There is something in the woods…and this Halloween season, Mad Cave Studios will take readers into the woods to find out what is out there in its new graphic novel, Morning Star. Due for publication Oct. 29, the 135-page novel is quite the unique presentation that is a perfect fit for the season, what with its story, which will be examined shortly. The story’s pacing and related transitions work with the story itself to ensure readers remain engaged in the intriguing presentation. They will be discussed a little later. Rounding out the most important of the novel’s elements is its artwork, which makes for its own interest, too. When it is considered alongside the story, its pacing and transitions, the whole makes Morning Star an interesting presentation for science fiction and horror fans this Halloween holiday season.
Morning Star, the forthcoming new graphic novel from Mad Cave Studios, is an intriguing new offering from the studio, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The novel stands out in part through its featured story. Co-written by David Andry and Tim Daniel, the story (which spans five chapters across 135 pages) centers on single mother Jolene, who is trying to come to terms with the death of her husband, Nathan. Nathan was a fire jumper who died in the line of duty (or so readers are led to believe). A year after his apparent death, Jolene takes her children, Charlie and Marabeth to the Kootenai National Forest in Montana to spread Nathan’s ashes. Not to give away too much but as it turns out ahead of the family’s trip, Nathan’s ashes are not actually in the urn that Joele keeps, meaning his remains were never recovered. This leads to a lot of confusion in the story’s finale, again not to give away too much.
After Nathan’s “ashes” are spread, a lot of really strange things happen. Charlie goes missing and Marabeth is sent to look for him by their mother. Both mother and daughter then end up experiencing what can only be defined as some very paranormal experiences before everything ultimately comes to a head in the final chapter. That head leaves more questions than answers, to be fully honest. Readers will be left to find out what that means for themselves when this novel publishes. Perhaps the whole is about the family coming to terms with Nathan’s death. That is up to readers’ interpretation. Andry said in an interview that the story is in fact about facing certain things eye to eye, so maybe the ending is supposed to be more symbolic than reality. Either way, the whole – that journey to find Charlie and what happens along the way – makes for an interesting read at least once.
The story itself is – as noir as it comes across at points – is just one part of what makes for any interest. The pacing and connected transitions play their own role in the story to make it worth reading. As audiences will note, Andry and Daniel find jus the right points throughout the story to break up the tale. Especially considering the story’s nature, those break points actually serve well in their placement as good moments for mental breaks. As a result of those breaks, readers will find themselves more encouraged to read the story. What happens within each chapter is heavy to say the least, mentally speaking, but in taking breaks between chapters, readers will note how easily the story progresses in each chapter despite its very artsy approach. Keeping that in mind, the collective pacing and the transitions that help with the pacing do well to ensure audiences’ engagement and entertainment.
Rounding out the most important of the elements that make Morning Star readable is its artwork. Developed by artist Marco Finnegan and colorist Jason Wordie, the artwork featured throughout Morning Star gives the book its own unique visual identity. The “raw” look of each scene and the characters has something of a ben-day comic title. For those who may not know, the Ben-Day process was used quite prominently in comic books in the 1950s and 1960s. Considering that this story is supposed to take place in 1956, it makes sense that Finnegan would incorporate that look so much for the added effect. The noted “raw” sense about the art work makes for an intriguing juxtaposition to the ben-day look with the two collectively making for an interesting overall visual that readers are sure to appreciate, too. The mix of vintage of modern art styles works directly with the novel’s equally unique science-fiction/paranormal tale and its pacing to make the overall presentation such that it is well worth reading at least once.
Morning Star, the forthcoming new graphic novel from Mad Cave Studios, is a unique presentation from the comics company. The novel’s interest comes in part through its story, which walks the line between science fiction and paranormal (just in time for Halloween). At the same time it is also a story about family. That duality makes for reason enough for audiences to give the novel a chance, even despite being quite noir in style at many points. The story’s pacing and its transitions play into readers’ engagement because of the well-placed chapter breaks. Those breaks help readers feel more encouraged to read each deep chapter, and in turn feel that the pacing is relatively fluid. The book’s art rounds out its most important elements because of its modern and vintage duality. That presentation works with everything else examined to make the entirety of Morning Star an intriguing presentation that is well worth the read by anyone looking for some good science fiction and paranormal fare this Halloween.
Morning Star is scheduled for publication Oct. 29 through Mad Cave Studios. More information on this and other titles from Mad Cave Studios is available at:
Website: https://madcavestudios.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadCaveStudios
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadCaveStudios
