Head Lopper #16: Stairway to Heaven

Writing

If you know me then you know I love me some Head Lopper. Each quarter it is great to have this big, bad, thick story to dig into. It is one of those things that you really feel like you get your money’s worth each time. You never feel “cheated” when buying it. Though it is hard to exactly remember what has happened previously in the story having to wait three months each time would be a downfall. Andrew Maclean has gotten pretty adapt with catching us back up without a big info dump each time.

Maclean does a lot of fun and interesting things in Head Lopper #16. It feels like he slows the story down a little at the beginning. Once the characters get to Mulgrid’s Stair Maclean starts to set up some truly epic things for the story after this issue into the future. It has some exciting implications that has me eagerly awaiting the next story arc. I love how Maclean has weaved Head Lopper into this huge epic fantasy and truly sprawling adventure.

But, Maclean does not forget the story being told in these past for issues and gets us into the final throws of it as well. He sets things up nicely with an almost Ocean’s Eleven style plot that is a ton of fun to see these characters go through. Maclean has got s attached to this characters particular well. As we have obviously been with Norgal and Agatha since the beginning. But, Brishka and Goat have become fantastic characters in their own right. No spoilers but you know Maclean has knack for killing off characters so, you will have to check the issue to see if they survive!

Art

Andrew Maclean’s art style is one that always catches me by surprise. What seems “simple” at first glance blasts into an array of wonderful detail and style at further inspection. His character design and scene layout continue to be tremendously done and he visually tells a story superbly well. Whether it is character telling the story through their expressions or the way he angles panels and scenes. Maclean excels at using every bit of the page available to tell his story.

There has always been a video game type feel to the series and in interviews Maclean has noted video game influences as well. Head Lopper #16 bleeds those influences across the pages especially in the first part of the story. Turning the pages makes you feel like you are in an 8 or16-bit fantasy game long forgotten. Each page feels like a different “level”. It adds a different layer or “flavor” to the series with these visuals.

Jordie Bellaire’s colors continue to shine in Head Lopper #16. She uses a lot of yellow in this issue and it stands out tremendously well. She does a delightful job of contrasting the light and darkness of the issue. Knowing when to brighten the scenery up a bit and also darkening it with the tone of the story unfolding.