Well.. hello again Constant Reader. Today I've got a nice change of pace for you: a review. I know, shocking. Bear with me, though, because the subject is a bit of a wild ride. From wolfmen, to G-men, to a giant hiding in the bushes with a fistful of licorice whips. The Omens by our friends over at Electromagnetic Press is packed full of twists and turns from the very start. I'll start where I should: at the beginning.
Set a couple of decades in the past, our story opens with a glimpse at the deeper plot before flashing forward to introduce our reluctant protagonist. Maggie Goodwin is like any other teenager, just trying to make it through school in one piece. Minus a case of horrible migraines, and one 'imaginary' boyfriend, she's a pretty normal teen. Until she's not.
After a few strange incidents at school and home, Maggie finds herself in a state of questionable sanity and she is admitted to a mental health facility for treatment. Enter the wolfmen and the giant with a head made of metal and a fistful of licorice whips. Maggie is rudely awoken into a world that gets weirder by the minute.
One of my favorite scenes takes place at this part, which is the introduction of the mysterious Men in Black. They haven't really been named as of issue three, but they are just a fantastic bunch of weird. Their speech patterns and word choice make them seem like they are the three Fates of ancient Greek mythos,. The MIB are the first to outright assert that Maggie isn't crazy, aside from her imaginary friend, and they go so far as to provoke her into inadvertently using her psychic gifts. Things only get stranger from there.
As a fan of conspiracy theories used as a plot device, The Omens certainly delivers. The characters are believable, with faults and issues that anyone could find relatable. They also have the plucky underdog sort of vibe throughout the cast. I suppose it's hard not to be the underdog when the entire world seems to be out to get you.
I find myself questioning who the bad guys are time and time again. I'll be certain that the bad guy is clearly the MIB, then I'll turn a page and be confronted with a different angle. At the end of the third issue, my entire mindset was flipped on its head, though I still personally think the MIB is in the baddie camp. I guess I just can't recommend trusting weirdos in suits.
Probably one of the best aspects of The Omens is the world that it's set in. It feels alive, with people always moving in the background of the scene. A hint about the Patrons was dropped in the third issue, and I'm curious if this is something that extends beyond The Omens itself and places it in a shared universe. Either way, self-contained or not, the series keeps you intrigued by what might be going on elsewhere. Who's moving the pieces? Who writes the checks? When did all of this really this really start? More importantly, when did it really hit the fan and why?
I expect more great things from the series in the future. It seems set to hand out even more curve balls and head-scratchers before it hits the end of the run. I've been gripping my seat this far. I can't wait to see the rest of what Larry Morgan and Shane Moore have in store for us. You can find The Omens and more of EMP's works at their site https://electromagneticpress.com/.
-Ben
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