Basilisk #5

Basilisk #5

BOOM! Studios 2021

Written by Cullen Bunn

Illustrated by Jonas Scharf

Coloured by Alex Guimaráes

Lettered by Ed Dukeshire

After the shocking conclusion of the last issue, the remaining members of Chimera regroup, sullen. After a prophetic confession from Vanessa, she says they have a destiny to fulfil... a sacrifice. Meanwhile, Regan is hesitant to tell Hannah about the prophecy, but before she can, she's overwhelmed by auditory pain, and Hannah hears a hauntingly familiar voice as she tries to help Regan…

The opening is fantastic! While it is endearing and foreboding, in a sense because we know what’s going to happen, it also shows us the depth of pain that Hannah is experiencing. The level of emotion that is portrayed to the reader is exceptional throughout the book, it’s entire run really. I think the kind of passion or dogged determination that Hannah possesses for destroying the Chimera borders on that unhealthy obsession line but what it does certainly make for some extremely good reading. Part of me wishes we would see a flashback to learn how the Chimera were created so we can get a better understanding of why they awoke with amnesia and how they gained these fantastical abilities that they use to destroy humans like a child playing with an anthill and a magnifying glass.

I am thrilled with 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 are impeccably rendered. The character development that we see through the narration, the dialogue, the character interaction as well as how we see them act and react to the situations and circumstances which they encounter does a magnificent job c continuing to spotlight these ever changing and evolving personalities. The pacing is excellent and as it takes us through the pages revealing more of the story we are so caught up in this that all we want is more.

I am extremely impressed with the way that this is being structured and how the layers within the story continue to emerge, grow, evolve and strengthen. I am also liking the way that these layers open up new avenues to explore. This unknown prophecy, the past and of course what we see of them in the present all add this wonderful depth, dimension and complexity to the story. How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how we see it move the story forward are handled exceptionally well.

I was given cover B from my store and holy heck is it intense and I love it, it would’ve been the one I would choose given the opportunity so go Christian Ward. Jonas’ work in the interiors here is bloody mindbogglingly gorgeous! This painted style or colour wash that comes with the linework really manages to capture the intensity and emotions that we need to see in the opening of the book. How we see backgrounds enhance and expand the moments as well as how they work within the composition of the panels to bring out the depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a masterful eye for storytelling. The various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work shows a phenomenal eye for how colour works. The way that we see the more traditional colour work is beautifully rendered.

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There is something about this book that keeps its mystique intact as we go from issue to issue. I love learning alongside Hannah and how this keeps us guessing and on our toes and that’s half the fun of reading this. The writing is immaculately rendered and the characterisation is intense and interesting while the interiors are phenomenal and all together it really does create the perfect storm.