Divine Authority Presents #3

Divine Authority Presents #3

Divine Authority Comics has been around for a few years, putting out an entire universe of comics. Like their cousins at Marvel, DC and Dark Horse, Divine Authority uses a an anthology to bring them all together in one book. Divine Authority Presents #3 continues two stories, Ray In Hell and Penumbra, and begins a new tale, Spyne.

Ray In Hell pt3

writer- Mark McCracken

artist- IDI

Ray In Hell has a lot going for it if you're into non-stop hack and slash action. With just eight pages to this part of the story, that's pretty much what it is. McCracken and IDI have whipped up a giant muscle bound demon with a really bad attitude and given him plenty of reason to tear our hero, Ray, limb from limb. Does he do it? I'll let you find out for yourself, but what I will tell you is that I find a couple of things about this story really interesting. First is the element of “re-spawning.” While Ray and his monstrous adversary are trading barbs and blows, there's a mention of re-spawning when they die. It seems that in this Hell, when a battle ends in one's death, the dead party pops up somewhere else so that they can begin their journey through Hell again. It reminds me of some of the video games I used to play when I was younger; fighting my way through dark castles, clashing with skeleton hordes, and dying, only to re-spawn at a previous check point before succumbing again for the third and final time. I'm not sure if that's what writer, Mark McCracken was trying to touch on, but it certainly hit on that bit of nostalgia with me.

It's obvious that McCracken has a deep connection to these characters. Reading the story, I get the feeling that he's had them in his head for years, maybe decades, and that they're in print through Divine Authority Comics, as a labour of love. Unfortunately, Ray In Hell pt3 is only eight pages, and I found myself wanting more than just the hack and slash. I have questions about why Ray's in Hell. What's he fighting his way toward and what is that demon's name, so I can look for him in other Divine Authority titles? Not even the brute's monologue gives us an inkling of any of that. This is no reflection on Mark McCracken's writing abilities. I just feel this is a story to be told in one full issue.

The other thing that captures me about this story was the art. Presented here by IDI, the illustration in Ray In Hell pt3 feels like an artist's sketchbook, or one of those rare ashcan comics you'd get ahold of pre-1990. The art is rough and busy, with too much detail in character anatomy and backdrop. The unrealistic musculature and over-exaggerated body size is part of an artistic style made popular in comic art during the 90's, that I never really got on board with. However, just as I'm about to think this is one of those books, something catches my eye. IDI knocks it out of the park with close ups. The detail to facial expression and emotion in the main character is perfect. Some of the best I've seen in a long while. In a few panels, just a couple pages into it, shots of Ray's face grab me and tell volumes about what a talent this artist is. In my opinion, there's too much time put into needless scenery and tricky page layouts, when such a gift can be spent ironing out realism in character. This is the real treat of the story. Once I get to that point, all I want to do is see more of it. Divine Authority #3 was published in 2009, so it'd be interesting to see where this artist's evolution has gone.

Spyne, chapter 1

writer- Mark McCracken

artist- Stephen Holcomb II

The second story in Divine Authority Presents #3 is Spyne, chapter 1. Again written by creator Mark McCracken and drawn by Stephen Holcomb II. Spyne is about a teenager who has a rare spinal condition that keeps him in braces, on crutches, and unable to do most of the stuff normal kids are doing. Then the weird stuff starts happening. The main character, Jared has a great group of friends. They're all supportive and very considerate when it comes to his disability, but they don't know about the boney spikes that erupt from Jared's body from time to time. These long sharp extensions of his spine jut out and look like alien weaponry or some sort of extra-terrestrial defense system.

I don't know exactly where this story is going, but I have a general idea that those spooky “spynes” aren't going to make things much easier for Jared.

I like the writing on this a lot. The characters seem kind of like stock characters from a Nightmare on Elm Street movie, but they actually show consideration for their friend. They party and drink and get into trouble, but they're good kids and they care about their buddy. I feel Spyne is off to a great start in Divine Authority Presents #3. The momentum of this seven page installment of our anthology makes me want to grab a copy of DAP #4, just so I can see if Jared skewers his sweet unsuspecting girlfriend by accident. Ok, I might be a little sick like that, but I have a big feeling it's going to happen! Anyway, my hat tips to McCracken for creating a cool and interesting character.

The art is Spyne is simple. Where the first story had too much art, this one doesn't have enough. It isn't bad but it's so simple that the responsibility of driving the story gets put fully on the writing. Once again, I'd be interested in seeing how this artist's talents have progressed since 2009.

Penumbra pt3

writer- John Sowder

artist- John Sowder

This story rocks. No other way to say it. Penumbra stars Val, who at the beginning of this issue, can be seen fighting a horde of living dead with a chainsaw older than she is. Good job on the part of writer/artist, Sowder. Val's situation is that she possesses a crystal shard that hold amazing transformative powers. She can use the shard to defeat her enemies, but every time she does, she's changed a little bit more. The crazy thing about this, is that she's encouraged to do so by her evil family members.

I love the story. Hot chick fighting zombies with a chainsaw? Really? I know it's been done, but I think Penumbra did it first. Another cool if not grotesque gimmick in this story is a zombie birth with the baby used as a weapon by its mother. Gross but well done.

John's artistic style shows a lot of confidence. His drawings are clean and stylized, giving all his round edges a very soft feel in a terrifyingly hard atmosphere. The art remains simple but he has a knack for using subtle lines to convey the characters mood and that is worth a million bucks in my book. I've got to find more work by John Sowder.

Well, that's my review for Divine Authority Presents #3. I liked this book overall. I want to dig up #2 and #4 as soon as possible, and I have to say that Divine Authority Presents has done what similar books from those other publishers do... it's gotten me interested in looking into other book with these characters. I give props to all the writers and artists at Divine Authority Comics. Smaller press comics like this one are often the first step to something bigger. Please check out Divine Authority's Facebook page for more, or pick up Divine Authority Presents #3 online from Indy Planet. Catch you Outside The Cube.