By Steve Baxi — The social and economic fallout of the first World War is a relatively underexplored setting in fiction. However, it seems as though that gap has been recognized and rectified widely in the last few years. Films like 1917, for example, attempt to anchor the convoluted logic behind the conflict into something that can be understood from the perspective of a single cog in that war machine.

The Brother of All Men — by Zac Thompson, Eoin Marron, Mark Englert and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou — moves us slightly further out, looking at the life of a detective searching for personal answers in the midst of a historical period where society at large is looking for a way to move on from their last major conflict. This opening chapter is a strong, slow burn mystery that satisfies any craving for classic noir, with the added twist of a 1928 Canadian setting.

Zac Thompson has become a prolific writer, working on everything from the Buffyverse to the X-Men line. However, his output from AfterShock has been the most interesting as it traverses multiple genres, as Thompson attempts to bring the same intimate focus to everything from Sci-Fi horror to historical fiction. His strengths are apparent in The Brother of All Men, as he’s able to slip into the slang and cadence of an old war drama easily. At times, the dialogue can feel a bit over the top, leaning a bit too much into the recognized tropes of a noir detective story, but the conceptual hook is unique enough to keep the story engaging. Rarely do you read about detectives themselves being swayed by their targets, and contrasting that to the search for meaning in post-war Canada allows for a compounded historical drama that keeps me reading.  

Equally, Eoin Marron and Mark Englert’s work on art drenches the page in personality and atmosphere. The linework from Marron gives the book a firm, tangible, messy texture that parallels the conflicted feelings of our protagonist. The added grit harkens back to the best of noir, as it shows the world for what it truly is rather than a clean, nostalgic filter. The colors by Englert enhance this approach as everything is ever so slightly faded, you can almost taste the dirt and grass on the page. Marron’s pencils would be easy to bury, but Englert enhances them by using nuanced colors that compliment Marron’s approach.

At its core, The Brother of All Men is a story about finding personal meaning, both in the search itself and in the tangible hope of human connection. Everyone is looking for reflection and enlightenment. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering thus uses his trademark slightly imperfect text bubbles to enhance that feeling of personal turmoil. Every exchange has a shakiness to it, no one feels completely confident in what they are saying. And yet, balloons often stack on top of each other, as if they take refuge in the knowledge that no one else is completely sure of themselves either.

The narrations are done through a slightly more traditional journal aesthetic, with slight tears on the bottom of each box. These inner thoughts often read more concretely than dialogue. However, as the story progresses and the inner monologue starts to dominate the page, the same insecurities erupt, more tears appear and we are greeted again by the unstable nature of what we’re witnessing.

The Brother of All Men opens with a strong premise and execution by the creative team. The added historical context helps give the narrative gravity, and the artistic and lettering choices demonstrate the human side of the conflict in subtle and intimate ways. There is no shortage of noir detective comics on the stands these days, and so this series attempts to throw a wrinkle into the formula, ultimately helping it to stand out.

Overall: A good opening issue, with great art and unique lettering choices takes what might be just another mystery comic and turn into something to watch out for. 7/10.

Review: The Brother of All Men #1

The Brother of All Men #1
Writer: Zac Thompson
Artist: Eoin Marron
Colorist: Mark Englert
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: AfterShock Comics
Price: $4.99
It is 1928. Veteran of the Great War and part-time private eye Guy Horn travels to a remote community in Western Canada to retrieve his estranged brother from the clutches of a dangerous cult. As Guy struggles to gain control of his own personal demons, he’s tantalized by the cause and its charismatic leader, Brother XII.
Publication Date: July 13, 2022

Read more great graphic novel and trade collection reviews!

Steve Baxi has a Masters in Ethics and Applied Philosophy, with focuses in 20th Century Aesthetics and Politics. Steve creates video essays and operates a subscription based blog where he writes on pop culture through a philosophy lens. He tweets through @SteveSBaxi.