Ask For Mercy Season 3 #1

Ask for Mercy Season 3 #1

ComiXology Originals 2021

Written & Lettered by Richard Starkings

Illustrated by Abigail Jill Harding

BEASTS OF THE NORTH

Mercy and Ratmir find themselves on Earth in 2023… but why are the streets deserted and what is hunting down humans in the city centre of Leeds?

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I hate to say it but sometimes I am late to the party, but in my defense I use Previews for my weekly review list so if it’s not there and it’s not something a company sense me before it’s out well then I will have to play catch up. I hate that but I’m only human after all and this became an instant favourite of mine when I read the first arc so i’m thrilled to do these, early, you name it as long as I get to read and review it. This series has that elusive but well known “IT” factor and the moment you begin to read it you understand what that is but not how to correctly identify of quantify what the “IT” factor is. So if you’ve not read this then you need to it’s a ComiXology original and it really is an amazing piece of storytelling that you’ll fall under its spell and fall in love with in a matter of pages.

I love the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well. The character development that we see through the dialogue, the character interaction and how they act and react to the situations and circumstances that they encounter really fleshes out their characters in some stupendous ways. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing more and more of the story we’re pulled deeper and deeper in and we don't want to see it end.

I really am enjoying the way that we see this being structured and how the layers within the story are emerging and growing from previous arcs. Now no worries you can join in with this arc and understand what’s happening as it is new reader friendly. Now the layers contain the twists and turns as well as the amazing characterisation that we see and add this extra depth and complexity to the story. How everything works together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward is perfectly achieved.

The interiors here are absolutely stunning, that moment we first see the White Buffalo it’s like looking like a Sienkiewicz piece and then from there on out it’s all Abigail’s work and she’s so gorgeous and dynamic to see. The linework is exquisite and how we see the varying weights and techniques being utilised to create this level & quality of detail work is mindbogglingly brilliant! The composition within the panels and how backgrounds are utilised to create the dept perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the book is utterly marvellous. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a masterful eye for storytelling. The colour work that we see is equally as brilliant. The various hues and tones within the colours being utilised o create the shading, highlights and shadow work is done with such aplomb.

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The story development, writing and characterisation are done within an inch of their lives, a good thing mind you, and then put them with this level of quality work in the visuals and you’ve got such a rich tapestry coming to life on the pages. This series alone is worth ensuring you have access to ComiXology Originals on your tablet, phone or lap top as it is one of the most creative, interesting and mesmerising stories and landscapes that will thrill you time and time again through multiple readings.