By Larry Jorash — James Stokoe has a bold new title on shelves this week with Orphan and the Five Beasts #1. It is definitely a unique, singular vision, with Stokoe writing, illustrating, and lettering the work. What works very well here is that Stokoe adeptly weaves through common comic tropes while also navigating a unique narration.

This isn’t a story you’ve read before, but it’s still warm and familiar like one that you have — at least at first.

The art is perhaps this book’s strongest quality. A rainbow color palette fills the pages in an almost sun-faded tone, putting itself into a niche reminiscent of old Turok comics from the 1990s. This all changes though as the issue progresses, eventually ending at a darker, more erratic place.

The art also gets more loose and wild, and as our climactic first-issue fight begins, we see all a casual manga-esque aesthetic take hold.

There are gross visuals, splatter effects, and rampant onomatopoeia. This is also, unfortunately, the part of the story that may lose some animal lovers, as we see the death of a horse in spectacular fashion. This development does detract from the beauty of the book, but it also invites a more rigid and action-oriented mood that fits our story’s overarching narrative.

Orphan and the Five Beasts #1 rests in a unique space in comics, adopting the action and sequencing of a high octane manga and meshing it under traditional formatting from most western books. James Stokoe has done a commendable job piecing together a book like this, no question.

Overall: Orphan and the Five Beasts #1 as a story will fit a very particular sort of comic fan. Those who love epic-journey stories like Conan the Barbarian, or full fledged, action-manga like Naruto are sure to find their eyes a home here. 7.5/10

REVIEW: Orphan and the Five Beasts #1

Orphan and the Five Beasts #1
Writer, Letterist, & Artist: James Stokoe
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
A brand-new kung-fu epic from James Stokoe, the creator behind Orc Stain and Aliens: Dead Orbit!
Spurred on by her master's dying words, the adopted warrior ''Orphan Mo'' seeks to find and kill five former disciples who now threaten the land with corruption from their demonic powers. Part Five Deadly Venoms and part surreal grindhouse, James Stokoe brings his knack for ultra-detailed fantasy imagery and over-the-top violence to this classic tale of revenge.
Release Date: March 17, 2021
Price: $3.99

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Larry Jorash resides in Central Florida managing a comic book shop and coaching youth sports. In his spare time he enjoys watching ice hockey and reading. You will almost never find his hand vacant of coffee. Find him on twitter: (@theREALlarbear)