Graphic Content
By Wally Flores Jr.

Every once in a while you find some comics that come from the path "less traveled." Not really by writers, but by readers. I think writers sometimes have really interesting and original ideas that they would like to get out there, but that it's difficult for publishers to justify giving them the backing they need to get noticed. It's an understandable business decision, but I have to wonder what kinds of ideas have never seen the light of day because of choices like that. Anyway, right now I'm reading two titles that I would definitely qualify as being on that less traveled path of readers. This becomes a bit more obvious as they aren't carried under the "main" header of the parent companies, but by more of a "sub" header, one being Marvel's 'Icon' line and the other being DC's 'Vertigo' (always a safe bet to be different and interesting). With that said, let me give you some quick comments about these two titles and my opinion as to who might be interested in them. The Book of Lost Souls This title comes to us through Marvel's 'Icon' corner. It's a story of a man named Jonathan and a cat named Mystery. The third issue of this title has just recently been released, but there is a consistent thread that has already run through the first few issues. What this title is looking at so far are the experiences of individuals who are at a difficult point in their life. So far the experiences are all tied into a theme of "loss," but I don't think that will always be the case. Of course, I can't be certain. The nice thing about this title is that it combines humanism with a mystic feeling. It allows for the idea that there is something greater than ourselves at work in this world and that if we are willing to being open to help, it is there. That isn't to say that the choices made will be easy, but only that help through the time will be present. Jonathan and Mystery offer that help (sometimes it seems Mystery does it reluctantly) to those that need it. So far they seem to be doing a fairly good job of offering, but I'll let you find out if people choose to take it or not. If you're someone who has a touch of concern for the other people who inhabit this planet then I think this is a title that you'll enjoy. J. Michael Straczynski does an excellent job of throwing out a nice combination of mystical feeling and melodramatic psychological observations from Jonathan and Mystery. I think it would seem a "touch much" under some circumstances but for this title I think it works. Colleen Doran's artwork is excellent support for Staczysnki's writing. She is able to convey much of what the characters are going through in their facial expressions, especially their eyes. So far each issue stands alone very well. If you were to jump on with the third issue you'd probably be fine as understating Jonathan and Mystery at this point are not a necessity, though I believe some knowledge of Jonathan's past will help for what may come down the road in his experiences. This is Straczynski we're talking about here, so never make the assumption that something that seems forgettable actually is. Testament Coming from DC's 'Vertigo' line is Testament. This title is written by Douglas Rushkoff with Liam Sharp doing the artwork. I'll have to wait to see how Sharp's artwork works for me, and the title, over time but he seems to have a pretty good range. For now I am focused on his ability to work with people and their body language as I believe that is where much of the unsaid elements of the story will come from. As far as the story itself goes I can't say too much as I don't know that much because only the first issue of the title has come out so far. However, it's definitely something that catches my attention. There have been comments about it being a different view of the Bible, or more of a "continuation." What does seem to be consistent, even in my own reading of the first issue is that the characters will be looking for that thing that connects them all inside while battling the things that separate them on the outside. I think it's going to come down to a political and religious battle in a vein similar to Phil Jimenez's Otherworld (also through Vertigo). The big difference though is that this appears much easier to understand (Otherworld is a touch convoluted at times) and identify with. In the first issue it is established that it's likely the United States could end up fighting on six different war fronts, that a draft was finally being put into effect and that at least youth (if not all eligible people) were going to be "tagged" with trackers as another way to help in the draft. Needless to say that if you actually read current events you can see that the base formula for this work of fiction is already in motion in the real world today (though right now I'm only counting four war fronts for the near future). The elements are separate, but they are there. I think this title has the potential for getting some people's brains going and perhaps even leading to some meaningful discussion for some folks. I've always said that the reason people say you shouldn't talk about religion and politics is that talking about them reveals your true colors and most of us can't deal with that level of truth. Maybe Testament could prove to be a vehicle through which some learn to deal with their own truth. I guess we shall see. If you're someone who is interested in current events, politics, or religion (or a combination) then you would probably be interested in checking Testament out. So, if you're looking for something without spandex that will actually get your mind going check out one, or both, of these titles. I can't say that if you like one title you'll like the other, but considering all the changes that seem to be taking place in the "mainstream" worlds of DC and Marvel perhaps looking at what they're offering up off the beaten path might not be a bad idea.

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