THE BLACK-JACK DEMON VOLUME ONE https://ift.tt/L6gqjp7

When Silas Pritchard’s father attempts to find whomever’s blasting his Oklahoma mine, all that remains of the man is his skinned body. That, coupled with the fiery mine shaft, convinces 14-year-old Silas that his father’s killer is a demon. He tracks the evil entity across changing towns and bumps elbows with locals, very few of whom actually help. But Silas is telling an unbelievable story about a demon that changes his identity, wearing his victims’ skins like masks. However, Silas, despite his youth, is armed with wit, tenacity, and a cache of weapons. When he finally comes face to (oscillating) face with the powerful demon, he doesn’t quite see the villain he’s expecting. This graphic novel, which collects the comic-book series’ first three issues, is a breakneck Western with a subtle supernatural flavor. Silas is a naïve teenager whose horseback journey toughens him up so he’s more in line with a hardened genre hero. Meanwhile, readers see little of this fascinating demon until the story’s final volume. Hermes enlivens the narrative with a stellar cast and a hint of romance for Silas. The author’s illustrations portray expansive horizons that showcase the Old West’s desolation and the beautiful, vibrant skies that blanket everything. This collection also includes “The Eternity Corridor,” a superlative black-and-white SF short story. Geophysicist Dr. Otho Buttface (an Italian name pronounced differently than how it looks) joins a governor and an army major on a special mission. He walks through a bizarre, otherworldly corridor that leads to countless opportunities and places to explore. It’s a wonderful tale that hopefully fosters a sequel or perhaps a spinoff.

from Kirkus Reviews https://ift.tt/Kg9csb6