Black’s Myth – 2021
In July of 2021, Ahoy Comics introduced a new title by talented writer Eric Palicki and artist Wendell Cavalcanti. It was a little different than some of titles they had produced before but still maintained a bit of the sharp comic edge that Ahoy has always embraced. It was entitled Black’s Myth and they had me at werewolf private investigator. Throw in that Janie “Strummer” Mercardo was a half-werewolf bad ass, and I was all in.
When the final issue of the five-issue series came, I was really hoping that we might get a second helping. But I wasn’t sure. Of course, when you are uncertain if you will get a second bite of the apple, or someone’s neck, you have to plan accordingly. Eric and Wendell had hopes but, in the comics business, you never know. Fortunately, the fans and critics spoke and Ahoy as always listened. So, starting June 21st, Ahoy Comics brings us volume 2 of Eric and Wendell’s Black’s Myth saga with Black’s Myth: The Key to his Heart.
Black’s Myth: The Key to His Heart – 2023
For those familiar with volume 1, we last left Strummer and her half-Djinn business partner Ben Si’lat beginning a new phase in their detective agency. They had dealt with their client/nemesis Rainsford Black and were hoping to expand their business. This time not only embracing human customers but also those who like themselves, were a little bit more. In addition, Janie’s love life had taken a turn for the better with Carly living with her. Although if you asked Strummer, Carly hadn’t moved in. It was just temporary. Ben, who also lived in Strummer’s flat would beg to differ. But he thought it was a good thing. Janie had been happier, drank less and slept more. Plus, business had never been better. It was all good. At least until Carly told Strummer that she loved her. DOH!! Instant panic!
Claire Jenkins
Ben didn’t see the problem. Nothing but good things had happened since she and Carly had hooked up. Don’t let a little thing like declarations of love derail it. Who knows, in time Ben might have to move out. All in all, nothing to stress over. Besides, they had a case to solve. A runaway teenage girl named Claire Jenkins. Fortunately, Strummer had a lead after talking to the girl’s mother. She was pretty sure where she was. Claire’s mother had let Strummer see the girl’s diary. It was very revealing, and a bit disturbing. More importantly, it laid out Claire’s plans with a boy named Danny Turner.
Grandma
Lucky for Claire that Strummer showed up…with two of her friends. Danny was a manipulative scum bag who planned to put his and Claire’s business all over social media with the help of his friends. Thanks to Strummer and company, she put that plan to an end and Claire saw for herself that Danny was not who she thought he was. Regardless of his nice car and washboard abs. While Claire appreciated the help, she didn’t really want a lecture from Strummer, who she referred to as “Grandma.” I’m pretty sure that was due to the advice and not Strummer’s appearance. Either way she didn’t take offense.
Claire’s Diary
But what Strummer WAS concerned about were the other entries in Claire’s diary. As for Claire, she was afraid that Strummer had shown her mother the contents. But she assured Claire that only she had seen the diary. It was in the diary that Claire had talked about Danny and what sex might be like. In talking with Claire, it turns out that she is the only black girl in her school. Because of this, students made fun of her, making her feel like she didn’t fit in. She thought if she lost her virginity to Danny, she might fit in more. Seeing as she was sure she was the last of her friends in school who hadn’t had sex. Strummer assured her that it would not have helped her problem.
Plus, she should save that experience for someone she really likes. There was no hurry to grow up too quickly. (Hence the “Grandma” title). Besides, that car that Claire was so enamored with didn’t even belong to Danny. It was owned by his folks as was his cell phone. That being said, it was the mentions of doing other things in Claire’s diary that really caught Strummer’s attention. Things about Danny that were quite unsavory and included drawings depicting the activities.
The Unicorn
As they walked, Strummer told Claire she wanted to show her something. They eventually came to a clearing and there stood Ben with a Unicorn. It was white, huge and majestic. At first, Claire questioned if it was real. But Strummer assured her it was, although she couldn’t see it. It turns out that only virgins can see Unicorns. When Strummer looks in that direction, all she sees is Ben appearing to pet something that isn’t there. After telling Claire that she couldn’t keep the Unicorn, she once again reiterated about why she should not rush growing up. Grandma Strummer appearing once again.
Why Strummer Was There
As for Claire, she didn’t see the problem of getting a head start on doing “adult” things. In four months, she would have graduated high school and started college. But Strummer decided to steer the conversation back to why she was there. She told Claire that her mother hired her because she was worried about her. And even more about Danny. It was Strummer’s expertise in certain types of cases that brought Claire to her attention. With that, Claire realized that Strummer knew what she was. She could see it.
An Internship
Strummer told her she has seen a lot in her career. But since Claire has four months before she starts college, she offers her an opportunity to become her intern during that time. There is a whole secret world hidden in Los Angeles and Claire is a part of it. Whether she wants to be or not. It might do her some good to learn about it before she goes off to college and does “adult stuff.” Claire considers for just a moment and accepts.
After Strummer and Ben drop Claire off home, Ben asks Strummer what THAT was all about? She figured they already had a half-werewolf, and a half-Djinn. A half-demon would round out their group nicely. Ben considered but he told her that if they were indeed partners in the business, he would have appreciated to be conferred with before an internship was offered. Strummer agreed but she admitted it was a spur of the moment decision. From that point going forward, they would discuss such things.
Ben and Unicorns
With that out of the way, Ben then asked what the whole Unicorn thing was for? She said that Unicorns sense purity and innocence. Since Claire could see it, and the Unicorn wasn’t repulsed by her, there was still a chance for Claire. Despite her other half. But what would have happened had Claire NOT seen it. What might Strummer have done then? Since she DID see it, that was a bridge they didn’t have to cross. But Strummer was more interested in why Ben COULD see the Unicorn. She knew she couldn’t but what did it say for Ben that he could? Ben scoffed at what she was suggesting. Him? A virgin?? With his good looks and accent? Washboard Abs? Absolutely! Getting a “shag” as he called it was not an issue. He could see the Unicorn due to his Half-Djinn magic…if she MUST know.
A Package
Strummer didn’t need to know. But it amused her to pull his chain on occasion. Upon returning home, they found a package on the doorstep. Strummer didn’t remember ordering anything. Ben picked it up, looked at it cursorily and said it was something he ordered and forgot about. Upon entering, Carly had fixed a HUGE breakfast. She had gotten up after Strummer left and had been cooking ever since. So, food wouldn’t be a problem…for a while it seemed. Strummer went to Carly and kissed her, saying that she loved her. Carly smiled and told her that she knew that. Meanwhile, Ben looked at the package again. It WAS addressed to Strummer…from R. Black. Well, that separation didn’t last long.
Thoughts
It was nice to know that things seemed to be working well for Strummer and Ben. Deciding to embrace her “other” self, meant that their clientele pool had increased. Her relationship with Carly kept her grounded and more focused on the important things. Plus, with Rainsford Black out of the picture, it made for a less stress inducing element to deal with. So, they thought.
But what this shift really did was open the door for writer Eric Palicki to embrace more of the supernatural elements in Strummer’s world. This allows him to really stretch Janie’s narrative while still embracing the relationship between her, Ben, Carly and now possibly Claire along with her otherworld associates. The possibilities are endless, and I look forward to seeing how Palicki chooses to expand this 2nd chapter of the story. If they can navigate through the possible return of the mysterious Rainsford Black, that is.
Just as exciting, it allows for expanding the opportunities of artist Wendell Cavalcanti to tackle even more new creatures in his expressive and striking black and white style. Judging from Volume 1 and this first entry in Volume 2, Cavalcanti is more than up for that challenge and the reader and the story will be the better for it. Throw in the always excellent cover work of Liana Kangas, and I look for another winning run for Black’s Myth.
Ahoy Comics Black’s Myth: The Key to his Heart, Issue 1 by Eric Palicki, Wendell Cavalcanti, Rob Steen, and Cover Artist Liana Kangas comes out June 21st where great comics are sold. In addition, look for our talk with writer Eric Palicki here.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
