ROZ & THE BIG MAN #1, from Daniel Sauvé-Rogan on December 3rd, 2021, makes all of your Fortean dreams come true as two tales – one of a mysterious Wild Man, the other of a mysterious crash in New Mexico – collide.
The Details
- Written by: Daniel Sauvé-Rogan
- Art by: J.M. Bupp
- Colors by: Daniel Rosa Durán, Maja Opacic
- Letters by: Daniel Sauvé-Rogan
- Cover art by: J.M. Bupp
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: December 3, 2021
Was It Good?
ROZ & THE BIG MAN #1 is a fascinating take on strange myths and conspiracy theories as a research writer looks for answers for one mystery but may find himself confronted with two. This indie graphic novel (GN) captures the spirit of legends and far-out conspiracies while adding in a dash of pathos surrounding how legends take on a life of their own, both in the past and the (near) present.
Sauvé-Rogan’s take on the weird and unusual shines by showing how a legend morphs and develops over the course of years because people hear and see what they want to see or what they’ve been told to see. To be clear, there’s no bait-and-switch going on here. There truly are “unusual beings” in this GN, but the reality of their existence is a far cry from what the people believe them to be. Sauvé-Rogan shows the legends warp and morph through a progression of communication between generations or press releases, and the progression says something about us as a species in how we confuse the line between literal observation and figurative storytelling.
The minor down point of the GN is the time it takes two seemingly disparate threads to come together. The stories involving Roz and Big Man feel completely disconnected, and honestly, they don’t technically come together, but you see a hint or suggestion of how they pair up on the last page. On that count, you could make the case that this GN is 70+ pages of setup, but in its defense, it’s an excellent setup.
Bupp’s designs are excellent. There’s a mild hint of cartoon strip quality to the character designs that’s unexpected from some of the characters, but once you settle into the story, the designs fit. The art is made better by Durán and Opacic’s outstanding coloring. The coloring is nuanced and pristine, so the vibrancy of the story is brilliant.
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 castle in the far North, long ago, as a massive blizzard approaches. A large, hairy being who may be a captive of the castle residents uses the approaching storm as an opportunity to escape and begin a new life in the woods far to the South.
In 1950s America, Professor Escondido tracks down one Captain Rupert to interview him about a top-secret operation known as Project Mogul. We learn the project was meant to investigate sightings of UFOs, and Captain Rupert was on the bleeding edge of investigation as well as disinformation.
As time and generations pass for Big Man, native peoples spot him on occasion. With the passing of each generation among the tribes, Big Man’s powers and motives are warped by the exaggeration of each storyteller. Soon, an entire mythology builds up around Big Man that has no basis in reality.
Elsewhere, Prof. Escondido learns the truth about Capt. Rupert’s investigations, or at least the truth the American people were told. We conclude the issue with an unexpected phone call, a takeoff, and a rough landing.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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ROZ & THE BIG MAN #1 is an unusually deep and surprising GN that melds tells two stories of famous legends and slowly brings them together for an unpredictable future. The character designs are unique, and the coloring is exquisite. If you’re looking for something a little weird, this is a strong recommendation.
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