Cracking, classic gangster story shifted into a new context. Thesz city is the only location on the continent free from elvish law. Powerful gangsters who vie to control the trade in Magic Powder provide the only law it has. The Dwarvfather is the most powerful gangster in Thesz, he controls the Magic Powder supply. A raid at a Magic Powder collection creates an opportunity for an elf to break the status quo in his favour and unleash death and chaos on Thesz City.
Jeffery Paul Louis Schiller takes a template from countless films and stories for Magic Powder. This is a great idea as the template is powerful and gives lots of opportunities for talent to play with. There is much more going on that simply applying a fresh coat of paint to a human based story. The additional information provided on the cast by a mysterious source gives the context depth and weight. The competing groups are distinct and determined. Deliberate confusion, who is behind the damage, has everyone turning on each other as the new status quo is being established. Jeffery Paul Louis Schiller uses classic gangster move and tropes with obvious skill and intent.
Danie Aquilani’s art is a pleasure to read. She has created a cast that is full of life and energy. The choice to dress characters in distinct styles from different eras is smart. It evokes the cinema history of gangsters without being obvious. They superbly put together the entire package. The colours bring out the detail of the art and the story. They create a forceful tone for the story. The lettering is quiet and very effective; it leads the read through the story with ease.
