ON KICKSTARTER

Meet Manny. He’s a lowly Tibetan-American dishwasher. People whisper about him behind his back because he’s so quiet. He’s behind on his rent. He doesn’t have many friends. He clashes with his boss. His interests include music, jogging, and using the toilet. Above all, he just wants to avoid involvement in things.

But that’s about to change for him, whether he likes it or not. He might not know it but he’s about to enter the realm that is the source of all things magical – the Void. And he’ll never be the same.

Welcome to the Void #1 (written by Chuck Pineau with art by Shaun Barbour, colors by Kitty Pierce, and letters by Mike Waggoner) is almost entirely spent building Manny as a character. We really get to know Manny, his likes, his dislikes, and his problems. By the end of the 15 pages, we’re on his side.

To be clear, this isn’t a self-contained story. It’s a beginning. And in that vein, it definitely leaves you wanting more. Pineau’s writing is a slow burn, making you appreciate Manny’s struggles before seeing what he will become. Barbour’s lines are equally adept at portraying the fantastic and the mundane. Pierce’s colors breathe life into every scene. And Waggoner’s letters are on point as always.

If you like stories that are equally metaphysical and mundane, magical but relatable, and quiet but shocking, check out Welcome to the Void #1, on Kickstarter through August 1st, 2018.