Story and Art by John L. Jennings
Rosarium Publishing
This is a great
time to be a comic book fan. With the internet and cheaper and more
efficient ways to publish, many talented writers and artists who were
seemingly locked out of the comic book industry, have several ways to
meet their audience. There are so many great comic books out there
now put out by independent artists that it's difficult to keep up.
Quite a few deserve Eisner awards on so many levels.
If you don't know
who John L. Jennings is, you should do a google search. Jennings is
an extremely talented artist and scholar who has put in the work
around the country. So when I heard he was doing a comic book where
he wrote, drew, and colored, it was something I had to cop. This is
no easy task. Oftentimes, a creator is good on one side of comic book
story telling but bad in another. Jennings ventures away from just
the bubbles, he narrates the story and places the text on the right
hand side of the page. This really makes the quality of the story
better and adds a more artful approach to it.
It all works.
Jennings' lettering is perfect. He mixes history and fiction well
when focusing on the the area of Chicago called Bronzeville during
the post WWII period. His artwork is superb. Jennings introduces the
reader to Frank “Half Dead” Johnson, a well known practioner of
magic who does most of his work in the criminal underground of
Chicago during the time of Al Capone.
The reader will
immediately love the character of Half Dead Johnson. He is fearless
and has no problems navigating Bronzeville and the outside white
world. An old buddy who works for Capone, Mac the Shark, comes to
request aid from Johnson. Just that dialogue between the both of them
demonstrates how Johnson pretty much strong armed his way into his
position. He speaks to Mac the Shark with an indifference that tells
the reader that Johnson is not to be messed with. While Jennings
gives little hints as to Mac the Shark and Johnson's history, but
it's enough to know that no one messes with Johnson.
The best part is
when Johnson goes to help Mac the Shark, he learns that he is already
over his head. The contrast between his invulnerability to his fear
is very interesting and what makes readers read a particular comic
book. Jennings does a wonderful job building that up. Jennings knocks
it out the park as both writer and artist.
Rosarium
Publishing continues to put out quality work and Blue Hand Mojo is a
prime example of this. I can't wait to cop the second issue of this
work by John L. Jennings. As usual, Jennings continues to impress and
put out dope work.
