BOSTON METAPHYSICAL SOCIETY: GHOSTS AND DEMONS, available from Source Point Press on October 27th, 2021, follows Caitlin O’Sullivan as she heeds a dream about an old ghost and friend who’s under attack by a demon.
The Details
- Written By: Madeleine Holly-Rosing
- Art By: Gwynn Tavares
- Colors By: Gwynn Tavares
- Letters By: Troy Peteri
- Cover Art By: Gwynn Tavares
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Release Date: October 27, 2021
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Was It Good?
In the opening pages of BOSTON METAPHYSICAL SOCIETY: GHOSTS AND DEMONS, Madeleine Holly-Rosing describes this over-sized issue as a standalone story that bookends the events from the original six-issue mini-series. Describing this comic as a bookend may be the most accurate way to put it, feeling like it’s connected to the core story while at times feeling like a prologue.
There are strong character moments between Caitlin and Samuel. Granville gets a potential partner to help him with his experiments in Alma. And the rift between Caitlin and her mother is widened when the conflict arrives at Caitlin’s old home. In terms of dialog and character beats, there’s a lot to like in this issue that broadens and deepens all the characters in an appreciable way while setting up the potential for future conflicts.
That said, the plot feels oddly rushed. The story has a complete beginning, middle, and end, but the story moves so quickly from one scene to the next, you don’t quite feel like any one scene is fully fleshed out or complete. The size of this comic takes up two standard issues, and you get the impression it needed a third to get it all in and let the scenes play out organically.
I like the art in this issue. Tavares has been with this title for some time, and you can appreciate the consistency of the character designs by how they emote and move. Tavares’ consistency establishes a comfortable familiarity with the characters that makes them feel like old friends coming back for a visit. As a bonus, Tavares came up with a horrific design for the demon that looks plausible in Holly-Rosing’s world.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Caitlin O’Sullivan having a dream/nightmare about her ghost friend, Duncan, being chased through the woods. He has a runaway slave with him and the pursuer is a deadly-looking demon. Alma wakes Caitlin from her dream as the two travel by train back to Boston.
When they arrive in Boston, they seek out Samuel and Granville to let them know Caitlin believes Duncan is in trouble and somehow calling to her through her dreams. Caitlin then goes to her mother’s house to find Duncan and offer whatever aid he needs.
Meanwhile, the demon from Caitlin’s dreams makes its way through the shadows and sewers of Boston. It seems like it’s in pain and headed for the same meeting with Duncan. When Caitlin enters her mother’s home, Duncan materializes to explain he was not the one who called to Caitlin in her dreams. Caitlin’s mother arrives, furious at the intrusion, but before Caitlin leaves, the demon arrives to make a special request.
We conclude the issue with a flashback to the circumstances of Duncan’s death, an act of sacrifice for Duncan, and Caitlin’s mother confirming she’s a forced that will eventually need to be reckoned with.
Final Thoughts
BOSTON METAPHYSICAL SOCIETY: GHOSTS AND DEMONS tells a complete story that fleshes out all the characters from the original series and sets the stage for future conflict. While the story is complete and the art is excellent, the story feels like it needed an extra 20 pages to not feel as rushed as it does here.
Score: 7.5/10
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