Art: Amrit Birdi
Colours: Mike Summers
Letters: Mindy Lopkin
Published by: Ellipsium Entertainment
One of the highlights of the recent London Super Comic Convention was the arrival of the second issue to Adam Cheal’s delightful Borough of Churches. It’s been an anxious wait to see if the Ellipsium team can maintain the momentum garnered by #1. The happy news is in: Indeed they can!
I’ve followed Adam’s career with interest, and his Borough of Churches is something else. Not that the back catalogue isn’t worth a look – it is, and very good reading it is too. With Borough though, there is something different going on. You have to really look at the writing on this book, while Adam is telling an interesting, exciting tale, he is evolving his style and that is commendable in terms of storytelling. The first issue was a very effective introduction to the world of Borough of Churches and the characters. This second issue really builds on that and expands the worldview.
What’s not to like about the premise? You have a complex and intriguing lead, you have vampires (not twinkly ass emo types), and you have a believable vibe pulsing through the narrative. If you add the awesome art of Amrit Birdi into the equation, and this guy really nails the sexy here, you have excellent visuals to fully compliment the story. The dynamic action in this issue is expertly handled, Amrit really gives you that sense of movement to his panels. Similarly, with the structural layout of the panels, you get the sense that he is really delivering that quality that separates a really good looking book from the rest. Very luscious art, from the very first panel to the last.
With how the story is evolving, with the mix of excitement, drama, action, and the intrigue of the back story, Ellipsium’s flagship title is setting the bar high in terms of quality and interest. As long as the writing remains as strong, as long as the pencils, inks, colors, letters all maintain this standard, the future looks bright for Borough of Churches and, indeed, Ellipsium Entertainment. Now we just need to see what the team will do in issue 3… Watch this space!!
