Just How Important Is ‘Story’? Looking At Lake Of Fire.

Firstly, I’ve just become aware of how much I have posted about books specifically put out by Image Comics. Although I definitely lean more towards reading/supporting independent publishers vs. The Big Two, I really don’t prefer Image over any of the others. It’s probably just as much about the *quantity* of content they put out, in addition to the quality. I’m sure they release a lot of duds too… I just don’t read those as much. (Or I do but then don’t write about them, because duh).
Anyway. Sorry to have to start with a qualifier. This one should be quick.
Lake Of Fire by Nathan Fairbairn and Matt Smith jumped out at me on the bookshelf because the premise sounded cool, it’s as simple as that. Now as those of you that sometimes “window shop” graphic novels know, that can go very wrong just as easily as it can find you a new favorite book or writer. Thankfully this time, it worked out. I wasn’t familiar with Fairbairn’s work before Lake Of Fire, and that’s apparently because he is mainly a colorist, and this is his first creator-owned work. If that’s true… well done, sir.
As you can tell from the back page above (I thought it pertinent to give you the description first), the book takes place in the French Pyrenees in the 1200's- during the Crusades. An alien spacecraft crashes to Earth, and stuff happens. Not many writers would have the marbles to take on a story set in these times (Brian Wood maybe), and Fairbairn nails it. The writing is somewhat Shakespearean at times, getting the setting and mood down very well. Makes it feel very authentic, which is super important for any period piece. But this book… like the outstanding Kieron Gillen says, is “the best action movie on paper of 2016.” Its a slow start. But when it gets going, it is absolutely riveting. I do not say that lightly.
For me though, the best part about Lake Of Fire is the *character work* and that’s what set it apart from its competition, for me. The more you learn about these characters, the more you care what happens to them. When they are threatened, you feel it. When they die, you give a fuck. You’re affected. You’re sad, or angry. I’ll be brief, but there is a moment towards the end where a group are about to enter a dangerous place, and a secondary character (not even a main character!) is hesitant, and goes to run. Someone is about to yell at him out of anger, but a more experienced knight hands him wine, and simply asks him about his son. The man drinks, and obliges. He goes on to describe his boy, who is possibly in danger, where they are headed. He goes on for a little bit about his son, about how he is more like his mother, but still a troublemaker, etc… but then stops talking, and looks down, lost in his own thoughts. He then looks back up and agrees to go on, more steadfast than he was a few minutes prior.
Folks, that is fucking dialog. That is character work. That one page felt more real to me than fifty pages of most other books on the shelf today. Later on when a completely different character gives his life to save another at the climax of the book, I was legitimately and honestly moved to tears.
TO TEARS. AND THIS IS A BOOK ABOUT FRIGGIN’ ALIENS FIGHTING CRUSADING KNIGHTS. ….sigh.
Anyway. I wanted to give a round of applause to this book because I thought it was very well done. I’m thoroughly excited to read whatever else Fairbairn comes up with next, and Matt Smith’s work on this was easily enjoyable and exceptional. And his biography is hilarious, in the closing pages. Sometimes that’s all it takes, is a really good idea, that’s written very well, by someone who is talented and who takes his job seriously.

|DV.NWMN|
@dirtynouveau (IG, TWT, SC)
