By Tony Rhea, Reporter

Do you like to take a walk on the darker side? Are you willing to face things that will change you? Can you ask the hard questions, and more importantly, accept the answers? This month, Image Comics brings all that and more with the release of Bone Orchard Mythos: TEN THOUSAND BLACK FEATHERS HC!

Official Description:
From the acclaimed creative team behind GIDEON FALLS, PRIMORDIAL, and THE PASSAGEWAY comes TEN THOUSAND BLACK FEATHERS, the newest entry into the ambitious shared horror universe of THE BONE ORCHARD MYTHOS by LEMIRE & SORRENTINO! Trish and Jackie are best friends and avid gamers. But when the line between reality and their fantasy world is blurred by an evil darkness, can they be the heroes of their own story?BURST: THE BONE ORCHARD MYTHOS is an ever-expanding universe that features self-contained graphic novels and limited series about the horrors waiting to be discovered within the Bone Orchard. Collects THE BONE ORCHARD MYTHOS: TEN THOUSAND BLACK FEATHERS #1-5

Creative Team:
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer/Designer: Steve Wands
Editor: Greg Lockard

Trish and Jackie are two friends bonded by their shared passion for games, story-telling and the world they’ve built together in their minds. When life and tragedy pull them in every direction, Trish is faced with questions, guilt, doubt, and regret. In her journey to find answers, she returns home and sets out on a path that will bring her places she never believed she could go.

I am a fan of shared universes in fiction. Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, and I have a hard time describing the thrill I get when I find breadcrumbs from his stories within other stories, and seeing the creative way that two (or more) seemingly different books can exist within the same universe. That seems to be what Jeff Lemire and the team behind this book are going for with the titles collected under the Bone Orchard Mythos banner, and I couldn’t be more excited to see how this universe is built and fleshed-out.

My mention of King is no accident, as Lemire lovingly wears his multiple inspirations on his sleeve. Trish and Jackie immediately felt familiar to me because when I was younger, I was them. I was reading those same stories, and building worlds in my head. While it could be an easy trap to lean too hard into your inspirations, Lemire and team have lovingly crafted a world that feels familiar but is wholly and uniquely its own. As I read through this volume, I was reminded of being that 13-year-old kid sitting in my arm chair and ploughing through the “Dark Tower”. I had a hard time putting that book down, and I had a hard time putting this one down. When the last page turned, I wasn’t ready to go. While this story does have a resolution, it leaves some doors open, and I hope that one day we can peek into the rooms they lead to.

In terms of writing, Lemire has given us characters with real depth and substance. They feel like people you knew growing up. The layers and flaws on display with these characters is a large part of what makes this volume special. These characters age appropriately as the story is told, with each period of their lives feeling distinct. The challenges that each character faces, as well as their reactions, feel real. The supporting cast don’t fade into the backdrop, either. Each has motivation and desires, and their involvement in the story never feels out-of-place or forced.

It could have been easy to tell this dark story and focus on just those elements. They are elements that this story does well. I would argue that the real story being told here is of love, and more importantly, acceptance. We’re not just talking about accepting what is real and what is not. We’re talking about accepting things that are happening to you (whether it’s the changing relationships in your life, the tragedy you face, etc.), accepting truth (no matter how hard or inconvenient it is), and accepting yourself. Trish’s journey in this book, while fraught with the terror and the unknown, is also a beautiful journey of growing up and learning to accept things about yourself and your circumstances. Lemire handles this beautifully, showing a real talent that will leave you thoughtful and haunted all at once. 

The art in this book jumps between styles in a way that compliments and aids the story. The bright colors and softer look of the flashbacks speak to the childhood that they present, and wholly represent the innocence that this period is meant to convey. In stark contrast, the darker colors and grittier texture given to the present-day sequences compliment the darker nature of this portion of the story. Shadows are used well, and compliment these darker sections of the story. Even the fantasy sequences have their own distinct look. What I loved most about these differences was how they were also utilized together. There are sections of the story where Trish is represented with the earlier and brighter are style, representative of the relative innocence that Trish is trying to maintain, desperate to stay with her friend in the world they created together, while Jackie and the world around them are shifted to that dark and gritty look so familiar from the rest of the book. There are some brilliant panels whereas Trish’s innocence is starting to fade, these two styles are brought together in a thoughtful way that beautifully represents the feelings and emotions being conveyed. The action sequences present are visceral and have weight to them. Sorrentino and Stewart have each knocked the ball out of the park, showing their range and capability.

A great story leaves you wanting more. While the titles within the Bone Orchard Mythos are meant to be stand-alone stories within a shared universe, I hope we aren’t done with these characters. Even if we are, this book has served as an excellent jumping on point that has me excited for the other stories waiting to be told. This team has put together something great that feels like the labor of love that I’m sure it is.

Rating:
ComicsOnline gives Bone Orchard Mythos: TEN THOUSAND BLACK FEATHERS – 5 out of 5 crow feathers!

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