George Orwell had a rather infamous take on writing in his essay, Why I Write: “Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout with some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” I don’t subscribe to Orwell’s theory, as I genuinely love the act of writing, but I do think he’d feel vindicated if he read The Author Immortal #1 as it takes his train of thought to a terrifying level.
Professor and struggling author Hector Ramirez is given the opportunity of a lifetime: not only will he get to work on a new version of the novels created by his literary hero, E.L. Vossler, but he’ll get to work with another major author in Deborah Luckwell. What Hector doesn’t know is that Vossler’s work has literally taken on a life of its own, swallowing up its creator and killing anyone unfortunate to come into its path…and he’s next, as he’s been pulled into the world of Vossler’s novels.
The element of The Author Immortal #1 that stuck out the most to me is how it actually feels like the first chapter of a book: slowly immersing its reader into the world, while also teasing a darker mystery at the edges. Frank J. Barbiere starts to peel back the layers of each character that inhabits this world, showcasing how Hector is struggling with being a single parent and navigating a newfound relationship with his fiancée/manager Sheila, while hiding some of his own secrets from the people he loves. As for Luckwell, there’s a reason why such an accomplished author needs help, and it feeds into the horror element of the book.
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The Author Immortal #1 is also one of the most gorgeous books I’ve read in a while, thanks to the art of Morgan Beem. Beem uses watercolors that give the book a faded, almost ancient texture that works in its favor, with a recurring element: a monster that starts to prey on people who read Vossler’s work. This creature is a roiling mix of shadows and fangs, and the fact that it never takes on a fully solid form is a truly frightening concept. Beem’s characters are also distinct from each other; while Hector is a wiry, stubbled mess, Sheila is a focused ball of energy and excitement. Even the colors are constantly shifting: one minute you might see the sunny vibes of a fantasy realm, and the next is a slowly darkening room as the shadow creature finds its next meal.
Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou rounds out the creative team, bringing his unique style of lettering to the page. It’s the monster who’s the standout, as its hisses start to fill up the page. Not only that, but its victims’ voices grow tinier and tinier before they’re swallowed up into the dark. Image was kind enough to give The Author Immortal #1 a giant 48-page opening issue, meaning that this is enough story for two issues. Rest assured, not a page is wasted and the ending will leave you wanting more.
The Author Immortal #1 doesn’t pull any punches with its debut issue, crafting a new kind of dark fantasy that brings a new meaning to “suffering for your art”. This is a comic that’s working on multiple layers, both in terms of story and thematic depth.
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