GVN Talking Comics Review: Mad Cave Studios: ‘The Mammoth’ Issue #1 By Paul Tobin And Arjuna Susini – “…an intriguing beginning”

Broke Tree Valley

Broke Tree Valley had a long history of strange events. Most of which were considered to be geological or seismic in origin. It was this reoccurring phenomenon that attracted a team of researchers to the area. This included Mason Bryke, team leader, Jess Waynelle, geological historian, Kokoro Eto, underground gasses specialist, and surveyor Olivia Boucq. Together, they were determined to explore the causes of these events. Each member examined the problem from their educated perspective, aided by a grant from the U.S.G.S. They had set up base camps at Sheer Lake and what was known locally as the old Avison house.

The research came to an abrupt end when Olivia was found dead at the destroyed home. Her team was in communication with her when it happened, and her death deeply affected them. After attending Olivia’s funeral, the team reminisced about their colleague and tried to understand what might have happened.

As they grappled with their loss, the local sheriff, who was investigating Olivia’s death, also sought their perspectives on what “may” have occurred. The sheriff introduced the possibility of local “supernatural” theories about the events. While the scientifically minded researchers initially dismissed the idea of “ghost stories,” subsequent events will make them reconsider their opinions.

Thoughts

Author Paul Tobin begins The Mammoth with a familiar premise: unexplained events in a rural area that initially appear to be natural phenomena. However, as the investigation progresses and leads to the loss of one of their own, the research takes on a more urgent and personal tone. The consideration of a supernatural element, while at first scoffed at by the scientific team, leads to a more frightening piece of the puzzle, laying the groundwork for an intriguing beginning and inviting the reader to return for more.

As with any opening story, the real trick is to get the reader to quickly invest themselves in what is going on. Tobin achieves this through Olivia. In flashbacks, we learn that Olivia had an impact on the whole team in various ways. Whether it was just a drunken conversation about Dwarves or sharing her fries with a colleague on a bad day. Olivia made a difference in all of their lives. Which is what makes her early demise so difficult on her friends and sets the reader on this story. In both cases, with the adept assistance of artist Arjuna Susini, colorist Pippa Bowland, and letterer Charles Pritchett, that mission is accomplished, and The Mammoth is just starting.

Mad Caves’s The Mammoth, Issue 1 by Paul Tobin, Arjuna Susini, Pippa Bowland and Charles Pritchett hits stands June 5th.