Stonehaven: Subterranean Hearts

(Stickman Graphics, 2006)
™ and ©2006 Stickman Graphics

The pitch of Stonehaven Subterranean Hearts is Lord of the Rings meets The Godfather. A more accurate description might be Dungeons & Dragons meets Law & Order. This ashcan is a preview of a 240-page graphic novel.

Kevin Tinsley’s art is good, but the photocopying in this ashcan didn’t bring it out. The world of Stonehaven takes place in a modern fantasy world. Think Harry Potter: There are cars and wizards, subways and monsters. The challenge in a story like this is mixing the fantasy elements into a modern setting without losing whatever makes the fantasy interesting. Some of that comes across: There are monsters in the sewers that attack dogs, and a group of sewer workers have to battle giant rats.

Unfortunately, there’s too much modern day here and not enough fantasy. The characters live in a big city, and many are distant from each other. What’s missing here are dynamic relationships that suck in the reader. Maybe Tinsley needs to pick a different chapter as a preview for this large graphic novel.

— Tony DiGerolamo

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Cover Price: $19.95
1 copy available for $16.00

Kevin Tinsley