Week of 4/29/2024
This week, the Struck v. Struck courtroom drama reaches a verdict on The Shapes and I have a handful of announcements alongside a review of a fantasy-action comic about destroying the moon.
The Shapes
Struck v. Struck 26-28
News
TCAF Digital Marketplace
If you read my previous update, you knew I said I would be on hiatus due to travels, so whatever am I doing here now? I’m still abroad, but then I was notified about the Toronto Comic Arts Festival’s Digital Marketplace, which I applied for and got accepted into, so I’m using that as an excuse to get back on my workaholic toes again (or should I say fingers).
While my online shop is still closed as I work towards moving to a better platform to sell my comic books, you can still support me by buying a physical or digital copy of The Shapes issues at the TCAF Digital Marketplace, which is going on until May 24. Orders of print issues will ship in July.
Scarff #18 Feature
More great news! Another upcoming Shapes comic is running on the Scarff anthology’s Funnies page, this time an Easter Tammy the Tabby strip. You can nab a copy of Scarff for free at these select retailers or subscribe to their Patreon to receive it directly in your mailbox.
Newsletter Anniversary
Last month marked one year since I started this weekly newsletter (boy, how time flies). When I began this, I remember it was from a place of frustration and fatigue with social media’s fickle algorithms. It’s still the best damn decision I’ve made with zero regrets! Not only has this been a direct way of reaching my comics readership, but also something more personal, a creative outlet where I can share my progress and whatever else I feel like such as my passion for reviewing other comics. I guess you could say, in other words, it’s a way to open up and share a piece of myself (though that sounds weirdly cannibalistic). And it’s all thanks to you!
To all my readers both old and new, every time you open up these updates when they reach the inbox, you give me a better reason to keep at this. I’m especially thankful to the few of you who went out of your way to comment and directly message me expressing your support and enjoyment of my material. Cheers to another year of Sam’s Studios and thank y’all!
Sammy the Critic
Maru Kiru Destroy the Moon Vol 1-2 Review
In a world where a tyrannical god on the moon rules with an iron fist over the planet Tulth dwells the fierce warrior Maru Kiru who wishes to put an end to his despotic rule using the power of magic and her might to “DESTROY THE MOON!”
There are two pieces of media that spring to mind at the idea of moon destruction, the memorable Mr. Show skit and the plot of the first Despicable Me. Thus, naturally, with a premise like that, I assumed this would be some absurdist comedy, but to the contrary, the story takes itself quite seriously. While it makes some sense with context, I still don’t understand why Maru needs to destroy the moon to kill a god. Sounds almost like destroying an entire country under the guise of taking out an authoritarian regime which a certain nation is doing right now. Politics aside, although Volume 1 starts out uneven, by the end and into Volume 2, the pace stabilizes and finds its footing.
From the beginning, Albetski hooks the reader with fancifully written exposition and frenetic action. The fight scenes displayed dynamic posing with standout lettering that just pops. We furthermore see Maru’s demeanor manifest through these sequences as an audacious and strong-willed yet impulsively belligerent individual. Worldbuilding is conveyed through expository narration which should feel turgid yet miraculously avoids that because of how spread out the text layout is.
However, there is a noticeable missing link throughout between the characterization and worldbuilding. Yes, we know how Maru’s objective is related to her planet’s oppression, but not on a personal level where we see her and any loved ones’ livelihood directly affected by it, and as much as the narration avoids the info dumping pitfalls of storytelling, there is still too much telling and not enough showing. We are told that Gollusar is a despotic overlord, but no aspects of his reign of terror are depicted to show us this is a formidable foe.
Warts and all, the first entry ends on a thrilling cliffhanger as Maru has to battle Gollusar’s followers, which perfectly leads into the following installment and an extra filler story where Maru kicks ass fighting demons.
By the time we reach the second volume, the story finds its balance better and becomes a lot more engaging. For one, there’s an entire wordless sequence where Maru finally has to confront her weaknesses head-on after being overpowered, giving more time to see her for more than her mettle and aggression. The art throughout is mesmerizing with completing colors and texture pervading the pages. Albetski especially draws water sublimely depicting its interaction with the character, and the use of minipanels and speech bubbles to visually express a particular expression or sentiment is pretty clever.
As the comic progresses, the fight scenes improve by tenfold containing a number of shots that stand on their own magnificently as individual illustrations.
Akin to Volume 1, this one concludes on a cliffhanger, this one even more exciting than the last as it’s the climactic battle we’ve all been waiting for. Hopefully, the third and likely final installment will tie up any remaining loose ends, including Maru’s upbringing which is lightly touched upon in Volume 2’s bonus story as well as the rather cute “Demon of the Pit” where child Maru searches for grub.
Overall, Maru Kiru: Destroy the Moon is a fairly entertaining ongoing comic that continues to improve its storytelling and art as it progresses. The jump in quality between the action scenes between Volume 1 and 2 is incredible. This is one I’d recommend keeping up with.
Currently, the author is running a Kickstarter campaign for the physical releases until May 9, and you can read the comic for free on GlobalComix.
Thank you Brendan Albetski for these free review copies in exchange for a review.