“Of Ichor & Bone” Review- The Beauty Of The Unknown
Written by Asa Wheatley
Art by Sammy Ward and JP Jordan
Recently, I have been fortunate enough to participate and back a number of indie comic creator Kickstarters, and I think it is high time that I shared with you at least one example of the exceptional creative work in the comic book sphere that is out there waiting for you- as long as you look for it.
“Of Ichor & Bone” is the latest One-Shot comic from writer Asa Wheatley, who you might have seen floating around the interwebs the past few years as a writer of consistently exciting and well made medieval fantasy and horror comics (such as Shield Maiden). “Of Ichor & Bone” derives from a similar vein, existing in the all too rare merged genre of “medieval horror fantasy,” that I for one would like to see much more representation of. Especially after seeing the genre so capably rendered by artist Sammy Ward, with classic framing and inventive creature design, and the added “stained glass window-esque” coloration from JP Jordan.
What makes “Of Ichor & Bone” so exciting a book, is that it is a pure distillation of the immense talent in the indie comic book scene from every single person involved in its production. Even as a one-shot, with a limited page count, the emotional and thematic depth of this story is undeniable and impressive to say the least.
Furthermore, the inception and production of this title is a poignant lesson for aspiring creators. In the afterword section of this release (which also features insightful commentary from letterer, Chris Mole) Asa Wheatley relays that “Ichor & Bone” began as a much shorter submission to an anthology series in 2022. As a writer myself, I have always found the various, meandering routes through which a story evolves to see the light of day to be fascinating. In the case of “Of Ichor & Bone,” Wheatley’s careful editing and attention to thematic detail in order to flesh out this story from 8 pages to 32 without losing the key elements of what made it so personally alluring is both evident and infectious. “Of Ichor & Bone” is literally, and conveniently metaphorically, a story of perseverance and faith in one’s self.
But let us talk more specifically about the details of this hopeful yet brutal parable, which means,
WARNING! MINOR PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD- BUT NOT MANY BECAUSE I WOULD RATHER YOU SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL RELEASE!
Our story begins in the Kingdom of Aldar, with a glorious splash page depicting the throne room of the benevolent Queen Valerie as she assigns her loyal knight, Aethelflaed, with an obscure quest. Evidently, Aethelflaed has grown accustomed to the comforts of the castle for several years and so the Queen orders her to venture forth into the world and return with a story.
From this first page, Wheatley imbues this fantasy tale with a reflective and relatable sentiment that lingers throughout the rest of the story. This subtle commentary allows for “Of Ichor & Bone” to connect with the reader on a much deeper level than the surface spectacle of the piece, reminding us that life, terrifying and unpredictable as it is, is meant to be experienced.
From here, we follow Aethelflaed on her journey through the abandoned battlefields surrounding the long since peaceful Kingdom of Aldar, as she reflects on the triumphant battles of old that brought her glory. Journeying within the boundary of these ruins, she is soon beset upon by skeletal warriors that she admits should be no challenge, but end up winding her.
The artwork in this early section of our story is imperative to establish the mood and context of our world, which Ward capably delivers, crafting picturesque landscapes and towering castles paired with classic smoke covered chasms and rusty sword wielding skeletal warriors. These scenes ease the reader into the story, fulfilling an unconscious wish for classic medieval fantasy imagery before we settle into the more unique elements of our story.
However, before diving into what is ostensibly the crux of this horror fantasy tale, Wheatley delves further into thematic territory as Aethelfled encounters a fellow wandering knight of a noble order, and disparages her own accomplishments and temperament by comparison.
This quiet moment allows us to once again emotionally invest in our protagonist in an all too human moment of vulnerability. Additionally, this scene speaks to the larger intent of the story, commenting on the internal struggle of imposter syndrome, fear of the unknown, and anxiety. All of which are surprising, but effective themes for this genre piece to touch on. By the time our story dives into more overt magical and grotesque horror territory, the reader can’t help but feel tied to Aetheflaed’s story in an inexorable way, rooting for her as she finds herself trapped in a mysterious netherrealm after an encounter with another traveler on the road.
If you are looking for a unique, memorable, visually stunning comic book story, and have the means to support a group of talented emerging artists, then you should absolutely seek out “Of Ichor & Bone” for your next evening read. It is the kind of story that occupies your brain subconsciously and stirs thoughts you may not have known resided therein, with gorgeous, inventive, and action-packed artwork to boot.
As always, I would encourage you as a fan of literary fiction to invest time in supporting indie art such as this get made by encouraging a friend or fellow artist, donating to Kickstarters and other fundraisers, or checking out the local artists section of your local comic book store!
-Nicholas Aaron Hodge
