Something Spooky: History Meets Supernatural With ‘These Savage Shores’
by Scott Redmond
Halloween spooks take on a variety of forms. From ghosts, goblins, and ghouls to masked slashers, alien creatures, and monsters. One of the chief monsters that never seems to go out of storytelling style would be the most prolific of blood sucking entities.
Yes, of course, this refers to vampires. Generally, immortal often ancient undead evil that lives in decadence through the decades and centuries. Spending their days in their castles or palaces, taking to the nights to stalk their varied choices of prey.
What if though, there was something more powerful and ancient that clapped back at these evil creatures? That very question is part of what makes up the really intriguing These Savage Shores from Ram V, Sumit Kumar, Vittorio Astone, and Aditya Bidikar.
Like many stories bearing Ram V’s name, this one mixes realistic history and fantastical realms centered on India. This story, taking place in the late 1700s, focuses on the spread of the East India Company and the seeds of British colonization. The story pits an ancient Indian demigod, moonlighting as a royal adviser, against both the evils encroaching upon the people and the land.
A deep poetry is clear within the narrative as the story weaves it’s self flawlessly. Gripping from start to finish, it goes beyond the overall selling points of the book to be so much more- Which is really a given at this point when delving into any of the writer’s work. There is nothing that he does that is just simple in theme, concept, and execution. He presents audiences with a period of time, albeit slightly altered, they assuredly are not familiar with.
Showcasing a moment of history, enriching knowledge, while still delighting and terrifying in fictional story fashion. All sprinkled with Indian folklore and mythology, another common ingredient within his assembled works.
A story of tragic love, of history, and of monsters, mortal and immortal.
No matter what is asked of them, Kumar and Astone’s work answers the call. Emotions are clear and so richly perceived, soaking into every feature of the character. Quiet enriching moments and bolder bigger moments exist on the same qualitative spectrum, wowing with their boldness and presence. All the environments feel dense and life like, with rougher and tangible textures and qualities.
All of the colors are soft, dense, and vivid. Filters of varying intensities giving spaces their own uniqueness as we move further along. Back grounds and set pieces are rendered with very familiar more natural tonal ranges, allowing many of the bolder elements to take on more vibrancy or darkness depending on the scenes needs. A general softness permeates the work as the palette shifts and grows throughout the entire tale.
It all gives the world a denser, weightier, and more emotive presence at all times.
How the various characters’ voice are presented gives them uniqueness as their personalities and emotions flow through the pages. Bidikar is a masterful letterer, giving space and power to every word on the page, letting them flow naturally while staking their claim upon the page in organized ways. Everything has such a visually distinct presence and power upon the page, speaking to why writer and letterer have worked together so many times.
Grab a copy, a handful of leftover candy, your softest blanket, and dim the lights. Tonight is a night for These Savage Shores.
