The Fist #1 Review - A Gritty, Grief-Soaked Supernatural Thriller

How about a gritty and grimy psychological, supernatural thriller story of a potential psychopath with superpowers, with the best intentions and a haunted past, in high-class ink line art that gets as visually disturbed as its narrative in an incredibly interesting way? Focus in on The Fist by Peter McLeod and RH Stewart for a special experience.

Peter McLeod is an Australian writer for About Time Comics and a freelance screenwriter, editor, director and producer. Peter's comic book credentials include Godsend, In-Flight Service and Dreamer.

RH Stewart is an eclectic artist from West Yorkshire. His previous work includes "First Contact With Pod X" for Afterlight Comics, Aleister Crowley: Wandering the Waste. With clients including Titan Publishing, Printed In Blood, Blue Fox Comics, Markosia and Atlantis Bookshop, London, to name but a few. He's also produced an exhaustive but fantastic feast of custom Tarot Cards and card game decks.

Bram Meeham is a graphic designer living in New Mexico. When not doing important work, teaching and provisioning on the board of non-profit 7000 BC, supporting comics education and comics in creators. His lettering work can be seen in Capital City, Dandelion, Tiberius, Witches Trine, Quinn-Finty, Jessie the Vegan Werewolf, BA-Gwark, Volume and Sweet Downfall, to name just a few. Introduction implemented, let's do a review.

So, let's start with the art. The art of The Fist is very special, utilising fine ink lines and multi-media brilliance with washed-out effects. This art speaks to the disturbed nature of its narrative in an utterly visceral way. The mixed media serve as active design elements. While the colour bleed, thanks to the washed entities, acts as a tangible emotional cornerstone that is incredibly impactful. This art feels raw in animalistic expression that embodies and elevates the subject matter in a beautifully unique way. The colours on offer often present abstract yet illuminating presentations that highlight the expression of art on every page and every panel.

RH Stewarts' art entices you into this comic with an obsessive quality. Nothing else matters but the story and the experience that is issue one of The Fist. Another beautiful example of comic book art overspilling in beautiful, visceral emotion.

Bram Meehan's lettering is noteworthy as well for its professional, steadfast delivery. Managing to navigate such lofty art and to utilise the work on offer to still give a readable narrative. Art appreciated its story time.

Peter McLeod brings a gritty and dark, violent thriller to life with The Fist. The story of Simon Carpenter, a troubled by grief man on a violent mission of redemption against supernatural forces. It captures more esoteric elements to explore the damaged psyche of the vigilante mindset in a palpable way. Peter allows the art to really speak to this at every opportunity. All while piecemealing the protagonist's narrative to add definition and punctuation to this expression.

This exploration of the disturbed feels disturbing in a very real and yet enjoyable way. Like witnessing an over passenger limit clown car being eviscerated by a HGV. It's horrifying but darkly entertaining.

The unfolding mystery on offer and supernatural aspects in this one is very interesting. It sets itself up as a comic parcelled with an exceptional experience and exploration of the darkness of grief and vigilante justice. Powerful stuff.

For fans of supernatural thrillers, violence, the human psyche, vigilante mindset, a troubled mind besotted with grief and pushed to violent doings with biblical connotations soaked with art as visceral as its storytelling, demons, speculative roommates, stories with impact and art that truly makes you feel, saturate yourself in The Fist.

To get your copy now, head here. Or if you love a good Kickstarter campaign, head here to sign up for the pre-launch of issues one and two. Here, you can get your hands on exclusive rewards and support the team more directly.

Review: 4.9/5 It might not be for everyone, but those who are intrigued will love it.