The Damnation Brigade. Jim McPherson and various artists. Vancouver, BC: Phantacea Publications, 2012. 113 pp., trade pbk., $16.00. ISBN 978-0-9878683-4-3. Grades 10 and up / Ages 15 and up. Review by Ronald Hore. ** /4

The Damnation Brigade is a graphic novel based on a series of comic books originally published in the 1970's and 1980's. The book consists of 114 pages in black and white with a full colour cover. It is divided into 17 sections based on the original books and their artwork, listing the various artists involved. The artwork is generally quite good. The problem lies with the details of the story being told.

     The arc of the story covers the battle between various superhumans (supras or supranormals) known as the Damnation Brigade and devils described on the back cover as "originally extraterrestrial Shining Ones." An expanded novelization version, The War of the Apocalyptics was reviewed earlier.

     Perhaps because this graphic novel is a collection of comic book sequences from previously published works, the material we have here appears to be lacking in continuity and detail. It is very difficult to follow. The author obviously knows his story and the universe where it is set, in great depth, but the reader is faced with a number of characters and situations where the background appears to be lacking. This makes for a very slow read as you must pause to try and figure out what is going on and how it connects to what was read previously. A glossary might also have proved useful in translating some of the unusual words used that are particular to this series.

     The Damnation Brigade might appeal to a student of comic books who is interested in looking at the individual scenes, or someone who was familiar with the original material from which this is taken.

Recommended.

Ronald Hore, a member of several writing groups, writes medieval-style fantasy and fantasy detective stories in Winnipeg, MB.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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