Review -- PROJECT ELOHIM

Project ElOhIm
Art by Eliseu Gouveia
Written by Rebecca Hicks
Strange Matter
When it comes to independent comics, most are never destined to make any money. Sadly, that includes the good ones such as Project ElOhIm.
“This is the harsh truth part of the program, kiddies, the only reason Project Elohim has made it past five issues is because I'm paying for the series to continue,” said book creator and writer Rebecca Hicks. “I love writing it, and I know a lot of people that love reading it. But there aren't enough people that love reading it to offset the cost of art, printing, promotion, etc. It's a labor of love, seriously. I would like it to pay for itself one day, but don't know if it ever will.”
Well, after reading the opening five issues of the series, I can appreciate why Hicks as the creator wants to keep the story going. To begin with she has a rather interesting cast of characters going. While not having one character which really takes the lead to be the focus of the reader's interest, the overall cast is interesting enough to keep you involved.
The book in general terms is a superhero-style tale, that is to say characters have superpowers, but here they don't run around in tights and a cape. Instead there is a covert-ops approach, which realistically is more likely. If someone suddenly manifested powers in the real world they'd either end up on some operating table as government looked to see what made them tick, or they would be pushed into some secret service or another to do government's bidding.
While that may sound rather ominous, Hicks hasn't gone down the darkest road. In fact, she manages to keep the story rather humourous, without having to fall into too many clichéd one-liners.
The end result is a story, that over five issues develops nicely. There are a few mysteries seeded along the way, which help build interest. Everything is not as it seems on the surface, but then it rarely is in a superhero comic.
That edge of intrigue makes you want the next installment.
The idea for the story actually grew out of role playing sessions, something many comic readers will appreciate, since many are RPGers as well.
“I worked my dorm's night shift during my years at the University of Kentucky,” said Hicks. “Not a job that required a lot of my attention (occasionally open door, check I.D.), which meant it was a sweet opportunity to read comic books and get in some role-playing. My friend Randy Yarger ran a Marvel Super Heroes campaign on some of the nights I worked. Those games resulted in his creating his own little comic book world, which later evolved into the Strange Matter Comics universe.
“So the inspiration for my storyline comes from the larger Strange Matter Comics storyline, which was created by Randy. And that is very inspired by traditional superhero stories, but also Arthurian folklore and ancient mythology. I love me some superheroes and folklore and mythology, so I truly dig being able to write stories that are inspired by all three.”
Beyond the university gaming sessions, Hicks said it is rather difficult to pinpoint her influences as a writer.
“This one's tough, because there are so many writers, fiction and non-fiction, that inspire me,” she said. “I'm really influenced by writers that develop great characters, and give each of those characters a unique voice. So Greg Rucka, Jim Butcher, Mary Doria Russell, Joss Whedon, to name a few. I'm also influenced by writers that have a dark and whimsical view, like Sara Vowell and Neil Gaiman. And Carroll and Shakespeare, now that I think about it. Really. I do kick it old school.”
So the characters, or at least some of them in Project ElOhIm have been around awhile.
“The characters, specifically Caitlain, Brian, Alex and Lona, they've been with me since those role-playing sessions,” said Hicks. “They've evolved a bit, but, at their core, they're the same characters I created in the early 1990's. The story that they're involved in has changed dramatically over the years. The Project as a government entity didn't exist until I really started sitting down to write the book, for example.”
As for getting the book from idea to print, Hicks said current technology really allowed that to happen.
“As for getting the book into print, shout-out to print-on-demand services like Ka-Blam! Printing technology has come such a long way in the past five years,” she said. “I paid to get my book printed, it got printed. It was that easy. It's all the other stuff, writing, promotion, that's hard. Oh, and working a 'real' job to be able to pay for the printing. That's hard too.”
As for the art of the book, Eliseu Gouveia brings a smooth hand to the black and white art. There is excellent use of shading here as well. The art doesn't necessarily jump of the page to take centre stage, but the clean renderings are a nice compliment to the pacing of Hicks' writing.
Hicks said the artist came to her, again through the use of modern technology which opens many doors to comic creators.
“When I told Randy that I was ready to contribute my book to the Strange Matter Comics line, he suggested I find an artist through Digital Webbing,” she said. I requested an artist that could tell a story through facial expression, since I write for comics as if they're a TV show or movie slowed down I see my characters as actors, and write accordingly.
“What made me select Zeus as my artist were the sample pages he sent me. He could have chosen any four pages of the first issue script to draw. He could have gone with a big action scene, like the apartment fire, for example. But he drew Caitlain and Brian having a conversation. That choice showed me that he was serious about character, and not just in it for the spandex and fight scenes.
“So there was no doubt in my mind that he was the best choice for Project Elohim. The final look of the book goes beyond my expectations, and that's thanks to Zeu. It's a blast collaborating with him. If I ever go to Portugal, I'm hunting him down and hugging him. Real tight squeezy hug. We're talking spine-crushing.”
While not a money maker for Hicks yet, she is persevering with a solid storyline to pursue into the future. That's good news for readers.
“As for what's next, I'm finishing up the second story arc, which delves into the larger story behind the events that Caitlain has found herself embroiled in,” she said. “Then I'm putting it all into a graphic novel, since those have a better chance of being a financial win.
“Then I need to spend a little more time on promotion. Enough people have told me that it's a good read to warrant me spending some time getting more people to read it! And then we'll see where that takes me. I've got more story to tell, that's for sure.”
Comic fans should definitely give this book a look. Hicks tells a good story, in a solid fashion, and that's enough to create a satisfying read.
Check it out at project-elohim.com
-- CALVIN DANIELS
-- Appeared on Yorkton This Week WebXtra