Herald, Not Harold

This week, I want to introduce you to a great comic series: Herald: Lovecraft & Tesla, by John Reilly (writer), Tom Rogers (pencils), and Dexter Weeks (inks and colors). There are two reasons for this: one, it’s a really entertaining series; two, the series’ title sounds a lot like my comic’s title, and it seemed like I ought to address that.

My collection!

By the time I met author John Reilly at a local comics convention a year or so ago, and first bought and read Herald, my Harold already had his name. Though I don’t think there’s any particular likelihood of potential readers confusing the two comics, it seems like a good opportunity to direct more attention to a comic that deserves as much success as it can get.

Also, as a member of the cult, I’m pretty much required to recommend the book.

Basically spoiler-free synopsis: In Herald: Lovecraft & Tesla, famed inventor Nikola Tesla, recently engaged to Amelia Earhart, turns to occultist and author Howard (H.P.) Lovecraft for help after one of Tesla’s inventions strands Earhart in another dimension. Lovecraft, meanwhile, is in pursuit of a copy of the Necronomicon, racing against Cthulhu cultists bent on evil. As the two men work together, they encounter other historical figures, including Thomas Edison, Harry Houdini, Albert Einstein, Mark Twain, and a number of others. Honestly, things get crazier and crazier with every new issue.

John Reilly’s writing is consistently witty, and he keeps the story moving at a satisfying clip. I’ve really loved the way he weaves historical figures and events into the narrative; it reminds me of the way the Sleepy Hollow TV show did the same thing, which I (almost) always enjoyed. I’m not quite sure where the story is ultimately headed, but the read is so enjoyable that I’m content to wait and see.

Tom Rogers’ and Dexter Weeks’ artwork starts strong, and then improves with each issue. It’s always crisp, clean, and handles the weirdness of some of the situations (a possessed stack of books, for example) with flair. I’m also struck by how easily the reader can distinguish between the various characters, despite the fact that a good number of them are dark-haired white men in suits; Houdini is clearly Houdini, etc. (It sounds like an obvious thing, but believe me when I tell you that drawing similar characters in a quickly identifiable way is tough.)

If you want to check the series out--and you should!--here are a few links:

On ComiXology:https://goo.gl/kHKKWU

On Amazon: https://goo.gl/ygnDpz

They’re also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeraldComic/

And Twitter: (@HeraldComic)

Last year, they successfully Kickstartered a tabletop role-playing game set in the world of the comic, complete with fantastic miniatures. (I’m a sucker for games with cool miniatures; Zombicide, anyone?) It’s in the preorder phase at the moment, but it looks like a good time. You can find that here: https://goo.gl/CdDdiQ

Go give this utterly unique comic a read, and then meet me back here on Monday for the next page of Harold & The Monster! Thanks for reading.