William of Newbury #3

Recap
From the co-creator of the Eisner Award-winning, bestselling Powers comes this brand-new anthropomorphic supernatural series that's Hellboy meets Redwall. William and Winnie have been arrested by Abbot Edward and are on their way to trial. But they must make an escape to arrive in Melrose Abbey where they will confront their most dangerous revenant yet. This undead chaplain has chased away the clergy, burst nuns into flames, and leaves devilish claw marks on the church. What will William and Winnie do when this evil raises its full power against them? Based on the true accounts of English historian William of Newbury.
Review
History is much more fun when it’s told with animals. That’s exactly what William of Newbury is doing–with a supernatural flair. William’s only goal in life, despite being afraid of most things in the real world, is to help towns menaced by spirits. But things get much more serious in William of Newbury #3.
Winnie and William are in Edward’s custody when William of Newbury #3 begins. Edward is taking William back for trial and certain punishment for interaction with the spirit world despite the fact that he is arguably protecting people and towns. Along the way, Edward recounts a story from his and William’s youth where the two children were visited by a spirit as they slept and lost their souls as a result. William chooses to use his time to battle spirits. But unless he can escape, William will never do so again.
The series takes a weighty turn in William of Newbury #3, and it’s a welcome development. William’s ever lengthening list of what scares him in the real world is good for a chuckle or two, but it doesn’t really work as meaningful character development. The background that William and Edward believe they have no souls simultaneously creates motivation and contrast for the characters. Whether because he has nothing to lose or because he thinks he can regain his soul, his determination to help others comes into better focus.
Edward’s development, meanwhile, is largely a result of the art. In previous issues he was little more than a character who angrily pushed back against William. He wasn’t so much an antagonist as a speed bump. His attitude is the same in William of Newbury #3, but now he also feels old. Edward slouches. His ears droop. And when he’s not yelling, which is almost his only expressed emotion, his eyes are downcast and his mustache droops in a way that could be interpreted as a frown. Accompanied by his assertion that
William of Newbury’s best character, though, is Winnie. Her personal journey began in the first issue where she was a bandit thinking she could ransom William. From there she has gone on a spiritual journey. She sees the spirits William interacts with. She even has William bless her ax with holy water. But she hasn’t quite reached the point of belief in God–at least the same God that William believes in. It is the last line she seems unwilling to cross. But in any event, by William of Newbury #3 she has found camaraderie with William and even a measure of selflessness.
Encounters with spirits in this series are consistently depicted with a bright green and yellow–an explosion of color very different from anything else the series offers. The blend of the two almost has a sickly quality. It may be noteworthy that the spirit realm that Edward describes when he and William lost their souls is also green, though very faded and with almost gray highlights. The art and coloring create a clear distinction between the two worlds, even when the one bleeds into the other. Lettering choices further reinforce the delineation with all spirits, including the one that stole Edward and William’s souls, speaking with red text.
Final Thoughts
William of Newbury #3 delivers the weightiest story point in the form of Edward and William losing their souls. There is no fire and brimstone, but it is a serious idea that may push back against the all ages label the series has. That aside, it remains an easy to digest story with historical elements that are made fun.
William of Newbury #3: It Gets Serious
- Writing - 7.5/107.5/10
- Storyline - 7/107/10
- Art - 7.5/107.5/10
- Color - 7/107/10
- Cover Art - 7.5/107.5/10