Comic Book Pick of the Week: Nov. 12-18
By Lory Gil
Gravel #6
Writers: Warren Ellis & Mike Wolfer, Artist: Oscar Jimenez
Distributed by Avatar Press
Gravel #6, titled, “An English Country Garden” brings our titular protagonist to the mansion of his recently deceased enemies, whom he defeated last issue. William Gravel pronounces himself the new owner of Shockham Hall and begins to plan out how he will use his new fortune to continue his quest for the Seventh and final Sigsand. Unbeknownst to him, the inheritance comes with a few unwanted extras. Gravel is now the proud caretaker for a group of acolytes that are looking to him for magical guidance.
If this plot seems a little goofy to you, fear not. Gravel is full of action and adventure. It just so happens that the action is heavily weighted in spells and magic guns, and the adventure is a former government “combat magician” out for revenge on some snobby elitists who think they can have their cake and eat… well, you know. There are plenty of guts being splattered against brick walls and bad guys burning to death in blasts of arcane fire. Believe me, there is no shortage of violence and mischief in this book. If you have a spot in your heart for James Bond type stories, you won’t be disappointed in what Ellis and Wolfer have to offer by way of the magic Secret Service.
Ellis’ stories seem to get weirder and weirder the older he gets, but they are always full of well-researched possibilities. His ability to supply you with meticulous details regarding arcane magic and historically plausible magical events allows you to sink deep into the story without questioning the reality of it all. Be careful not to read too many of Ellis’ titles back to back, or you may find yourself becoming paranoid about the government, or the future, or parallel universes, or killer magicians, or perverted zombies, or renegade superheros…
Gravel’s tales of adventure are brought to life with the art styling of Oscar Jimenez. His depiction of the story is full of lifelike detail. Each character has distinct features that separate them from each other. The color pallet tends to be deep and shadowed, giving a sense of dark secrets. Even in broad daylight, Jimenez chooses to make the sky overcast and grey, squashing any chance that warmth and happiness should befall Gravel in his new rich life.
This issue is book six of a seven issue run, so if you have not picked up Gravel before, you should start at the beginning. It’s a short story and early issues are easy to find. It is certainly a story worth reading.
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