Nomen Omen #1 (of 15): Nectar of Misfortune

Where do we begin with a book like Nomen Omen #1? It’s a story about witchcraft, esoteric traditions and the subversive impact of Magic in our lives on a daily basis.

In short, this is not a reading experience to be taken lightly.

Yes, Nomen Omen #1 is an entertaining book that knows how to get readers excited for the next issue. However, it is also so much more than that. The importance of subtlety is not lost on this creative team. As we turn one page after another, the story takes us on a genuinely dark trip that explores how we interact with our world, even the book we are holding. Underlying meaning in our existence takes prominence as we follow Becky Kumar during these strange new occurrences in her life.

There is a straight forward plot happening to keep readers engaged involving Becky’s three, yes three, Mothers. Her two parents and the one from so long ago who gave her to the light. The implications of this “light” comes to a harrowing realization in the final moments of issue #1 with the introduction of a dark and violent entity, but this story does a great job at capturing a foreboding sense of danger. Not everything is as it seems in Nomen Omen #1 and the story only benefits from this approach.

The artwork from Jacopo Camagni is nothing short of remarkable. There are distinct character emotions and solid background work, but the use of colors to convey storytelling elements is astounding. As we fall into Becky’s perspective, we experience the world through her eyes, through the lens of someone who has achromatopsia (color blindness). There are seemingly random spurts of color, but these all contribute uniquely to the unfolding narrative. The result is a book that delivers arguably the most cohesive reading experience this year, taking you on a grim journey that isn’t for the faint of heart.

The adult themes in Nomen Omen play an important role in how we interact with the story as readers. There are moments of both nudity and extreme violence, but these are fundamental aspects of the story being told, not simply used for shock value. These instances help to ground the book in a ritualistic and horror-based setting as we follow such a diverse cast of characters into imminent danger. This is exactly what I want out of a book steeped in Witchcraft.

Ultimately, Nomen Omen #1 is a book that excels in establishing an original world inhabited by truly interesting and sometimes terrifying individuals. This world-building is supported by both lucid poetry and real world influences including an active Instagram page “_nomen.omen_” that ties directly into the story. Fans will find PLENTY to love about Nomen Omen #1. Don’t let it slip under your radar…