I have a secret belief that musicians might be the best comic creators in the biz. There is something about the way musicians tackle the pages of comics. They tend to have a music to them. Grant you, this book has a ton of music in it anyway, but even so, there was a beat in Speck Thompson’s books that is uniquely his.
The Book
Legacy of the View
Created and Written by Curtis “Specks” Thompson
Illustrated by Yusuph Shittuh
Colored by Adesida Damilola/Yusuph Shittuh (Issue 2)
Lettered by Johnfred Franklin/Lonzo Starr (Issue 2)
Edits by Lonzo Starr
Published by Specks Vision
Legacy of the View issue one opens with a high school student named Chaz daydreaming in the third person. I have to admit I popped when I read the dialogue. It reminded me very much of a young Dwayne Johnson in WWE. The scene shifts back to reality and Chaz is in a sound booth, listening to an artist record some music, which to me seems very cool. The opening feels very down to earth. You can tell there is experience from the writer in that environment
Once the recording scene is gone, Chaz witnesses a crime and transforms into The View. As the View, Chaz saves the civilian from a drug addict and proceeds on to his day. The scene then transforms into seeing some mysterious demonic like creatures showing up in the background. The comic ends. All in all, it’s a fun, if brief start. My only complaint about issue one is that it’s a little too short for my own good. It’s a solid start but would have liked a few more pages.
I get that wish with issue two. Issue two starts with a news report talking about the events at the end of issue one, and a kidnapping, in which Chaz has to deal with. We get a glimpse of Chaz’ family right before the action picks up. All in all, Thompson does a very good job introducing elements of Chaz’ life between the action.
From there Chaz as the View takes on an army of demons and rescues the kidnapped, and in the process, you get to see a glimpse of Chaz’ abilities. He chops through the howlers like a one man gang. The action is fun. Shittuh has a fun kinetic style and his colors in issue two create some fun choices from dialogue to the scene of the battle.
Legacy of the View is an old school comic that reminds me a little bit of Bob Hall’s Shadowman mixed with Cowboy Bebop. There is a sense of distinct style with each issue, very much like the tracks of songs in an album. There is a lyrical quality to Thompson’s words that reminds me of bars from a rap album. They are catchy and a decent slice of substance. Specks is growing as a writer with each passing issue. He’s growing more comfortable as it goes.
Shittuh is a great illustrator, that I feel got to really cut loose with the second issue. The colors added a brighter, more energetic palette to his pencils, and it compliments the story well. The lettering in issue two finds its groove as well with Lonzo Starr.
All in all, it’s a fun, old school superhero story. I think you guys would dig it.
The Business
I want to thank people here at First Comics that have listened to my podcast. As it stands I’m very close to my first thousand play/download week, and I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for it. I’m looking for sponsors, and if anyone reading this is a comic creator with a Kickstarter you can give me a shout.
Also, don’t forget to watch my episodes on Twitch. I got Xin Xing on Friday. I can’t wait.
I got a few other things in the fire I can’t talk about yet. That said, I have an amazing cover to reveal next week with my next book Alice Won?. Kenzie Carr killed it and I can’t wait to show it.
Alright, next week, I do a fun book from image comics. Afterward, Frank Cho is doing some fun stuff too. After that, we do a start of a fun two parter. I’ll be reviewing Far Sector, the entire run. NK Jemesin did something incredible making the best Green Lantern comic, and I can’t wait to talk about it. But first, we talk about gods from Image. Until next week, keep staying inspired, and keep making beautiful things.
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