Jewish mysticism, demonic possession, urinating werewolves, and sci-fi superheroes—it’s all present in the pages of Spiralmind, a uniquely fun journey into a world not unlike our own where religion and humanity collide. Co-created by Ben Perez and Matt Rothblatt of Phi3 Comics (the duo’s independently owned comic book company), the story of the mysterious hero Spiralmind is a distinctive treat that is both intriguing and entertaining.
Spiralmind hits the ground with “Rabbi’s Lament,” the first issue of the series in which readers will meet Rabbi Rotblatt, a spiritual man who wanders the streets of Nineveh, a fictional locale named after an ancient city that once existed in what is now the modern-day Middle East. The story opens as Rabbi Rotblatt journeys to the estate of his old friend, Sir Maxwell, whose decline in humanity mirrors the unending cold that plagues the city of Nineveh.
Upon meeting with his old friend, the rabbi realizes the extent of damnation and corruption that is haunting the world around him. As the evil rises up to consume the rabbi, Rotblatt is saved only by the mysterious Spiralmind, a figure preparing for war against the encroaching darkness.
Spiralmind is a good reminder of what comic books look like outside of Marvel and DC. The story is uniquely pulp-like, but takes an interesting twist in using Jewish mythology to frame the tale. The actual writing of the comic doesn’t waste time diving into the plot, and though the narration can be a bit sensationalized at times, its all-around entertaining. The illustrations of indie-artist Brian Robinson are rather enjoyable; he manages to capture often-times cool details in the characters and monsters throughout the story, giving his artwork a distinct flair.
Overall, Spiralmind is a worthwhile investment for anyone who wants to see comics taken in a different direction. Fans of dark fantasy and science fiction alike will easily find an enjoyable story in the comic that will leave them looking forward to the next installment.
This comic book review originally appeared on Comic News on 10 March 2009.
