of northern Ontario and Manitoba.
Awesomely transfixing graphics by Jenna Gha, accompanied by moody colour from Brad Simpson and lettering by Hassan Ostmane Elhaou. Somber, old fashioned renderings, surreal to the core.
Vault Comics, Black Stars Above. Release date is JULY 29. Check with your local comic shop for price and ordering details. 140 pages.
Anthony Andujar Jr. 
Newsdesk