Clare’s Comics Catalogue – Masque
Hey gang, have I got a great new kickstarter for you all. Masque is a cyberpunk comic from writer/creator John Schlim Jr., with art by EV Cantada and letters by that slightly odd bloke from Madius, you know the one I mean (hi Rob Jones).
Synopsis
What if there was a way to merge magic and science? What if you gained the ability to control technology with a type of cybermysticism? And what if that power helped unveil a deep-rooted conspiracy involving the world’s most powerful politicians and richest entrepreneurs that threatened all of humanity? Would you have the guts to take action?
One man has dared to do just that, a mentally unstable journalist turned masked vigilante
Cyberpunk for days!
It’s been a pretty good year for all things cyberpunk. Late 2017 saw Blade Runner 2049 bringing audiences old and new back to rain soaked streets filled with basic pleasure models and something new. February 2018 brought us the mind-bending Altered Carbon on Netflix, full of violence and sex in a distant future society segregated by money and class. Why am I banging on about those? Well, cos if you’re like me and you love both of those, then I have a feeling you are really going to like Masque.
Review
I think the thing I loved most about Masque is that you are dropped into an established world without any explanation. There’s a guy with what seems to be a split personality disorder, a woman escaping from some sort of breeding facility and a serial killer on the loose. What’s with the other personality? Who was keeping the woman captive?
I imagine these blanks will fill in over the course of the story. For now though, the reader feels as confused and disconnected from reality as protagonist David Atlas. Language, technology, even the landscape, it’s all new for you to navigate. Artist EV Cantada gives it just enough of a gritty edge without it being too dark and next to impossible to figure out what is going on. There’s also a healthy dose of the neon aesthetic that seems to pervade this kind of setting which gets a thumbs up from me!
I’m also really intrigued to find out more about the “cybermysticism” mentioned in the synopsis. There’s a glimpse of what it can do in this issue but that just left me wanting to know more. Speaking of wanting to know more… there’s a sequence on pages 21-22 (at least in the beta version I read) that made my jaw drop and go WTF?! I need answers! Hopefully issue two won’t take too long to follow as I’m quite sure I won’t be the only one waiting with baited breath!
Kickstarter
Masque went live on Kickstarter today and is already a quarter of the way to its target. With 39 days to go, and plenty of perks (and hints about some stretch goals already planned) I think it’s a pretty sure thing to get funded. The comic is finished (and seriously awesome) so as soon as they get funded it’s off to print and you get your goodies. I’m sure you know by now I’m a sucker for a funky comic book t-shirt, so I’m eyeing up the Revolutionary tier ($40) but there are tiers to suit any budget.
There’s also a rather funky Kickstarter only variant cover available at various print levels.
If you’re among the first 40 backers at any print level, you get a very funky die cut fridge magnet AND a badge, so make sure you get in there quick!
