Backways

Backways #1-5

by Justin Jordan, Mike Marts (Editor), Eleonora Carlini (Artist)

There is a hidden nation. A nation of magic and madness, one that exists in all the forgotten spaces. Your basement, your attic, the haunted house down the street, anyone of those might be a part of the Backways.

Anna Merrick lost someone in the Backways, and she’ll stop at NOTHING to get them back. Even if it means unleashing something unimaginable.

Collects Issues #1-5

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics Manga

120 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2018

About the author

Justin Jordan is an American comic book writer. He is known for writing and co-creating The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, Spread, Dead Body Road, Deep State, Dark Gods and Savage Things. He has also written Green Lantern: New Guardians, Superboy, Deathstroke and Team 7 for DC Comics and the relaunch of Shadowman for Valiant Entertainment.

In 2012, he was nominated for the Harvey Award for Most Promising New Talent.

Reviews

[47Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Sylvia gets pulled into a magical mirror, her friend Anna is determined to look for her. Coyote Bones steals Sylvia's book of magic, prompting Anna to follow her into the Backways, a world that magically unites hidden places. Anna knows how to use magic, but other characters are much more adept at it. She needs to dodge them until she can find her friend. Thankfully, Coyote helps out in her own awkward way.

Coyote has many magical knacks in her inventory, though they are far from 100% effective. She is a rogue who has upset many in the Backways. Fell is one of many and also one of the most powerful among them. When he captures Anna and Coyote, Anna finds she is a whisperer, one who can talk with the dead.

A spirit helps her get away from Fell, but the Morning Wolf is far more dangerous. And the Outsider is the most dangerous of all. Jacob Bruenner recounts the Outsider's past deeds that led to the Desolation, a cataclysmic event that led to many deaths. The Outsider was defeated by Wendy, now an old woman and friend to Jacob. He has lured Sylvia into its prison, so freeing her would release him as well. Still, Anna and Coyote steal the magical mirror that sees into the Outsider's prison.

The Wolf reaches Anna who reacts by calling upon the souls of the afterlife for help. Their power is enough to pacify everybody and step into the Outsider's prison to drag Sylvia out. But did she free only Sylvia or something else as well?

[Maciej · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ta historia jest tak oklepana i płytka, że miałem się poddać po pierwszym numerze. Z drugiej strony, świetne rysunki i lekkość z jaką się czyta ten komiks nie pozwolił mi się od niego oderwać.
Główną bohaterką jest Anna Merrick, która w bardzo trywialny sposób traci bliską przyjaciółkę/dziewczynę w Backways, takim świecie zza lustrem, ostoją dla dziwaków, czarodziejów i innych postaci z nadnaturalnymi mocami.
Szybko dowiadujemy się, że poza dobrymi osobami z ponadprzeciętną wrażliwością na cudowność naszego świata i jego tajemnic istnieją również byty potężne i z nie do końca dobrymi intencjami. Bohaterka jest gotowa poświęcić wiele aby znaleźć w tym magicznym półświatku swoją ukochaną co przynosi jej wiele problemów i nowych wyzwań.
Całą historię można byłoby skrócić do 3 numerów, a finał rozbudować i lepiej doszlifować. Scenariusz tak jak pisałem, jest płytki, lekko infantylny i po prostu nudny, rekompensują to piękne rysunki z cudownym kolorowaniem. Jeżeli chodzi o wydanie zbiorcze pierwszego tomu to nie ma co narzekać, mamy alternatywne okładki, koncepty i kilka fajnych grafik.

[James Calefato · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. Amazing art and great story. If you’re a fan of Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal this will definitely appeal. There is magic. There is adventure. It’s funny seeing how independent and non major comic book publishers seems to be producing better stories than some of the other major line comic publishers. Now I just need to track down volume 2!

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love hidden world of magic and strangeness stories, and this is a good one, bolstered by fine art. Highly recommended.

[Ben Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Promising start. Will read Book 2

[Vi · Rating 3 out of 5]

no real meat yet?

[Shylo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - I don't know why I feel the need to be so specific, but there ya go. Full of non-stop action, this graphic novel is perfect for fans of dark urban fantasy.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's bad mojo about this book. Baaaaaad mooojooo!!

[Brianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2/5*

Cool concept, awesome art.. but not fleshed out. I want this as a novel series.

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me.
Has merit but I'm not the right audience.
Justin jordan is a great writer.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Teenage , lesbian urban fantasy with non-stop running around and very little story. The ending comes with no real answers, and despite some interesting moments, I do not care enough to read the next one.