Wodogrzmoty Gideonowe – review of the comic book “Gideon Falls: Firstborn Sin” vol. 2

The first volume of Gideon Falls is a model example of modern horror. Lemire created an evocative and atmospheric story in which even an inconspicuous barn could arouse anxiety. Anxiety, not fear, but such is the specificity of this medium that comic horror stories cannot scare like their film and book counterparts. Does the second volume change anything in this matter? No. Still, it’s okay.

On the Facebook group “Comics without Borders”, Krzysztof Tymczyński shared this list: “In the years 2018-2020, 52 comics with a script by Jeff Lemire have been or will be released in Poland. In the years 2009-2017 there were such … 3 plus some shorts in printed Ziniol ”. These statistics show how prolific – in terms of writing, and often also graphically – a Canadian artist is. And although publishers repeatedly reach for the titles created by him, there is a common opinion in comics that he is much better at creating his own visions than working with characters created by others. Fortunately, Gideon Falls is in that first group.

Two gideons

The most interesting element in the first volume of Lemire’s horror story was its last page. It’s very easy to make a cheap cliffhanger,whose purpose is to shock the reader. The Canadian creator did not take shortcuts and created something much more interesting. At the very end of the story, a frame was placed, which added a new level of reading to the whole. Well, the title Gideon Falls is both a large and vibrant city and a small town in the province. In the second part of the story, this motive finds its justification: the Black Barn turns out to be a link between dimensions, although the ultimate purpose of the building’s existence is still shrouded in mystery. Meanwhile, the fates of all heroes begin to intertwine. Catholic priest Father Willfred, trying to solve the mystery of modern murders, learns about the long history of the barn. At the same time, but in a completely different place, Norton, undergoing psychiatric treatment, decides to rebuild the damned structure. A dark character with a smile wider than that of Glasgow, whose identity is revealed to the reader, begins to play an increasingly important role. last pageAlthough Original Sins does not have the same strength as in the first volume, it does create an interesting starting point for continuation.

I am very grateful to Lemire for not leading the reader on the nose. The second volume is full of skillful maneuvering between the elements explaining the intrigue and the presentation of the next secrets. I’m reading Outcast at the same time . Obsessed by Robert Kirkman, the story is surprisingly similar to Gideon Falls , and there are obvious pace problems, making the reading far less interesting. The Canadian’s work is here a few classes higher in terms of the script. Yes, wherever you look, pop culture reaches for journeys between dimensions (as in the excellent series Dark), so it is hard to say to what extent it will be developed in later volumes and whether the creator will choose a craftwork or a completely reproductive path. Looking at the pieces of the puzzle to date and the fact that Original Sins are not even half the story, I am hopeful.

Masterful framing

Cartoons Gideon Fallsagain it’s… intriguing. Andrea Sorrentino uses a quasi-realistic style of character creation, on which a specific “vibrating” filter has been applied. The characters’ faces are usually drawn in a very simple way, devoid of any details. At the same time, some of the drawings present a completely different approach, full of sketchy lines. All this is embellished with a sad, devoid of vivid colors from Dave Stewart that perfectly match the story. One element of this comic book puts it on a completely different level from the competition. If the Eisner Award (aka Comic Book Oscars) were awarded for framing, Andrea Sorrentino should definitely have won it. Unfortunately, there is no such category, so I hope that the Italian cartoonist is satisfied with my words of praise. What happens to individual panels it even surpasses the first volume, which was the best graphically laid out comic book I’ve read this year. Where necessary, Sorrentino keeps its creativity in check and, for example, the elements of the exhibition are presented in a classic way. However, when the Black Barn and other supernatural elements enter the game, the frames undergo a creative deconstruction: whether in the form of dozens of little pictures drawn on two sides or panels of various shapes. Other artists should use this comic as an example. whether in the form of dozens of tity-pictures drawn on two sides, or panels of various shapes. Other artists should use this comic as an example. whether in the form of dozens of tycoons-pictures drawn on two sides, or panels of various shapes. Other artists should use this comic as an example.

Scarecrows

Gideon Falls: Original Sins takes the story into a more familiar way to the reader. Nevertheless, it is a great continuation of the previous threads. Does it frighten? Unfortunately, my answer will be negative again. Even a well-coordinated duo like Lemire and Sorrentino cannot change that. It does not matter, and their efforts can embarrass the competition.