From Aspen Comics, David Wohl, Alex Konat, Beth Sotelo, Josh Reed.
This is most definitely an end of the current Fathom story line and if you’ve read the news for this summer’s Elite event you know that its only the calm before the storm for Aspen and her world.
I think one of the most amazing things David Wohl has done with Aspen Matthews, and the Fathom title, is to make the reader forget just how powerful Aspen is and can be. Superman is always Superman and we are all constantly aware of his incredible strength. However, Aspen can appear to be vulnerable, weak, or in over her head. Then when something happens like this issue’s battle with the changed Judith, every twist and turn has great weight and interest. I can be bored with the legendary characters but here’s Fathom celebrating her 15th year and still provides unpredictable stories.
While this issue is half ultimate battle and half calm before the storm, it successfully satisfies both masters. As a long time reader I’m happy with the outcome of the current arc and thrilled I never saw any of it coming. There’s nothing worse than spending time and money on stories with endings that can be seen from the cover. Not only was this finale original but the set up for what’s coming next has me intrigued and clueless.
I might anger some of my friends but damn its tough to find a favorite artist at Aspen Comics. Alex Konat can do no wrong. In or out of the water he shows the beauty of the world’s oceans like Cousteau with a pencil. Beth did some amazing color work in this issue. No other companies uses the shades that Aspen does. I’ve never seen water look better on paper. Josh used some excellent fonts and gave weight to emotional moments. Plus I love seeing the different ways to show speech versus internal thoughts. Studying the nuances each artist makes in an Aspen Comic has become one of my favorite pastimes.
Another incredible book from Aspen Comics during one of the biggest comic book weeks.
