A very engaging western that uses supernatural elements to great effect. Volume 1 contains chapters 1- 5 the whole story is archived at the website. Vesper Grey is dying of boredom at her aunt’s house, left there by her father, an archeologist (Indiana Jones variety), when he returns and takes her with him on a journey. He is robbed and killed and Vesper pursues a trail of revenge with a companion Corrick. The story is beautifully balanced between the demand of the two genres, Western and supernatural adventure and the result is tremendous fun.
Vesper is very engaging, emerging into her true self as she set out on her journey and discovering the relish for adventure that is vital to the story. She is determined, dangerous and compelling, engaging the reader from the opening with a sharp wit and forceful personality. She is a tremendous Western lead character, capturing the genre requirements and nailing them. Corrick is the other element of the story, his presence never undermis or overwhelms the Western element, it is a smart counterpoint that instead brings out the depth in the genre and gives a additional depth and flavour. The action takes clasic Western sets up and uses them with joyous confidence and zest, they are neatly and cleverly subverted without ever being mishandled.
The art is a pleasure, from the opening sequence, the powerful expressiveness of the art captures the context and cast with force and care, the core of the story and the cast are established with astonishing economy and effectiveness and as the story doubles back and the details are delivered, the promise of the opening is delivered upon in spades.
The colouring is great, it gives the details definition and weight as well as capturing the tone of the story and strongly expressing it. The sound effects are spot on, they give the story the required boost when needed. There are never enough really good Westerns, Plume is one and a delight to read.
