Reviews
Hero Spy
“In a world where nothing seems real, a girl named Sara tracks a phantom killer by living moments of his victims dreams.”
Masks is a prime example of what an independent graphic tale should be. It sets on the cutting edge, looming over and furrowing it’s brow at the regurgitated comics that belch from the mouths of DC and Marvel. Aaron Rintoul and Septagon Studios have the right to be proud. Masks is visually entrancing and the story reads like a poem. It’s a beautiful mixture, but don’t just take my word for it, go read Masks for yourself(Shawn Swanson, For The Full Review Click Here)
Gothic Blend
We all wear masks from time to time, in various forms, for a multitude of reasons too numerous to list. Recently, the independent comic book Masks found it’s way into my realm of reality and sent a shiver down my spine. Now I introduce Masks into your sphere of experience for you to view for yourself.Masks is written and drawn by Aaron Rintoul. Aaron has earned a spot among the established ranks of impressive self taught artists. He is generally influenced by diverse films and by his wife Erica, David Mack, Roman Dirge, Dave McKean, and Ben Templesmith. His creative arsenal includes a Mac, a Wacom tablet, Corel Painter X, Adobe Photoshop CS4 and a Canon 40D digital camera. His artistic style is a blend of traditional comic lettering, and photography, combined with a digital painting technique that gives his work a dream like feel.
(Gothic Blend, For The Full Review Click Here)
Aint it Cool News
Creator Aaron Rintoul wanders through a fractured mind in this photorealistic waking dream of a comic. At times, the prose becomes a bit too poetic for my tastes, but the beautiful computer manipulated photographs make up for that. MASKS is very much a feast for the eyes. The story starts out like an exquisite fairy tale with soft images of a dancing female figure and ornate backgrounds, but as the images grow more and more disturbing, the tone darkens and soon some very warped things start happening.
(Ambush Bug, For The Full Review Click Here)
Comics and Other Imaginary Tales
Rarely I have read and seen something from an unknown (to me) artist that so effectively moves me and evokes so many emotions. The images are at once beautiful, evocative and haunting. The books works on a visceral level and as you are reading it you start to slow down to take in the full effect the art and words are having on you.
(Jim Martin, For The Full Review Click Here)
Comic Book Jesus
This is the kind of creative endeavour that can only be told in a comic format. With vague thoughts of the films The Fountain and MirrorMask in the back of my brain after I read this, I realised that pair of arty, meandering films are probably the closest cinematic equivalent. With a focus on fantasy and imagination rather than any linear narrative it’s not soon before you realise the story, as such, isn’t the highlight. This is billed as a photographic poem, and that description fits like a glove. Not that Masks needs any focus other than the gorgeous art. Let me say that again-gorgeous.
At times the photographic elements are obvious, and at others Rintoul’s keen skills as an illustrator are given the spotlight, with a diverse array of collages and pretty pics. His work also exhibits the clean textural quality of Adi Granov, and in a brief strip club flashback it looks like stills from a basic CGI film. The page layouts are simple enough and retain a simple pace.
(Kris Bather, For The Full Review Click Here)
Comics Bulletin
The author, Rintoul, uses poetic language that weaves in and out of free form and a rhyme scheme that gives the reader an uneasy feeling as they progress through the story. You wonder if the change in tone and language isn’t a result of the main character experiencing or even living the lives of other people. For the most part, the art in this book is hauntingly strange, yet beautiful. However, the constant shifting in styles from blurry and distorted photos to computer generated images could take the reader out of the narrative.Stylistically, you could compare this book to the movie The Cell and a David Mack book. It’s the style of the book that could capture the reader’s attention and bring them back for issue #2.
(Bill Frye, For The Full Review Click Here)
Jazma Online: Masks #1-3
The photographic art is simply gorgeous. It has to be seen to be believed. The story is written like a poem and it flows along so smoothly. This woman whos mind we journey through may just be insane. Or heading down that road. The story at times can be slightly hard to follow unless you read the introduction.Sara is shown in the photographic art as a stunning beauty with an angel’s halo. The colors are visually stunning.
(Richard Vasseur, For The Full Review Click Here)
Review Fix
Inside Sara’s Mind
Long before comic books existed, poetry was (and always will be) a way to creatively express feelings and tell a story.
But what if these two mediums were combined?What would a poem with illustrations look like? Even more importantly, what would it read like?
This is essentially the motif that Septagon Studios new comic, “Masks,” draws its inspiration from.
(Patrick Hickey Jr, For The Full Review Click Here)
Comics Bulletin
4 out of 5 Bullets
To anyone interested in the human psyche or is even studying psychiatry, this is a must-read for you. Masks, with its chilling plot and dazzling artwork, isn’t quite like anything I’ve ever come across before. The story takes place completely inside the head of a young woman named Sara who’s driven to stop a psychopathic killer by reliving her own memories and the memories of his victims. Not only are you guaranteed a mind bender, but the comic artistry is comprised of edited pictures rather than actual drawings.(Felicity Gustafson, For The Full Review Click Here)
