Review: The Panharmonion Chronicles Ghosts of Sound #1

How about the exciting second chapter of a deeply thought-out presentation of powerful passionate storytelling in art from the inkmaster of reflected light? Then become entangled once more with The Panharmonion Chronicles Ghosts Of Sound by Henry Chebaane and Stephen Baskerville.

Ghosts Of Sound is the follow-up to 2023's Times Of London from The Panharmonion Chronicles, and if you'd like to know how much we enjoyed it, you can read the review here. Henry Chebaane is a multi-media disciplined talent and experienced storyteller/ world builder known across the globe for his branding and design work. He is also an artist, filmmaker and music producer (LX8). He is also the author of the new series Kingdom United. Stephen Baskerville is the seasoned professional comic artist most revered for his work on Transformers, Spider Man, Judge Dredd, 2000 AD, GI Joe and The Beano. He also has over 10 years of experience as a video game concept artist with working credits on Reservoir Dogs and Doctor Who. Talented gentlemen re-introduced it's time for a review.

So, let's start with the art. Stephen Baskerville returns to form with his full of old school charm bronze age edged comic book art. It's a classic style that fans know and love, with a particularly striking skill for light reflection and contrast. What is showcased in this volume is a darker side to his art with a fair amount of graphic violence on offer which shows that same care and attention to detail to strike impacting visuals to these violent moments.

As before, the character studies are excellent in execution. The visceral, violent moments stand out as highlights to this art alongside those finely crafted characters. Stephen handles pencils, inks, colours and lettering here again, delivering all with the skill you'd expect from the seasoned professional. Cleverly crafted, extremely enjoyable art.

Back to the story, then as we return to the pond jumping, time-hopping, matter transporting, Quantum entanglement exploring, the fabric of reality, and nature of identity storytelling of Henry Chebaane. We return to the, now returned in time, exploits of musician turned hero with mysterious power Alex Campbell. Henry does a great job dropping us back into the thick of things, building the rich lore and alternative history of The Panharmonion Chronicles.

After establishing herself as a thorn in the side of the plans of The Republic of Varangia, Alex will find herself becoming a veritable menace to all they envision while we also learn just how dastardly President Godwin Deblanc and the mystical order of the Immaculate Oblati can be as we see their formulated plan to divide and conquer.

Ghosts Of Sound offers a really diverse multicultural hotpot of interesting characters showing a link to a broad spectrum of cultures. It makes for compelling reading and helps add to the great tapestry of this story. The ideas offered here are fascinating and show a deep understanding and love for the universe that is The Panharmonion Chronicles, showcasing culture, identity and sci-fi concepts. It's splendidly sophisticated storytelling mixed with exciting action antics.

For fans of sci-fi, horror, alternative history, rhetoric Sunday mass, philosophical musings, the nature of identity, light bending Tartan, the role of the Phi Ratio in a theory that reality emerges from mathematical relationships, a bloody good knife, steampunk augmentation, matter transmutation and De Rerum Natura quotes in Bronze Age gilded digitally formulated art then you need The Panharmonion Chronicles Ghosts Of Sound.

To get your copy you need the Panharmonion website https://www.panharmonion.com to find stockists. You can also order directly here https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/theFICTIONALIST. The Panharmonion website is a great resource for all things Henry, and if you want more Stephen Baskerville, check out his Facebook or website.

Review holding on 5/5