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The Occultist #1
The Occultist, Volume 1
Rob Bailey must balance responsibilities as a boyfriend, a college student, and as the new wielder of the Sword, an ancient book of spells that has binded itself to him. With a team of hit mages hired by a powerful sorcerer after him, it's trial by fire for the new Occultist, as he learns to handle his powerful magical tome, or suffer at the hands of these deadly enemies. But as he fights for his life, our hero wonders whether he's wielding this enigmatic weapon, or if it's the one in control!
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
About the author
Tim Seeley
1,730 books628 followersTim Seeley is a comic book artist and writer known for his work on books such as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, The Dark Elf Trilogy, Batman Eternal and Grayson. He is also the co-creator of the Image Comics titles Hack/Slash[1] and Revival, as well as the Dark Horse titles, ExSanguine and Sundowners. He lives in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 20, 2020
College student Rob Bailey gets a crash course in the occult when an ancient book called the Sword chooses him to be its next bearer. He's immediately beset by a ton on mystical assassins looking to kill him and take the book. This was a ton of fun with some very good art. And those covers are sublime! I like that the Sword does what it thinks is best for Rob even if it's the wrong moral choice. Can't wait to read volume 2.
May 15, 2014
I'm not the biggest fan of those people who are born with their powers. Those characters who haven't had to earn their keep. It's the biggest reason I have for choosing Batman over Superman- one was born with his abilities, like a trust find brat, and the other had to mold himself into Aristotelian perfection.
Yes, yes, yes, I've heard it all before- "but Batman is a trust find brat, had all the same advantages and blah. Blah. Blah." Quit clouding my waters.
Anyway, this isn't a book about Batman, nor one about Superman. This is Tim Seeley's homegrown version of Doctor Strange. The reason I brought up the two powerhouses is that here, we get a young character who just stumbles onto this great power without putting in any of the hard work or sweat that makes watching a new hero come into their own so fun. This isn't Stephen Strange. Rob Bailey doesn't work to know the spells he casts, he doesn't meditate, he doesn't learn the words to speak not does he train to wield this power. The power itself does every single fragging thing for him. Literally.
So then why the three star rating? Because it was still enjoyable. It was worth the read, and I understand why Seeley couldn't devote all the time in the world to having Rob train and train and train again- because this isn't an ongoing series, and he had finite time to get all his ideas onto the page. So I cut him some slack there. That, and I like Seeley. Mostly. I want to see this as an ongoing, too. It could be much the same as H/S was, only with a mage and maybe a little less camp. It has potential. That's what I liked most about it. Plus, I love Doctor Strange, and though this is different, it's a bit the same.
But good lord, this art after the first issue needs to go. Now. Into the toilet. Into the pigeonhole. Please, dear lord, make it stop. So stiff and wooden, it had none of the life it needed to make the script work. Victor Drujiniu should have stuck to the good old pen and ink style of the first issue for the entire series, instead of playing around with that cursed drawing pad. What is it with these things? They're alright for solo pieces, but an undertaking like a comic needs to have the pencil on paper feel, the deep inks and the raw power of those tools. The drawing pad in hands of those who haven't spent years devoted to it makes everything look like an unfinished water color and my god it is bothersome.
Writing: B-
Art: D
Yes, yes, yes, I've heard it all before- "but Batman is a trust find brat, had all the same advantages and blah. Blah. Blah." Quit clouding my waters.
Anyway, this isn't a book about Batman, nor one about Superman. This is Tim Seeley's homegrown version of Doctor Strange. The reason I brought up the two powerhouses is that here, we get a young character who just stumbles onto this great power without putting in any of the hard work or sweat that makes watching a new hero come into their own so fun. This isn't Stephen Strange. Rob Bailey doesn't work to know the spells he casts, he doesn't meditate, he doesn't learn the words to speak not does he train to wield this power. The power itself does every single fragging thing for him. Literally.
So then why the three star rating? Because it was still enjoyable. It was worth the read, and I understand why Seeley couldn't devote all the time in the world to having Rob train and train and train again- because this isn't an ongoing series, and he had finite time to get all his ideas onto the page. So I cut him some slack there. That, and I like Seeley. Mostly. I want to see this as an ongoing, too. It could be much the same as H/S was, only with a mage and maybe a little less camp. It has potential. That's what I liked most about it. Plus, I love Doctor Strange, and though this is different, it's a bit the same.
But good lord, this art after the first issue needs to go. Now. Into the toilet. Into the pigeonhole. Please, dear lord, make it stop. So stiff and wooden, it had none of the life it needed to make the script work. Victor Drujiniu should have stuck to the good old pen and ink style of the first issue for the entire series, instead of playing around with that cursed drawing pad. What is it with these things? They're alright for solo pieces, but an undertaking like a comic needs to have the pencil on paper feel, the deep inks and the raw power of those tools. The drawing pad in hands of those who haven't spent years devoted to it makes everything look like an unfinished water color and my god it is bothersome.
Writing: B-
Art: D
September 1, 2012
I think the addition of Mike Richardson as co-plotter/writer really helped this TPB. I've read a little of Tim Seeley's work before, and I've been unimpressed. Here I think they make the character of Rob Bailey work. He is pretty much your second-year university student. Hitting the books, trying to make things work out with his girlfriend (who just entered university and they were a couple in high school), and holding down a lousy paying part-time job. He had no way of knowing that when he accidentally touched an ancient book it would chose him to yield it in battle against demons and assorted supernatural threats to humans (including high school vampires and demons).
What are the pluses? Bailey does come across as a young kid who doesn't always use power well when he gets it. The UST between him and Detective Melendez works well enough, because as I read this book it is meant as the first installment in a series. The Big Bad recruits a bunch of mages that made me think "Magnificent 7 meet Harry Dresden".
Of those mages I would read more stories about Eilat Cohen and Pandora Jones. Pandora, besides having the infamous box, comes off as a refugee (in a good way) from a blackploitation movie) and Cohen is such an obvious riff on Indiana Jones, but for once the riff works.
What are the pluses? Bailey does come across as a young kid who doesn't always use power well when he gets it. The UST between him and Detective Melendez works well enough, because as I read this book it is meant as the first installment in a series. The Big Bad recruits a bunch of mages that made me think "Magnificent 7 meet Harry Dresden".
Of those mages I would read more stories about Eilat Cohen and Pandora Jones. Pandora, besides having the infamous box, comes off as a refugee (in a good way) from a blackploitation movie) and Cohen is such an obvious riff on Indiana Jones, but for once the riff works.
August 6, 2012
“Humans Should Stick To What They Do Best. Rut, Die, and Rot.”
(WARNING: The following review will contain minor spoilers solely for the discussion of plot and characters. If you’d like to know my assessment spoiler-free, then leap down to the last two paragraphs. Otherwise, a spell may be cast …)
When the tale unfolds, Robert Bailey seems like the typical college student. He has girl troubles. He’s struggling with his classes. His mother won’t let him grow up all on his own. He’s working his way through college at a local used bookstore when a chance encounter with a secret book impresses a magical identity known as ‘The Sword’ upon him, and he becomes … The Occultist! With the direction of his dead former employer (the bookseller, Mr. Elder) and a police detective who dresses like a common street tart to guide him, Robert may very well find out what the Sword is, why it’s chosen him, and what destiny has in store for him.
Sadly, much of THE OCCULTIST feels rather rushed. Quite a bit of it feels cobbled together quickly. As a result, the narrative never evens out to a comfortable pace. Characters and demons get introduced quickly and with little explanation, and, while some of them appear to be villains, their actions betray their real intent. At 130 pages, the story feels like it may’ve started out as twice that, with much of the logic left on the editor’s table. That, and it’s a world where most main characters look like underwear models. Also, the fact that a police detective who’d most likely have to be in her thirties is attracted to a young man just starting college ends up feeling more than a bit ‘creepy’ to this reader.
Still, there’s a lot here to digest, and I can’t an overwhelming sensation that THE OCCULTIST is the ind of story I’d like to enjoy more. All of the good guys’ hearts seem to be in the right place, and there are some obvious hints of developments to come that if handled with greater exploration could serve to turn around the kid-friendly appeal of the book and maybe amp up the risk to the main players.
As this first volume stands, events unfold fairly quickly – in fact, in some cases the reader is never really shown what happens when the Occultist unleashes its fury on a foe; instead, we’re only shown the pile of rocks or rubble the villain is buried beneath in the very next panel. Granted, some of it might be for humor’s sake, but, as a reader, I’d rather be more ‘involved’ in the events, not just shown the climax for a laugh. There’s even a last little twist to keep the tale going for yet one more bout, yet it comes with very little foreshadowing, and it feels more than a bit contrived. Some of the action and dialogue is more than a bit juvenile, and an awful lot of it evolves out of circumstances or convenience, but THE OCCULTIST, while off to a rough start, might evolve into something a bit more admirable. There’s always something benignly noble about a young hero discovering his way in life, but if he gets too caught up in the trappings of day-to-day existence the bigger tale will get buried under juvenile trade. Part of the problem here is that the young man’s identity seems to seize the boy, to use his body to do what it wants, and it doesn’t seem as if the he’s along for the ride except physically. Would his spirit really feel all that better sitting in math class while his body fights for salvation of the known universe? However, if it goes big – if it somehow presses Robert into the service of doing deeds in the name of justice or righteousness – then the journey might be one worth not only taking but sticking around to see what the ultimate destination truly looks like.
While not a failure, THE OCCULTIST deserves to be more than a “Buffy, The Vampire Slayer” for boys. What attracts readers to books isn’t only what attracts viewers to television shows. Given more depth, Robert’s adventures might come alive in ways creator Mike Richardson never initially imagined. Artwork by Victor Drujiniu is acceptable but nothing much grand here. For one thing, too many of the females have essentially the same face, which becomes even more obvious when they interact with one another. Here’s hoping the book gets more attention in the installments ahead.
RECOMMENDED. I wanted to love THE OCCULTIST. It has everything that makes a comic book great – an impressionable hero, a sense of magic and mystery, and some great monsters. What’s missing here is greater definition. I wanted a more-intense fleshing out of Robert Bailey and even these incidental characters, but, alas, this first volume wasn’t quite meant to be. Part of me wonders if the book received some haphazard editing. Still, I’d invest time in a second volume with hopes that the writer and artist find greater balance to weave their tapestry.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics provided me with a digital copy of THE OCCULTIST, VOLUME 1 by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review.
(WARNING: The following review will contain minor spoilers solely for the discussion of plot and characters. If you’d like to know my assessment spoiler-free, then leap down to the last two paragraphs. Otherwise, a spell may be cast …)
When the tale unfolds, Robert Bailey seems like the typical college student. He has girl troubles. He’s struggling with his classes. His mother won’t let him grow up all on his own. He’s working his way through college at a local used bookstore when a chance encounter with a secret book impresses a magical identity known as ‘The Sword’ upon him, and he becomes … The Occultist! With the direction of his dead former employer (the bookseller, Mr. Elder) and a police detective who dresses like a common street tart to guide him, Robert may very well find out what the Sword is, why it’s chosen him, and what destiny has in store for him.
Sadly, much of THE OCCULTIST feels rather rushed. Quite a bit of it feels cobbled together quickly. As a result, the narrative never evens out to a comfortable pace. Characters and demons get introduced quickly and with little explanation, and, while some of them appear to be villains, their actions betray their real intent. At 130 pages, the story feels like it may’ve started out as twice that, with much of the logic left on the editor’s table. That, and it’s a world where most main characters look like underwear models. Also, the fact that a police detective who’d most likely have to be in her thirties is attracted to a young man just starting college ends up feeling more than a bit ‘creepy’ to this reader.
Still, there’s a lot here to digest, and I can’t an overwhelming sensation that THE OCCULTIST is the ind of story I’d like to enjoy more. All of the good guys’ hearts seem to be in the right place, and there are some obvious hints of developments to come that if handled with greater exploration could serve to turn around the kid-friendly appeal of the book and maybe amp up the risk to the main players.
As this first volume stands, events unfold fairly quickly – in fact, in some cases the reader is never really shown what happens when the Occultist unleashes its fury on a foe; instead, we’re only shown the pile of rocks or rubble the villain is buried beneath in the very next panel. Granted, some of it might be for humor’s sake, but, as a reader, I’d rather be more ‘involved’ in the events, not just shown the climax for a laugh. There’s even a last little twist to keep the tale going for yet one more bout, yet it comes with very little foreshadowing, and it feels more than a bit contrived. Some of the action and dialogue is more than a bit juvenile, and an awful lot of it evolves out of circumstances or convenience, but THE OCCULTIST, while off to a rough start, might evolve into something a bit more admirable. There’s always something benignly noble about a young hero discovering his way in life, but if he gets too caught up in the trappings of day-to-day existence the bigger tale will get buried under juvenile trade. Part of the problem here is that the young man’s identity seems to seize the boy, to use his body to do what it wants, and it doesn’t seem as if the he’s along for the ride except physically. Would his spirit really feel all that better sitting in math class while his body fights for salvation of the known universe? However, if it goes big – if it somehow presses Robert into the service of doing deeds in the name of justice or righteousness – then the journey might be one worth not only taking but sticking around to see what the ultimate destination truly looks like.
While not a failure, THE OCCULTIST deserves to be more than a “Buffy, The Vampire Slayer” for boys. What attracts readers to books isn’t only what attracts viewers to television shows. Given more depth, Robert’s adventures might come alive in ways creator Mike Richardson never initially imagined. Artwork by Victor Drujiniu is acceptable but nothing much grand here. For one thing, too many of the females have essentially the same face, which becomes even more obvious when they interact with one another. Here’s hoping the book gets more attention in the installments ahead.
RECOMMENDED. I wanted to love THE OCCULTIST. It has everything that makes a comic book great – an impressionable hero, a sense of magic and mystery, and some great monsters. What’s missing here is greater definition. I wanted a more-intense fleshing out of Robert Bailey and even these incidental characters, but, alas, this first volume wasn’t quite meant to be. Part of me wonders if the book received some haphazard editing. Still, I’d invest time in a second volume with hopes that the writer and artist find greater balance to weave their tapestry.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics provided me with a digital copy of THE OCCULTIST, VOLUME 1 by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review.
May 16, 2012
Seriously, this is like a combination of every superhero and urban fantasy story every created...like some kind of comic book nerds wet dream.
And it was awful. Just AWFUL.
Normally when I review a graphic novel I focus more on the art than the story, but when the story is this bad even the art can't save it.
This book was pointless. A seemingly good and sweet guy (according to the girl who is dumping him for being boring and talking to his mom everyday) gets his hands on a book which grants him with magical powers that are more like Green Lantern's ring because it lets him do EVERYTHING and isn't just a sword. Once second he is using it to make a board to fly around on, cast love spells, and wipe peoples memories, and knock people out or just plain turn them into dust. And oh that love spell part - yeah well this 'good guy' was apparently so crazed over his girlfriend dumping him he decided he would just say fuck that and make her love him to the point that she pointedly runs directly into danger because that is all she knows what to do.
Classic story of god guy gets powers and becomes total loser douche bag who can't stand the fact that a girl may not want him anymore. But hey it's cool, he will just force her till she nearly gets herself killed, then betray her. Problem solved.
The dialog is forced, the main character says "uh", "uhh", or "uhhhhhh" almost every other line, and then it doesn't explain ANYTHING! It's like watching Hayden Christiansen spout romantic notions during that god awful Star Wars prequel., George Lucas can't write romantic dialog but this guy can't write any.
The characters were even worse than the dialog!! This boy now has all sorts of people chasing him because they also want this 'sword;. First you have 3 guys working together who are like a unfunny set of the 3 stooges, then there is a female Indiana Jones, a black woman stuck in the 70's named Pandora complete with a box of evil and the biggest afro and bell bottoms ever, a James Bond look alike only he has an eye patch, a giant who looks like one of the dwarves from Lord of the Rings, and about 12 other totally done before characters.
Like I said - a comic nerds wet dream.
All in all I am totally disappointed in Dark Horse Comics. They usually make such great graphic novels, but this fails on all levels - the story, the plot, the characters, and even the art. It's all been done before, and done better.
Wow...untill I started writing this review I didn't even realize how pissed off this book make me. Argh.
And it was awful. Just AWFUL.
Normally when I review a graphic novel I focus more on the art than the story, but when the story is this bad even the art can't save it.
This book was pointless. A seemingly good and sweet guy (according to the girl who is dumping him for being boring and talking to his mom everyday) gets his hands on a book which grants him with magical powers that are more like Green Lantern's ring because it lets him do EVERYTHING and isn't just a sword. Once second he is using it to make a board to fly around on, cast love spells, and wipe peoples memories, and knock people out or just plain turn them into dust. And oh that love spell part - yeah well this 'good guy' was apparently so crazed over his girlfriend dumping him he decided he would just say fuck that and make her love him to the point that she pointedly runs directly into danger because that is all she knows what to do.
Classic story of god guy gets powers and becomes total loser douche bag who can't stand the fact that a girl may not want him anymore. But hey it's cool, he will just force her till she nearly gets herself killed, then betray her. Problem solved.
The dialog is forced, the main character says "uh", "uhh", or "uhhhhhh" almost every other line, and then it doesn't explain ANYTHING! It's like watching Hayden Christiansen spout romantic notions during that god awful Star Wars prequel., George Lucas can't write romantic dialog but this guy can't write any.
The characters were even worse than the dialog!! This boy now has all sorts of people chasing him because they also want this 'sword;. First you have 3 guys working together who are like a unfunny set of the 3 stooges, then there is a female Indiana Jones, a black woman stuck in the 70's named Pandora complete with a box of evil and the biggest afro and bell bottoms ever, a James Bond look alike only he has an eye patch, a giant who looks like one of the dwarves from Lord of the Rings, and about 12 other totally done before characters.
Like I said - a comic nerds wet dream.
All in all I am totally disappointed in Dark Horse Comics. They usually make such great graphic novels, but this fails on all levels - the story, the plot, the characters, and even the art. It's all been done before, and done better.
Wow...untill I started writing this review I didn't even realize how pissed off this book make me. Argh.
April 28, 2014
I like everything about this series bar the protagonist, which is an odd thing to happen. Rob is kind of a blank slate, and doesn't really adopt a personality as he goes through the series, instead seeming to make decisions and character developments between issues instead of as we go through. The idea behind the series is clever, and I enjoy the supporting cast, especially Anna Melendez, plus the cliffhanger of the series makes me want to read the next one, I just wish that Rob himself was a bit more consistent instead of just a vessel for the story. I guess that's probably the point, considering he's almost controlled by The Sword, the magic book he absorbs in the first issue that makes him The Occultist in the first place, but that's not the point. The artwork is solid, though is best during the middle three chapters - it's surprising how a change in inker can alter the entire aesthetic of an artists work, but this book certainly illustrates how that is possible.
April 6, 2013
Pretty cool, hoping for sequel
April 17, 2018
I only liked it from #2 of 3. The story felt unique. And so did the powers bestowed upon our hero, Robert Bailey. Imagine an ancient book of spells chose you of all people - lets say you're an ordinary person with an ordinary life. All of a sudden, you become the chosen one. How would you feel? If you liked the idea, then you should definitely read it.
I felt the book stood out in terms of characters (people you can relate to), realistic artwork, powers, the red riding hood costume, body snatching villain, inter-dimensional travel, humor, and writing that evoke admiration.
Some of them are quote-worthy!
"Pain is what I envy of the flesh. That sweet reminder of existence."
"Good education demands much sacrifice."
"Nothing breaks a good love spell like utter betrayal."
I felt the book stood out in terms of characters (people you can relate to), realistic artwork, powers, the red riding hood costume, body snatching villain, inter-dimensional travel, humor, and writing that evoke admiration.
Some of them are quote-worthy!
"Pain is what I envy of the flesh. That sweet reminder of existence."
"Good education demands much sacrifice."
"Nothing breaks a good love spell like utter betrayal."
May 4, 2024
A quick, generic, and juvenile one-shot. There is another volume, but this short couple of issues was enough time spent with these flat characters. The plot is male wish fulfillment fantasy, with an angsty lead not showing much dimension outside his maudlin displays. The art was serviceable, the first couple issues showing promise with varied mage assassin character designs. Ultimately every being is disposable, the concept had potential but is half-baked, feels like it’s targeted to YA. a shallow, disappointing find from my former local comic book store’s discount bin.
August 3, 2017
The Occultist is sophomoric and bland when its trying for witty and dynamic. The storyline is basic and unoriginal. I was surprised how much I didn't like this but after reading other reviews I see I'm not alone. The art was decent but the females all look like they stepped out of a 90s Playboy, for no reason. This was just a big miss for me.
July 2, 2017
Quick to read and not very challenging. Felt almost generic but also quite well done. Just did not grab me that much, or involve me.
November 11, 2022
Generic in its plot, quips, characters, and misogyny.
Read
June 2, 20122.5 stars
I'm giving this novel 2.5 stars because I liked the artwork very much. The work was dynamic and dark. The scene lighting was appropriately varied, creating great atmosphere. The various creatures were beautifully rendered, and some of them were quite complex. I wish I had liked the story better so that I could give this graphic novel a higher rating overall.
The story was cliche, and the dialog was contrived. An unpopular guy finds an occult item and unwittingly gains great power. At the same time, he becomes a target for bad guys and has to learn to use his new powers quickly in order to defend himself. Along the way, he runs into a hot, female detective who, at first, considers him a suspect in murders related to the bad guys chasing him. We've all heard this story before, but at least the drawings helped bring it some originality.
I didn't appreciate the dialog either. The characters often made statements that I can't imagine real people making. For example, toward the beginning, one character practically announces her own full name (first and last) and her boyfriend's name, so that the reader will know what to call them. On at least two occasions bad guys expressly stated their own weakness. I'm paraphrasing here, but it went something like: "You cannot defeat me because you do not know my name." "We can't see him because he's wearing a wizard's cloak." Not exactly believable dialog.
I'm giving this novel 2.5 stars because I liked the artwork very much. The work was dynamic and dark. The scene lighting was appropriately varied, creating great atmosphere. The various creatures were beautifully rendered, and some of them were quite complex. I wish I had liked the story better so that I could give this graphic novel a higher rating overall.
The story was cliche, and the dialog was contrived. An unpopular guy finds an occult item and unwittingly gains great power. At the same time, he becomes a target for bad guys and has to learn to use his new powers quickly in order to defend himself. Along the way, he runs into a hot, female detective who, at first, considers him a suspect in murders related to the bad guys chasing him. We've all heard this story before, but at least the drawings helped bring it some originality.
I didn't appreciate the dialog either. The characters often made statements that I can't imagine real people making. For example, toward the beginning, one character practically announces her own full name (first and last) and her boyfriend's name, so that the reader will know what to call them. On at least two occasions bad guys expressly stated their own weakness. I'm paraphrasing here, but it went something like: "You cannot defeat me because you do not know my name." "We can't see him because he's wearing a wizard's cloak." Not exactly believable dialog.
June 26, 2012
More around 3.5 stars. Like it but not the best so far this year.
Background: Rob is just your normal college student, trying to balance his studies, his part time job at a used bookstore, and his girlfriend, well never mind, no more girlfriend… Suddenly while at work one day he encounters a very old book that decides to bind itself to him. Now Rob is more than just a student, but an Occultist, the new body for the Sword, and ancient power many people are after. The graphic novel follows Rob as he learns to control his new powers and fights to save himself and those around him from the monsters attempting to gain the Sword for themselves.
Review: I enjoyed this graphic novel, I think it was because I have not read one like this recently. I enjoyed the artwork and the storyline, there were a few plot holes but I assume they will be resolved as more volumes are released. I was a little confused about the explanation of the ‘sword’ and what it brings to Rob, not sure if it is a power, a book, or a sword, because it seems to be all of those things at one point or another. The story is fairly dark, violent, and somewhat angsty on Rob’s part but the character development of him was there while some of the other characters were a bit lacking, but they were killed off anyway, so no big deal. This was an interesting read, it kept me reading, the art was great. Pick it up for a quick, dark read.
Background: Rob is just your normal college student, trying to balance his studies, his part time job at a used bookstore, and his girlfriend, well never mind, no more girlfriend… Suddenly while at work one day he encounters a very old book that decides to bind itself to him. Now Rob is more than just a student, but an Occultist, the new body for the Sword, and ancient power many people are after. The graphic novel follows Rob as he learns to control his new powers and fights to save himself and those around him from the monsters attempting to gain the Sword for themselves.
Review: I enjoyed this graphic novel, I think it was because I have not read one like this recently. I enjoyed the artwork and the storyline, there were a few plot holes but I assume they will be resolved as more volumes are released. I was a little confused about the explanation of the ‘sword’ and what it brings to Rob, not sure if it is a power, a book, or a sword, because it seems to be all of those things at one point or another. The story is fairly dark, violent, and somewhat angsty on Rob’s part but the character development of him was there while some of the other characters were a bit lacking, but they were killed off anyway, so no big deal. This was an interesting read, it kept me reading, the art was great. Pick it up for a quick, dark read.
June 9, 2012
An unusual premise - a young man working in a rare book store opens a book that somehow transforms him into The Occultist... which somehow also makes him a sword. And a book. So he's a wizard, and a sword AND a book. And a bunch of people want him dead. Also, there'a a hot Latina cop. And a weird guy with face tattoos who I think is some sort of wizard too.
Confused yet? You might be while reading this book. It's an interesting premise, but it feels like there is too much "stuff" going on that doesn't have anything at all to do with the main story - which is: bad wizard wants good wizard dead.
Somehow while trying to move THAT conflict forward we end up with a werd alien-predator looking thing diguised as a hooker, a motley crew of assassins that very much remind me of an old Buffy the Vampire slayer episode (but not necessarily in a good way) and a demon/vampire prom. And of course there's the inevitable love triangle between our hero, his ex girlfriend and the hot Latina cop.
Any ONE of these things would have made a pretty good story - all of them together kid of make a mess, but there is some good stuff here, so I'm rating it 3 stars in the hopes that as the series progresses, it will learn to focus more.
Confused yet? You might be while reading this book. It's an interesting premise, but it feels like there is too much "stuff" going on that doesn't have anything at all to do with the main story - which is: bad wizard wants good wizard dead.
Somehow while trying to move THAT conflict forward we end up with a werd alien-predator looking thing diguised as a hooker, a motley crew of assassins that very much remind me of an old Buffy the Vampire slayer episode (but not necessarily in a good way) and a demon/vampire prom. And of course there's the inevitable love triangle between our hero, his ex girlfriend and the hot Latina cop.
Any ONE of these things would have made a pretty good story - all of them together kid of make a mess, but there is some good stuff here, so I'm rating it 3 stars in the hopes that as the series progresses, it will learn to focus more.
September 3, 2012
Reason for Reading: Some paranormal fantasy sounded good at this time.
I only finished this book last night but I find myself looking over it to remember the story. My attention was held during the book, but I've obviously found it to have a slight, tenuous hold on my memory. It was the usual stuff you expect with a plot like this. Lots of monsters/demons/assassins coming to get Rob, big fight scenes and the mysterious spells and powers coming from the book that will protect him no matter what. Rob is a lighthearted, funny guy which makes the plot seem less serious with all the repartee going on. But I liked it that way, kind of a "Buffy"-type thing, but not nearly so witty. The art is well done. An over all pleasant diversion, worthy of a read but not something I'd rush out to buy the next volume.
I only finished this book last night but I find myself looking over it to remember the story. My attention was held during the book, but I've obviously found it to have a slight, tenuous hold on my memory. It was the usual stuff you expect with a plot like this. Lots of monsters/demons/assassins coming to get Rob, big fight scenes and the mysterious spells and powers coming from the book that will protect him no matter what. Rob is a lighthearted, funny guy which makes the plot seem less serious with all the repartee going on. But I liked it that way, kind of a "Buffy"-type thing, but not nearly so witty. The art is well done. An over all pleasant diversion, worthy of a read but not something I'd rush out to buy the next volume.
June 26, 2012
An interesting story. Rob works in a book store and his day is not going all that well. It gets worse when a secret book decides it likes him and offers him the sword which is a magical power. Soon Rob’s life changes in ways he never imagined. He can have whatever he wants with consequences he never imagined.
Soon he’s a hunted man. He connects to Detective Melendez and the adventures go from there. I enjoyed the story. Rob’s a likeable guy.
The animation is decent, a bit fuzzy in my e-copy but enjoyable. I loved the monsters and the story lines have lots of potential. Can’t wait to see more.
Soon he’s a hunted man. He connects to Detective Melendez and the adventures go from there. I enjoyed the story. Rob’s a likeable guy.
The animation is decent, a bit fuzzy in my e-copy but enjoyable. I loved the monsters and the story lines have lots of potential. Can’t wait to see more.
May 20, 2012
Decent art, but the story jumps all over the place and seems inconsistent. For an intro volume it lacks a compelling origin story and develop character. If nothing else I was interested in the mythology of the villains and not so much the protagonists.
May 15, 2012
Dark Horse really knows how to pick great artists!
June 26, 2012
Full review here: http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/...
September 10, 2012
Full review on HorrorTalk.com: http://www.horrortalk.com/comic-revie...
November 13, 2014
Poor writing and dreadful art (too much shading!!!)....I'll still probably read Volume 2.
If you like completely unbelievable stories, this one is for you.
If you like completely unbelievable stories, this one is for you.
March 20, 2015
You know...for kids.
April 10, 2017
A college student is chosen to be the Occultist, a wielder of a magical weapon. Good artwork.
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