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Hunt Monsters #1
1/MAR/2004
Publisher: Antarctic Press
Writer: Rod Espinosa
Art: Craig Babiar
Toning: Wes Hartman
Letters: Doug Dlin
Price: $2.95 US/R22.00 SA
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This is the first book that I’ve read by Antarctic
Press [AP] but it won’t be the last. I’ve had
my eye on a few of their titles for a while so now it’s time
to join the AP party with ‘I Hunt Monsters #1’.
William Warlock was abandoned by his father at a young age but nevertheless
has managed to lead a relatively normal life. His new family and
his father have provided for his everyday needs.
After graduating from college he receives a strange letter from
his dad asking him to go to South Africa. Once
he gets there all will be revealed and he will have answers as to
why his father left him and who he truly is.
The primary reason why I made this my first AP read from a dozen
or so books they kindly sent me to review was because it had links
to my homeland. In the first few pages William lands in
Johannesburg, South Africa. We see all kinds of sights and sounds
of South Africa from ‘African Taxis’, to the Joburg
Skyline and the Lost City, it’s great fun to see South
African culture in an American comic book.
The tone from the get-go is fun and adventurous with this book.
It’s comparable to the film ‘The Mummy’,
but a little more on steroids than that was. Rod Espinosa
[Neotopia] holds back nothing when it comes to
a very fast moving and action-packed storyline. There’s just
enough plot and a bit of mystery to hold it all together and to
keep you interested in the stories overall progression.
Being all about the action/adventure/horror themes this comic needs
an artist with a dynamic and fluid style and it’s got just
that with Craig Babiar [Warrior Nun Areala,
Specter 7]. Babiar throws the action at you from
all angles but still manages to draw consistently solid characters
for each and every panel. His art has a great manga feel with a
little bit of a wacky cartoon-like bite. The major downside on the
artistic side of things is the printing/toning choice. There
is a ton of moiré pattern all over the show and
in places it completely clogs up the art to the extent where you
have to strain your eyes desperately just to make out a character
in amongst the chaotic background of dots.
Horror/Action is definitely not a genre I’m a fan of but this
comic does what it’s aimed to do. It’s not the next
Kingdom Come that’s for sure, but if you’re looking
for a straight-forward quick-fix of action and adventure with no
strings attached then this is one for you.
Score 5/10
Reviewed By:Iain Duncan
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Comic Reviews
