Comic Book Review – Red Prophet: The Tales Of Alvin Maker # 2
Writer: Orson Scott Card
Pencilers: Renato Arlem
Cover Artist: Renato Arlem
Publisher: Dabel Brothers
Publication Date: June 2006
Orson Scott Card’s ‘Alvin Maker’ world begins to open up to us in this second volume of Red Prophet by Dabel Brothers Productions. Here we step outside the tense and squalid setting of Carthage City with Lolla-Wossiky.
The North American wilderness isn’t the only frontier we explore. Lolla-Wossiky himself is revealed to be a character of some depth and complexity, haunted by the after-effects of childhood tragedy, shattered yet driven.
Lolla-Wossiky sets out from Cathage on a quest, carrying little more than a keg of ‘likker’. Don’t worry, it’s medicinal. Seriously, judicious small doses of whisky keep away the ‘black noise’ that cripples his mind.
We learn that Lolla-Wossiky is a man born proufoundly in tune with nature, more so than even the other red men. He’s questing north to meet his dream beast, which has been calling him to his destiny.
As it turns out, he discovers a white settlement unlike any he’s seen before. The people are clean and god-fearing, and welcome him with their non-homicidal hospitality.
Here Lolla-Wossiky’s tale intersects with the tale of Alvin Miller, a boy who has a lot of strange things happen around him.
Yet again, Dabel Brothers Productions team have delivered a strong adaptation of Card’s fantasy classic. It’s staying as interesting, with Lolla-Wossiky’s new depth, and the range of new, strong characters introduced.
We learn more about Card’s world where folk magic is real, and get an idea of magic’s ubiquity, and the diversity of opinions on the subject. Lolla-Wossiky, as an outsider and gifted with second sight, is of course a good observer of white society.
The various players in the story are still being put into place, and it looks like being a solid dramatic tale. It’s not an action comic in any sense – the most violent events happen in retrospect, which I thought defused the tension somwehat. Not that I’d want to see it laden with pointless violence and cheap cliffhangers.
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