REVIEW: ORC STAIN VOL 1

 Stats:Publisher: Image ComicsGenre: FantasyRating: Adult  So . I was up until one AM yesterday reading Orc Stain. Celebrating my completion of online C EU's i couldn't wait to start my reading vacation. The combination of the late hour and James Stokoe's mesmerizing art really drew me into this story. This is a  vibrant adult, exploration of a Fantasy staple: Orcs!. I feel a lot of this story is experiential so I'm going to slow my roll on the gushing and give you the basic facts on the series so you can know if this type of series is for you.  In the opening pages of Orc Stain we are introduced to the OrkTzar. He is a fearsome warrior uniting ORC's and conquering lands, and peoples once thought unimaginable to Orc kind. Of course he seeks more, a great treasure . Seeking guidance from a seer he is put on a quest to find a one-eyed Orc. Miles away in the North we meet One Eye and his partner PointyFace two Orcs hunting for treasure to pay required tribute to Norman a prominent member of the Skrubs. This job and it's consequences put One eye on the beginning of his Journey. Stokoe has created a lush Fantasy world in this book. It is visually stunning, with small nuances that can engage your attention on every page. The Orc culture is fascinating and Dark. In the North where One Eye's story begins a basic feudal structure seems to exist. Tribute is due and the society seems mainly focused with Love Nymphs and the acquiring of  "Gronches". The Gronches. They are the center of Orc society from the gronches are formed chit's which is the monetary currency of the Orc world. Maybe it was the late hour, maybe it was being caught up in Stokoe's art but it took me a while to figure out what exactly the chits were made of, It becomes verrry clear in the appendix at the end of this volume. Cringe worthy clear.  This series has every thing I love about Indie Comics and the Fantasy genre. Stokoe has such a strong grasp of the world he's created that the reader quickly sync in and just holds on for the ride. I'm intrigued by every facet of his world especially the creatures! the variety and detail of the different life forms is astounding, I especially like the female Swamp Ramba. Though I'm loathe to compare creators I cant help but compare James to King City creator Brandon Graham. they both have unique perspectives of life and comics. it didn't surprise me at all to learn the two were friends. I encourage all fans of Fantasy and Indie comics to give this series a try.