Vermillion II

I had some free time in a sleepy little town outside Toronto on Saturday. It was a sunny day and I headed straight for a patio with the newest edition of Vermillion, episode II tucked under my arm.

I'd waited months to learn what happened after the dark cliffhanger in the first episode.

As I slid it free from the protective plastic cover, the rays of sun started disappearing. How appropriate a collection of dark clouds should move across the sky, as if they knew I needed different lighting to set the mood. Even the waitress looked up and commented on the odd sudden onset of gloominess, lamenting the idea of another afternoon of rain.

A lot of answers are given to take the place of question marks left from the previous episode. Readers are properly introduced to the Vermillion and are provided insight into how the whole story got started.

I have to commend the creators on their ability to balance the pace of the story: the calm of necessary plot-point revelations are juxtaposed against fast moving action and excitement.

And it's all done in the murky storyboard that disorients the reader, making them share in the experience of the protagonist: being startled in the dark and not clearly seeing what's before you.

There were times when I wanted to demand a clearer image, feeling a little frustrated with partial images lost in black. But don't we always want a clear, full frame shot of the monster when we watch a horror film? And isn't that what makes it exciting?

This episode left me satisfied for now while still leaving me curious with questions to ponder over a pint.

I can honestly say I highly recommend this comic for fans of horror, werewolves and dark illustrations. Pick up both episodes through the Waheela Comics website or comixpress.com.

For the record, it didn't rain that afternoon. The clouds shifted - I kid you not - as I returned the comic to its protective sleeve.

Thanks to Pete for the personal message scrawled in the back of my copy. I can hardly wait for a third episode. And an anthology would be nice somewhere down the road.

Bio for the Vermillion Team:

Pete LaDuke, editor, publisher. Pete starred and co-executive produced the B Horror movie parody "Mutant Swinger from Mars" which premiered at the San Diego Comicon Sat July 25, 2009.

Clay McCormack: illustrator, front cover. Clay has worked on the Indiana Jones Heritage Series trading cards for Topps.

Matthew Dana Kimble: illustrator, int. Front cover and Waheela Store ad. Matt has illustrated for Eerie Comics official fanzine.

Eddy Newell: illustrator - int back cover of DC's "Black Lightning Fame."