This is a grand story, and it's almost firing on all cylinders. It has a few things that go THUD in it, though. So let's get those out of the way. First and main thing...the use of vertical, and then horizontal, and then switching back and forth, pages in this book, make it hard to read on a computer. I would also not like it holding it in my hand as a printed book, having to turn pages sideways to read them has always bothered me. Another thing that kept me from fully engaging, is artwork flaws. Some places the art is much better than others. Facial constructions and poses that don't work, pop us out of the flow of the story. That's something this title will really need to work on moving forward.

Now the good...the overall power and complexity of the plot and pacing of things happening, is enjoyable. I'm not reading something I haven't seen in some story or another before, but there is enough originality of the characters, personality in their interactions, that this does work, and is interesting. So yeah, this has some things to work on and think about, but it's something I'd read more of too, so I'll give it a "Check it out" wholeheartedly.

-Ian Shires is publisher of Self Publisher! Magazine. www.selfpubmag.com

This is a really good story, being the first half of a previously published graphic novel. The pacing is quite good, and the storytelling works. Some of the character introductions are abrupt and confusing, but they are quickly explained in a way that you understand and have an interest in knowing more.

It follows Tom Straw in the late 1800s - a longhunter with a strong connection to the Shawnee tribe of Native Americans. Tom's struggle changes as he struggles with the encroachment of native lands.

But it is not preachy. It has two compelling stories with well-done action scenes. One early typo distracted me from the book, but the letterer did a good job overall. The book slows down about 2/3 in due to some understandable exposition.

Overall, it's a fun read.