MEDIC GRIZZ #1, from Ghost V Comics on FCBD 2023, follows Dr. Jade Hooten as she scrambles to find a vaccine for the deadly Ghost V virus. Can she succeed before the virus claims its next victim?
The Details
- Written by: Dar’Ron Harmon
- Art by: Paul M. Walcott
- Letters by: Paul M. Walcott
- Cover art by: Paul M. Walcott
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: Free
- Release date: FCBD 2023
Is It Good?
MEDIC GRIZZ #1 is an FCBD pickup from Ghost V Comics and fledgling comic creators Dar’Ron Harmon and Paul M. Walcott. The first issue is short (11 pages), it has the seed of potential, and it’s rough in a few spots (more on that in a minute), but it’s exactly the kind of comic this site was created for. Why? Because a team of creators got together and made a comic with guts, determination, and a genuine desire to tell a story. More people should follow their example.
Dar’Ron Harmon’s script centers on a viral pathologist, Dr. Jade Hooten, working to find a vaccine for a virus ravaging the planet. After several failed attempts at a solution, Hooten’s quest turns personal when her brother falls ill.
Admittedly, the premise is not the most original. We’ve received dozens of submissions, both indie and mainstream, with pandemic-themed stories. That said, this comic works better than most because it brings the pandemic concept down to a smaller scale to focus on the personal fallout of the virus. The story feels focused and intimate, which allows the reader to invest in the emotional beats easily. And based on the cover for the forthcoming second issue, the story looks to veer into heavier sci-fi territory, so surprises lie ahead.
As noted above, there are a few rough spots, particularly in the narration. The grammar, phrasing, sentence structure, and readability need at least a few passes with an editor. You get the gist of what’s said, but the language is clunky.
How’s the art? Honestly, surprisingly great for a small indie offering. Walcott’s figure work shows clear Manga influences, particularly in the faces, and the panel layouts are as good as anything you’d find from the Big 2. As a bonus, there’s a panel on the third page where Walcott uses a layered blur technique to create depth, and it looks fantastic. This issue has some really impressive, clean art.
Now, for the pep talk. If you’re an aspiring creator, this comic is proof positive that you don’t need big publishers with big contracts to get your comic made. If you have a story idea but can’t get a publisher to look at it, get off your butt and make it yourself. They did it, so you can do it.
Go make comics!
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a preface page (see below) explaining the beginning and eventual devastation to Earth from a virus dubbed Ghost V. Despite the best efforts from the medical community, a cure has yet to be found. Dr. Jade Hooten devotes every waking moment to searching for a vaccine.
One day, Hooten receives word of a new patient recently admitted to the medical research facility – her brother Onyx. We conclude the issue with a downward spiral, a desperate gamble, and consequences.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
MEDIC GRIZZ #1 is a homegrown comic about a deadly pandemic with a sci-fi twist. The comic is short, the narration is rough, and the concept’s beginnings are far from original, but the story has oodles of sincerity, and the sci-fi twist has intriguing potential.
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