Orphan and the Five Beasts
Writer: James Stokoe
Artist: James Stokoe
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
James Stokoe is a creator who embodies the phrase ‘quality over quantity’.
A cursory glance at his output shows a creator loved by critics and fans alike, someone who delivers excellence no matter what he’s working on.
Nearly always pulling creative double-duty, the additional time he devotes to his output shows a writer and artist willing to take the time necessary to deliver excellent calibre comic books. It's refreshing in the world of comics, where some major writers have multiple titles on-the-go, and are outputting new issues every single week (spelling mistakes and all), and where publishers have no hesitation in switching out artists and destroying the artistic cohesion of a book, so long as this ensures that they'll stay on publishing schedule.
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Not so for James Stokoe and Dark Horse Comics, with over six months passing between the second and third issues of ‘Orphan and the Five Beasts’. While for some that may be comic book anathema, the brilliance that is finally delivered cannot be argued with. And for anyone thinking they’re making a smart argument that huge release gaps make it hard to remember characters and plot points, no reader of ‘Orphan and the Five Beasts’ would have needed their arm twisted to re-read the previous issue as a memory refresher. When a book is this good, it demands multiple readings.
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A kung-fu epic that is constantly captivating, crazy, and, at times, a bit creepy, on page after page ‘Beasts’ offers the beautiful detail and care that Stokoe is known for. Spurred on by her master's dying words, the adopted warrior, Orphan Mo seeks to find and kill her master’s former disciples who now threaten the land with corruption from their demonic powers. Mo’s journey will be dangerous, violent, confusing, and hard-fought, with failure not an option.
Once its fourth and final issue is released in 2022, it will be a long-coming and well-earned conclusion for readers and author alike. When ‘Orphan and the Five Beasts’ is finally released in full as a trade paperback, it's a certainty to find a devoted and enamoured audience, cementing James Stokoe as a must purchase creator for comic book devotees.
Want more of 2021’s greatest comics? Visit Amazon to purchase the full length ‘Best Comic Books of 2021’ book or eBook. It contains 45 detailed essays reviewing the year's best comic book titles.
After more comic book news and reviews? The Sea Shell mobile app is available worldwide as a free download on the App Store and the Play Store. Download it today.