Review: Orphan and the Five Beasts #1

 

In Orphan and the Five Beasts #1, Renaissance man James Stokoe introduces us to Mo. She spends her days training, and caring for her aging guardian. She strives to learn all the teachings of her adoptive house, and master its precepts.

One day, the apprentice finds a dying man branded with a strange symbol.

That evening, her master relates the sad history of their house, and how it has affected their land.

He tells her of a cruel aggressor who once terrorized their land. He also mentions the five men who asked him to give them the knowledge of his house, so they could defend their homes and villages.

Despite the way the invader devastated their land, the master refused their request. Unlike Mo, these villagers had not studied to learn such powerful knowledge. Nor had they trained to master the abilities they sought.  

 

Still, the men refused to leave him, and the people suffered. Reluctantly, the master bestowed one aspect of his house upon each man. Each promised that after using his newfound power to turn back the invader, he would return to the master, and devote himself to his teachings. 

Sadly, after safeguarding their homes, none of the five men returned. Over time, the power so easily gained unbalanced and corrupted them. In seeking to defend against a raging monster, they become monsters themselves.

 

 

So Mo is forced to leave her home, redeem her master's failure, and save her land from the depredation caused by the beasts these one-time saviors have become.

In Orphan and the Five Beasts #1, James Stokoe blends intricate artwork with a timeless story. Each panel is filled with expressive and detailed linework. His coloring, at once realistic and psychedelic, is reminiscent of the old days of four-color comics, but with today's graduated tones and shadings. His narrative boxes relate the history of their land, while his dialogue balloons reveal the strength and balance of his characters.

 

James Stokoe makes me yearn to know more of this earlier phase of this land's history. I wonder if Mo's parents were simple peasants who died amid the fighting. Or might she not really be an orphan, and her father one of the land's five would-be saviors?

If James Stokoe doesn't cover Mo's origins in this four-issue series, perhaps he will do so a prequel series someday.

In the remaining issue, I look forward to seeing how Mo erases her master's shame while safeguarding her homeland. I expect lots of martial arts action, along with Stokoe's unique over-the-top humor that makes this serious story more interesting.

With Orphan and the Five Beasts #2 coming out this week, check out this miniseries if you have not already done so. I don't know how Orphan Mo can possibly tackle all five of these superhuman beasts in the three remaining issues, but I look forward to finding out.

Orphan and the Five Beasts #1 is $3.99, and available from Dark Horse Comics.

Dragon Dave