Graphic Novel Review...

Who on Earth was Thaddeus Mist?

by Owen Michael Johnson & Various, Accent UK

IT IS the funeral of Thaddeus Mist, a man known to many, but in different guises; even his own, but newly-wed wife, Zelda, holds an opinion on him that differs. in fact as the story progresses she feels she hardly knew him at all.

Accent UK established themselves producing anthologies but this was one with a difference: the same character, or rather scenario, plays out throughout a linear storyline (with flashbacks) as different pairings of writers and artists each contributed chapters.

For the most part complimentary artists are featured, even when their styles differentiate. Similarly, many of the names featured are unknown or relatively so, but most are skilled and versatile. With regards to the writing, yes, you can tell the differing styles - some more purple prose afflicted others more pulp styled as they mimic a Victoriana narrative, but they also appear to have been edited into a generally coherent to read, as one voice - or many voices coming together in a crowded room and us as readers picking up on different aspects of the various conversations going on.

The lettering is done skilfully and effectively without intrusion on the visual proceedings. However, the odd balloon moves to the wrong person and there are occasional typos on random pages, more so in the latter quarter, and in an independent work such as this that is no great surprise (Accent UK were made aware of this by me at the time of publication and know to make changes should there be a second edition). I am put off by the newer trend of American style comic lettering where to intimate whispering words are faded rather than the traditional broken line balloon affect, and using grey fonts (or coloured ones in comics where that’s an option) is hard on the eye.

But the story: Is it a Victorian drama, Georgian? I remain unclear, and it’s possibly unimportant. What we have are pastiches, slight satires and the borrowing of the works of Burroughs, Conan Doyle, Dickens and other literary sorts done with affection. Such period dramas have become popular in fiction of many forms in the last 20 so years – It is not steam punk but it can be said to slip sideways between the sheets of the Wold Newton fictional concepts.

Why? What is this preoccupation with a prior time with our creative fields as we discover ever new perspectives on science and nature?

People seem to be returning back to when new hopes were on the horizon rather than consider the bleakness of today forged by our politicians and banking systems – Frankly too much was bad back then, but we presume that there was optimism in our fictions of yesteryear and perhaps we’ve had just about had enough of having our noses rubbed down in post modernism and need such escapism. We need once more to hope, dream and have us reach for the stars in our fictions - and so the intrigue, whether intended or not, is that we look on what made a man at the time of his funeral. In this case, Thaddeus Mist.

How each person judged him, taking a slice of his being for themselves (or how they perceived that they did) and some experiencing changes, and even an epiphany for a couple or more as they realise their own self-deceit on possibly being taken in are related to us – also of course the way in which he would wish others to perceive him – a pious vicar was enthralled by his tales of murderous adventure and promiscuous bravado, while fallen women of the night know him as a saint. Elsewhere adventure, romance are each given a more than second glance.

Are we looking at history in times gone by and recent – how things have gone wrong? Are we looking at how we lay our own individual thrust on life? Our last stab at immortality in a time so many no longer believe in gods? Is the fiction of our reality as perceived by others the way we want it to be? Instead of wanting our children to reach for the stars and do things we never did, do we spread ourselves too thin trying to be all things to everyone? Or can we inspire others to aspire to their own goals, turn their back on personal prejudices – become a hive mind or individual?

This book gave me a lot to ponder over. It has its faults but it’s a worthy addition to the publishing world, and I’m glad Accent UK brought it out, and for the following list of people for creating it: Edited and compiled by Owen Michael Johnson, aside from himself the writers are Andrew Cheverton, Max Deacon, Ben Dickson, Mark Douglas, Marleen Lowe, Jim Schwitzer and Dave West. The artists are Conor Boyle, Leonardo M. Giron, Steve Howard, Marleen Lowe, MD Penman, Nicola Patten, Rhys L Reed and Jack Tempest. The character of Thaddeus Mist was designed by Mal Earl, the book designed overall by Dani Horton, and lettered by Jim Campbell.

For more about Who on Earth was Thaddeus Mist? visit Accent UK.

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