Highwater Press‘ commitment to publish stories by emerging talents from the Indigenous community is to be commended. If I could offer a suggestion, they should have a larger presence at comic book conventions. That way, certain works like Little Moons, written by Jen Storm, can get the marketing it deserves.
This one-shot looks at a family dealing with loss. One day, Chelsea is the life of the party, and the next, she’s gone! Reanna hopes that Chelsea simply ran away, but everyone must accept the horrible truth–she fell victim to a random abduction. As a result, there’s a melancholy embedded in every page. When these tales concern isolated communities with brief communication with the authorities, they offer limited hope.
I examined the early pages to see if the creative team behind this work offered any hints. Sadly, as years pass and no new clues surface, this cold case is just that. A year later, the mother has moved to the big city to conceal her grief, and the kids have moved in with Dad. Life isn’t perfect either. I was examining the art from Ryan Howe, Nickolej Villiger, and Alice RL for other suggestions regarding what may have happened, and the only tiny clues suggest objects moving on their own, lights turning on, and also an orb. Those who are not familiar with paranormal investigation might miss this detail, but I noticed it.
But as for whether the Ojibwa traditions can help those souls connect with the dead, the answers offered are sound. I won’t spoil this story with my ideas since they stem from generalised studies concerning spirits, but for those seeking ways to deal with the loss of a loved one, this graphic novel at least offers some peace of mind. At least a little smile can be placed when Reanna finally knows she doesn’t have to be alone.
4 Stars out of 5