From the delightful mind of the creator of Momotaro and Peach Boy comes an inventive retelling of a classic tale as old as time.
Inspired by the enduring English folktale of Robin Hood, Redstone declares itself an “epic medieval Western of power, betrayal, and love,” situating the comic as an eye-catcher off premise alone. It’s distinct, and something I’m already keen on due to its creative twist on a tried-and-true legend. But let me assure you—in a world inundated with quick-buck copies, this story stands far apart from simulacra.
Straight out of the gate, we’re met with a riveting in medias res approach to the comic’s storytelling, where Sexton opts instead to catch the reader up to speed alongside the intro scene’s locomotive heist, committed by the infamous Jack Thorne. From there, we’re introduced to the story’s ornate counterpart, where Marian, a newlywed and apparent rookie to royalty, is doing her best cosplay of a blithe aristocrat at a soirée. The juxtaposition between upper- and lower-class society works brilliantly, epitomizing the core themes of Robin Hood and making for a wildly playful experience. I’m fascinated by Sexton’s balancing of the dual POV and her deft handling of the comic’s real estate to weave together a healthy narrative that works in tandem with the line art rather than against it.
When it comes to the Sexton’s art, there’s an innate charm that naturally flows into her work like a spell, binding me to its will and compelling me to laugh out loud on several occasions. Her manga inspirations are evident in her line art, and I’m particularly fond of her illustrations of characters’ faces when they’re caught in the headlights of some embarrassing situation.
Not only that, but Sexton also excels in the romance department, bringing a genuine flutter of adrenaline coursing through my chest during the more passionate scenes. This is a woman of committed craft, and she means to make you gasp with intrigue just as well as chuckle with her work. Given the comic’s genre, I’m excited to continue seeing the author’s interpretation of the Wild West, sure to be chock-full of lootin’, shootin’, saloon brawls, and, most importantly, fully rendered horses gallivanting across the open plains.
Redstone #1 is—quite frankly—a rude entry into the world of Redstone simply because there is only one bite to partake in at the moment of writing this review. But in all seriousness, I am in love with this issue, and I can’t wait to feast on more.
Creative Team: Annie Sexton (cartoonist)
Publisher: Self-published/Webcomic Studio
Click here to read.
