I received a physical copy for Rockstar Book Tours via Vault Comics. All reviews are my own.
I've been immersed in the world of comics since last Saturday's Free Comic Book Day, also known as May the Fourth Be With You Day. Today, I'm excited to delve into a unique Kickstarter project, WifWulf by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with stunning illustrations by Dailen Ogden. This captivating piece of art tells the story of a woman who transforms into a wolf spirit after facing life's hardships.
"Wif. Noun, Old A Woman; this word is also the origina from which the word “wife” is derived. Contrast with “wer,” a man.
Wulf. Noun, Old A Wolf, a wild carnivorous mammal of the Canidae family, which lives and hunts in packs.
WIFWULF is an original folklore myth telling the story of Charity Bjornsdotter, a young woman in 1860's Montana who spends her days in the woods with her closest friend, a local wolf she calls Silver Slash. Charity is on the precipice of marriage to the most handsome man in her small village, the mercurial-yet-beloved Paul Skeld. But as her husband isolates her from Silver Slash, she begins to feel a call to the wilds...for it is there that her true destiny awaits. WIFWULF is the harrowing tale of a woman forcibly separated from that which makes her feel alive, a reinterpretation of the classic werewolf myth... and the origin story of a new goddess."
Before starting this journey, I urge you to read the author's note. It's not just a preface but a profound insight into the book's themes of trauma and grief. This well-crafted explanation prepares us for the emotional rollercoaster that lies ahead, making it a perfect starting point for the book.
The story itself is concise. At first, I thought it would be a volume series, but then I quickly took it for a standalone novella series. It is not. We get the main story, a one-page POV from the spirit wolf, and a side quest diary mission from a boy villager. All of it is connected but as an afterthought. I wish the story were longer, or at least in volumes because it was that interesting. Wifwulf was told well, and I wanted to know more about Mother Wolf and her pack. I wanted to see the aftermath of the villagers finding out about this human-turned-wolf girl. I wanted to see Mother Wolf gain more clarity as a different species and deal with other spirits. The authors could have gone further with this!
The artwork in this book was a true masterpiece. Despite the dark themes, the illustrations brought the story to life, whether or not there were dialogue bubbles. Including behind-the-scenes concept art at the end of the book was a delightful bonus, providing insight into the vibrant and somber areas of the story.
Overall, I rated this book 3.5 stars. I'm only giving it three and a half stars because it was so short! We could've gotten more, but the Authors and illustrator made their point. They had a message to sell, and they hit the nose with this project. Maybe if we bombard them with another Kickstarter campaign, we can get part two of this amazingly detailed story. Also, it is very random; if you want to feel this book's atmosphere and play video games, check out Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice.
WifWulf is available now.
