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Story by: Martin Greene
Written by: Mike Lynch
Art by: Paul McCallan
Cover by: Kevin Logue
Published by: Abandoned Comics
REVIEW: It has seemed an age since the first book for Abandoned Comics was announced to when it finally landed, but the wait is finally over as Nestor has arrived. Representing the first comic credit for Martin Greene and scripted by ICNA winning writer Mike Lynch, they are joined by Paul McCallan on art to present the debut issue for the Clare based company.
Based on an idea by Martin Greene and expanded upon by Lynch, the character of Nestor is one which comes across as a guy content to keep in the background. He doesn’t socialise with his workmates often, he has a penchant for Gone with the Wind and has caught the eye of the clerk at the movie store. He is a guy who doesn’t want to attract attention to himself but he is about to be forced out of his comfort zone to avenge the death of his girl Grace. At this point in the story Nestor, distraught that he has lost Grace forgoes his self imposed social exile and lets loose in a vicious manner. For a horror book there is a decent amount of heart in the early part of the book to the point that you get an affection for Nestor but as the story gathers momentum and the dark side of Nestor is brought to the fore, the sheer callousness that he shows those who have wronged him mark him out as a calculating and cold being. This change in personality was absolutely chilling in how it was executed.
I was mightily impressed with the art of Paul McCallan. Seeing it in print you really appreciate how slick the linework is. I don’t think the tone of the story would have been as effective had the book been in colour. The black and white art is a nice counter and McCallan can take a lot of plaudits for his part in the issue. His style is very clean and his layouts particularly in scenes after Nestor finds himself at the hospital are great. There is one panel in the latter part of the book where McCallan showcases how cold Nestor can be when he is standing on the side of the road holding the head of one those he holds responsible for Grace’s death with the guys body slumped at his feet and he looks completely passive. That panel told a lot about what Nestor now is and conveyed Lynch and Greene’s ideas perfectly.
This is a hugely impressive debut. It has a really smooth flow to it and it looks great and as the book moves on from here it has earmarked itself out as one to watch. With sharp writing and crisp visuals, what more do you want?
