“Now And Then”
Writer/Artist: Martin Eden
Publisher: Ominous Comics
(11a Gatestone Road, Upper Norwood, London, SE19 3AT)
(http://www.theomen.free-online.co.uk/)
So, only a handful of issues are left until this epic super soap opera wraps up its first volume, yet Martin Eden still unveils new mysteries and asks questions, even as other puzzles are being solved. The tension running up to the finale is palpable, yet Eden draws us back from that and shows us more of the wonders of the O Men universe. A lesser writer might struggle with that and end up completely faffing up the building excitement, but Eden pulls it off through intelligent use of flashbacks and parallel narratives. And then he ends the issue with a cliffhanger which will have long term readers jumping with excitement, unable to wait to see what happens next issue. Argh!
There are a couple of choppy moments in the art, but on the whole it’s an excellent job. Eden’ s storytelling skills more than make up for the occasional anatomical or rendering error, and he’s a master at facial expressions and body language. Blackie’s expression on page twelve is chilling in its calm sadism, and I love the comfortable, cheerful, and yet slightly smug and mysterious smile on Starman’s face when he arrives (speaking of which, I love Starman’s character design). This issue has a great cover too: a simple yet effective image which I’d love to see coloured and blown up as a cover for one of the collections, or even as a poster.
I wouldn’t recommend this particular issue to a new reader, as we’re so close to the finale now, but it’s still an excellent issue, and I’d encourage anyone unfamiliar with The O Men to go and pick up the back issue collections to bring them up to speed. Easily the best comic I’ve read in months.
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