by Joe Iconic, Reporter
From Anthony Summey (Lady Flintlock, Pirate Blood) and Rosarium Publishing comes the epic graphic novel Suzy Samson: The Gorgon & the Basilisk. Anthony Summey, Comic Book Artist/Writer, graduate of Walhalla High School (Class of 92), Clemson University -Architecture (Class of 96), Savannah College of the Arts and Design – Sequential Art (Class of ‘05), Art Professor of Practice, Clemson University
Official Synopsis: Suzy Samson, the world’s greatest heroine, is back battling her toughest foe: middle age. Having given up her powers and crime fighting career for married life long ago, Suzy suddenly finds herself forty, divorced, and overweight. Forced to move in with her former nemesis turned best friend, Girliath, Suzy has begun reclaiming her life. With Girliath as her new partner, Suzy renews her war on injustice. Armed with her father’s unbreakable jawbone club and impenetrable lion skin, Suzy tries to rediscover who she is and her place in the world. Regaining her strength over time, Suzy continues her struggle to set the wrong things right. No matter if she is fighting paramilitary girl scouts, mystical beasts, or dealing with the emotional fall out of divorce, Suzy Samson is stronger than ever!
Image provided by Rosarium Publishing
Anthony Summey’s skills are stronger than ever! Suzy Samson: The Gorgon & The Basilisk demonstrates the creator’s formidable storyteller and world-builder, as well as his roots as a talented artist/colorist. His characters pull heavily from traditional classical mythology, including familiar Old Testament sources more commonly seen in the Golden Age of Comics. It is refreshing to read a story about supers that doesn’t waste panels finding a way to paraphrase “not copyrighted mutants.” By leaning heavily on familiar mythology, the exposition is minimized and Summey can focus his incredible artwork to tell a story visually. Summey truly understands the graphic novel medium.
The supporting characters are engaging. Humanzee and Girliath brilliantly reverse the King Kong/Fay Wray trope, and they are the only two examples of the characters the reader will meet in this epic tale. As for the protagonist, Summey masterfully portrays a woman in her forties who is both realistic yet still unmistakably beautiful.
And speaking of beautifully drawn characters, this story is for mature audiences, but dances around the PG-13 line in a way that parodies the industry standards. This story’s universe has a law of physics where nudity is always covered in shadow, off-panel, or artfully covered. The frequency of this convention is what is almost as noticeable as the art itself. Even if someone is nude and incapacitated living or dead, their body will find a way to tastefully cover their naked parts. Whether or not you’ll find it hilarious or a jab at polite sensibilities, it’s still beautiful art.
Bottom line: Do you want something beautiful to both look at and read? A refreshing new world to explore with captivating characters? Are you OK with mature content? Get this graphic novel, and follow this talented creator!
Rating: 
ComicsOnline gives Suzy Samson: The Gorgon & the Basilisk 5 out of 5 jawbones to the face!
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