The Owl: Osage Guardian #1 is a comic created by Skylar Ammons and published by Blue Turtle Comics. Man, this comic has more pulp than freshly-squeezed orange juice. It is a tale of tragedy and justice told through the eyes of a young Native American girl named Martha. This story takes place in 1935 Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl-era, where people were struggling to survive. Martha’s family is unfortunately struggling as well, being forced to sell their “trade blankets” in order to get by. They take a road trip to make this transaction and it is this journey that leads to our story really kicking off. This is one of the best comics I’ve read recently. The narration is gripping, the dialogue crisp, and the characterization strong. They even have the old-timey phrases and words thrown in for good measure. I don’t know if this is the start of a series, but even standalone this is a must-read.
The Dust Bowl being a time where the landscape was dry and lifeless really helps the story artistically. How you ask? In specific panels where the event happening is high-stakes and demands our focus, due to the drabness of the background our eyes are drawn to the action. This contributes to the story as well, as it is metaphor for how the plainness and regular cycle of life has been disturbed. The character art here is excellent, faces awash with expression and features that give us glimpses into the past life of these people. This is a pulp comic so expect faded, toned down colors. But because this is a pulp comic there is a greater significance to those same colors, especially when they shine brighter.
“Is this worth reading?”
Yes.
“Would I like this?”
If you like pulp comics this is up your alley. Great Depression-era subject matter fans should read this as well. This is also a comic by and about Native Americans, which might be something some of you have been looking for.
“What would this comic’s film rating be?”
R. Violence.
“Could I get a quote from the comic?”
“You’ve never been one for diplomacy, Mr. Vickers.”
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blueturtlecomics/the-owl-osage-avenger-1/description
***IN-DEPTH COMIC STATS BELOW***
Probably Contains Spoilers
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Actual Pages(not counting covers and credits): 32
Violent Pages: 10, for 31% of the comic
Sexy Pages: 0, for 0% of the comic
**The levels below aren’t necessarily maintained throughout the whole comic, but they were definitely reached**
Violence Level – 3
“Wasn’t no tussling at all.”
“Sometimes you gotta hit somebody.”
“I’m getting charged with how many counts of assault?”
“This was a tournament arc.”
“All my life I had to fight.”
Gore Level – 3
“The only thing leaking out your face is tears.”
“Looks like somebody spilled some ketchup.”
“Might need to soak that up with a bath towel.”
“That isn’t supposed to be outside the body.”
“This is a slaughterhouse.”
Death Level – 3
“And everybody lived happily ever after.”
“We might have gone to a couple funerals.”
“It just LOOKS like a serial killer was here.”
“Yeah this was a tragedy.”
“Think Gettysburg.”
Porn Level – 1
“Everybody kept their clothes on.”
“I guess it was too hot for a bra.”
“Sometimes you got to let everything air out.”
“This is like late night Cinemax in the early 2000’s.”
“Oh. This is porn.”
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