Comic Review - Rachel Rising: The Shadow of Death

Book: Rachel Rising: The Shadow of Death (Issues #1-6)Written By: Terry MoorePencils By: Terry moorePublisher: Abstract StudioRelease Date: OUT NOW IN STORES & DIGITAL DOWNLOAD (VIA COMIXOLOGY)Rating

rating: 5

Rachel Rising tells the tale of Rachel. She wakes up in a shallow grave and unsure of what's happened to her and upon returning to her home town realises that she's lost a few days and could very well have been murdered. So on the surface this new Terry Moore project could very well get lumped in with the current admiration of zombie comics, except this is Terry Moore, a master storyteller and artist and his real world approach to the living dead isn't about feet dragging and moaning for the love of brains. Our lead, Rachel is classic Terry Moore really. A strong central female, who feels real and despite the comic book nature of the story approaches the situation she's in fairly realistically. The tale unravels at a steady pace with the mystery deepening at every turn. Strangers commenting on how Rachel isn't Rachel at all and a sense that something much darker is happening is well woven into the story. The sub plots of a mysterious blonde woman's presence causing some of the town folk to kill their loved ones feels perfectly occult and odd enough to make the woman a villain without the cliché big monologues and twiddling of moustaches (not that she's got one but you get the picture) and there's an uncertain feeling of what Rachel may be becoming that's also a big draw here. Any fans of Terry Moore's Echo will know how good Moore is at telling a story that slow burns its way to greatness. I can't think of many other writers who manage to create comic books worlds full of so many well rounded characters like he can and Rachel Rising is no exception. Everyone from Rachel herself down to the soon to be married couple in the bar are memorable and add something to the story. Small touches in dialogue, such as Rachel's uncontrollable warning to a stranger in the bathroom when she tells her "You'll be dead soon, I can feel it" turns the story down another route that you don't feel is coming and despite the everyday locations here, big plot moves still manage to come about with unexpected twists and turns. Now to leave this review without mentioning Moore's fantastic artwork would be a crime. In a comic book world where computer assisted art can make pretty much anyone look good, its refreshing to see the astonishing lines of Moore's work on the black and white pages outshining the very best talent in mainstream comics...again. Terry Moore is a master at what he does and the subtle character traits and the delicate moments he summons out of his artwork has a cinematic touch that is often more effective than the big Hollywood style set pieces that superhero comics throw out. Simply put Terry Moore has be be considered as one of the best comic book artists around and the fact he can write this well too would make me sick with envy if I didn't love his work so damn much. So six issues in and I'm hooked to Rachel Rising already. When Echo finished its run there was a Terry Moore sized hole left in my comic book reading and its been filled here with a story that I want to know the outcome of. Who the hell is this mysterious woman that keeps showing up and what was with the change of clothes just before the snow started to fall? (great moment by the way) Is Rachel's 'condition' going to change? How the hell did she end up in that shallow grave exactly and what draws other people to the same area? That creepy snake lady...wow! and the closing scenes of issue six, already heartbreaking stuff and I feel like I've only just got to know these characters... Oh and what the hell is going on with that old guy and his long dead wife? Rachel Rising isn't a mainstream title and I'm not sure how many Marvel and DC readers will leave their comfort zones to give it a shot but anyone out there who likes the look of the few frames featured here, give it a go. If you haven't read any Terry Moore before, this is a fine place to start and in a world where a lot of comics seem to be chasing the tails of Hollywood for recognition, leaving behind genuine character driven drama for big events and explosions, it's good to see a title that balances it all and shows exactly what comic books can be great at.