PopSyndicate.com

I think you are going to need more than a few coins to get past this Ferryman…

I find myself pleased when I pick up a book by an author I think I know and find them writing a book so different from the experience I have with them that I literally put a book down in shock.  Marc Andreyko managed that affect on me with his new series Ferryman.  Familiar with Manhunter, but seeing it under the Wildstorm logo, I did not know what to expect.  What I got out of one issue was a macabre tale of murder, intrigue and violence on a rather grotesque level. 

The original Greek tale of the Ferryman tells you of Phlegyas (also called Charon)who ferries people across the river Styx to Hades from Earth.  Andreyko’s Ferryman tells of a different tale.  Ferrymen, still used to bring people to hell, now seem to be mortals who work for what appears as a personification of the Devil.  Named Webster.  Can’t have the macabre without a healthy dose of the weird.  Ferryman follows ex-detective Gideon Thorne as Webster gives him one last job so he can earn his ‘pension.’  This issue clues us into Thorne’s horrific past as well as showcasing some of the other… people.. that work for Webster.  Toss in some gore and extreme violence and you have a pretty good idea of what to expect . 

Andreyko’s dark sense of mood, intermingled with almost inappropriate humor, really shines in this book.  I cannot think of many things darker to write about than a sympathetic character that ruins the sympathy by dragging other people to their ends.  This is not a superhero book and I think it really shows that Andreyko writes a good story even when the main character does not strap on spandex and beat up super-villains. Though, I am noticing a trend with writing about murdering for justice between the two books. 

Not being familiar with Jonathan Wayshak’s art, I did a little research.  What I found will most likely ruin sleep for me for the next several days.  Check out www.scrapbookmanifesto.com to see what I mean.  To say that his art fits the tone of the book intimately probably lacks proper enthusiasm.  I am almost surprised that he can draw people in such ordinary, recognizable shapes after look at the work on his site.  The art does compliment the story well though.  It adds to the surrealism of the story.  Gabe Eltaeb’s colors bring a shine to a rather dark story and work extremely well with Jonathan’s art.

Ferryman took me a bit by surprise.  From the twisted cover I had no idea what to expect, but I do not think it was close to anything I would have imagined.  Ferryman twists an old legend into a very provocative idea about the modern world. I am not sure we will see a lot of happiness out of this book, but I think Andreyko’s dark humor will keep this book from being an overly depressing nightmare. 

Ferryman #2
Guess Who’s Coming To Kill You?
Writer: Marc Andreyko
Artist: Jonathan Wayshak
Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb
Letterer: Rob Leigh

3