CANTO #2: A Hero’s Best Friend

Can contemporary, realistic fiction mix with fantasy? The quick answer is; “Of course!”, but the more difficult question may be; “How?” Well, it seems that the writer: David M. Booher, artist: Drew Zucker, colorist: Vittorio Astone, and letterer: Deron Bennett has become the fearsome four in fantasy creation! This team cohesively serves as psychological delusion, an emotional outlet for the main character’s pain, and they help further the plotline in a satisfying way for their readers.

The first few pages of Canto #2 begin to show us that Booher is “in on it” as he describes an idiosyncratic belief or the impression of fear that most children and adults firmly maintain to battle the unknown, “fears were only dreams of everything that could be”. This issue, we follow Canto’s journey through challenging obstacles. Canto’s adventure begins away from Arcana, where he is about to experience life in a new light and collaborate with once unknown creatures. This is a story describing paths that any child or adult may experience in a new venture.

Canto IS a hero, even if he doesn’t yet comprehend. He continues to show us that “no matter how miserable times seem there’s always a little bit of light in the dark”. Booher, Zucker, Astone, and Bennett are very convincing in this story as they “suspend disbelief” by going into the fantasy entirely. Everything is seen through the non-real lens, so we trust to stay-with-it. This fearsome team justifies, “how to associate”, an alternate reality to “real world” new experiences.

It’s time for Canto to put on the big boy pants and begin his journey! Most of Canto #2 is guided by the brilliant work of Zucker and Astone. The details, the details, the flow of each panel; I just cannot get over how well they were able to read Booher’s mind and translated it into a work of artistic storytelling. Mostly without words, Canto takes on a scary and dark path. No, not the yellow brick road, but definitely familiar aspects. This brave little knight turns fear into his greatest strength as he faces creatures yet to come. No, there are no lions, tigers, or bears; however, Canto takes on creatures that seem many times his size. “My time for fearing beasts of this world is over”!

As Canto defends himself, a familiar creature he met in the last issue, chases the other Malorex away. This is where, Booher’s writing gets us a little teary-eyed. Are you a pet lover? Well, you will be touched by this relationship. Canto’s new found best friend will be there to protect him as they journey continues together up in the mountains with evergreens and patches of snow. Then they reach a lake and we reach to the cliffhanger of Canto #2.

Wait! You thought I was going to spoil what happens? You better pick up Canto #2 and see for yourself!