Panya: The Mummy’s Curse #1, from the Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, takes us wayyy back in time to ancient Egypt, Akhetaten to be precise, at the early year of 1339 BCE. In a palace in the desert.
Young Panya is being told fantastic stories of immense ships that float above the fields at night, with serpents and magic cats embroiled in battle. The old gods tales. But Panya’s mother doesn’t approve of these stories. She wants Panya to ’stick to the script’ of the palace, to learn the ‘right stuff’.
The Mummy’s Curse is a tightly weaved story, a fantasy with underpinnings in ancient times. Artist Christopher Mitten places the figures in big places: detailed huge courtyards and large living quarters. It’s the formal trappings of luxury, surrounded by walls of hieroglyphics and tapestries. But before we know it, these staid scenes are interrupted by ‘magic’, by sorcery perhaps!
Colourist Michelle Madsen gives depth and breadth to the wide spaces and magical moments. It ain’t all blue sky and sand, however, when the story progresses into something deep and mysterious. A fun read, this creation of Mike Mignola, with letters by Clem Robins and edits by Kath O’Brien.
Dark Horse, Panya: The Mummy’s Curse #1, $3.99 for 22 pages of content.
Newsdesk