Ablaze’s Children Of The Black Sun continues in issue 3 to mystify, horrify and entertain us.
After the devastating effects of two Black Sun events, children have been born who differ from other children. Brightvale, a microcosm perhaps of the whole world, is forever changed. “The town’s descent into madness is already taking hold and turning the world on its head.”
Writer Dario Sicchio paints the dark tones in word and deed, with the older children seeking out a source of wisdom to advise new recruits. Okay, the “source” happens to live in a sewer duct, but still, oh, and can extend his neck, and is supernaturally able to chant disturbing advice, but it´s all good. Or is it?
I marvel, and perhaps you will too, at Sicchio´s ability to turn the 2023 ¨funny book¨ page into a vehicle of disturbing unease, of threat, foreboding and sinister subplot.
Artist Letizia Cadonici inhabits her panels, her pages, her visuals with slender, manipulative people, plotting silently, smugly wrapped in random graphic shapes, outlined in simplicity and complicity. The Francesco Segala colours are muted except for the crimson blobs of pain and entrancement. Letters by Ingegni, edited by Kevin Ketner, with assistant editor Amy Jackson.
Highly recommended, but try to jump back and start with issue 1 for the full eerie ‘feels’.
Ablaze, Children Of The Black Sun #3, $3.99 for 23 pages main story content. Mature.
Newsdesk