Shining Light 1-6 by SturkWurk (TG superhero comics)

I am delighted to introduce a new name to our weekly showcase of illustrated delights, SturkWurk, who is best known for his work at TGComics.

Shining Light is an exciting new serialized comic by SturkWurk, debuting this weekend, with 2 chapters being posted daily until the grand finale, this Thursday. A transgender superhero comic, it explores The Origin of the Gilded Zephyr, a muscular, busty blonde who has appeared in some of SturkWurk's other comics, but whose transgender coming out was saved for this epic!

As I am writing this, the 4th chapter has just been posted, but I actually have all 13 in my hot little hands, so I am going to tease you a bit while trying very hard not to give away anything important.

The first chapter is a rather haunting piece of work, opening with a number of (gorgeous) silent panels that lead us into a conversation between an old man contemplating suicide and the beautiful goddess who has come to offer him a different choice. It is a very sweet, melancholy bit of storytelling, given a happier twist in the second chapter, which sees Jacob transformed into a younger version of himself. The fact that he completely glosses over the mention of three transformations, coupled with Nyx's quiet slip of a 'she' pronoun of which only the reader is aware, really begins to create some intrigue.

After all that, chapter three is like a slap in the face. With its framing of Jacob sleeping and the stark white backgrounds it might be a dream, a memory, a fantasy, or some kind of astral learning, and the way it unsettles us and puts us on our guard is interesting. Chapter four begins to tease some answers, revealing that the Gilded Zephyr has been missing for years, just before we see Jacob playing hero to rescue a young woman's purse. Where it gets really interesting is with a conversation between himself and a handsome older woman at the library, but I have already said too much.

These first four chapters of Shining Light are beautifully rendered, with some of the most beautiful, photo-realistic figures SturkWurk has ever captured. Their movements are so smooth and natural, it is almost hypnotic, and the use of color and background (or lack thereof) really fleshes out the story. As striking as the white backgrounds of the dream-like chapter were, however, it is the seediness with which the fifth chapter opens that really excited me - the woman in shadow, with the spider necklace, gave me chills, and the black business card was a very nice touch. Chapter six takes us right back to those stark white backgrounds but, without spoiling things, we have a much clearer idea of what is happening and why, and it will change Jacob forever.

Come back on Tuesday when I will share my thoughts on the final seven chapters.

Douglas Sturk (SturkWurk) is a writer and illustrator. He creates web comics for http://TGComics.com and http://MindControlComics.com, and can be hired for commission work.

@sturkwurk
https://www.deviantart.com/sturkwurk

Reviewed by Sally