The story behind the comic book The 36 is based on the Kabbalistic belief that there are 36 people in the world upon whom it is saved by their simple existence. As the book states, “In times of need, these people emerge from anonymity to save us.”
With the first issue of The 36, creator Kristopher White set the tone for an epic adventure steeped in an ancient mythology. In Issue #2, White and artist George Zapata are not content to tread water, expanding the story and the relationships of the increasingly charismatic cast of characters!
Like the first issue, this installment of The 36 moved at a brisk pace, smoothly transitioned between exciting action and naturalistic humor, and ended with several story threads that readers will be eager to follow into the next issue. White has a talent for writing an entertaining tale that leaves you wanting more.
Introduced last issue as the master of the Golem, the Trench Coat Man has a large role in this issue, and I found him to be a particularly interesting character. Given the mysterious noir-style that Zapata uses in this character’s scenes, he ended up reminding me of the old X-Files characters who had cryptic names like “the cigarette smoking man,” “the well manicured man,” etc. While his identity is revealed in this issue, I won’t spoil that twist, but I will say that, given the creative “end” he meets, I do hope this is not the last we’ve seen of the Trench Coat Man.
This issue also gives the readers a good idea of where the main characters are heading and how their paths will be intertwined down the road. White sets up a decent love triangle and adds a little monkey wrench from Noam that hints at a tragic past for our lead character.
White also included a special thank you at the beginning of this issue to The 36‘s Kickstarter backers. Given my own pride for the independent and small-press books out there, I was really happy to see White’s sincere gratitude to his supporters and his positive outlook on the future for small-press creators. There were only 122 backers, which only makes the message of The 36, that a determined few can make great things happen together, that much stronger.
The first and second issues are available at the official website, www.the36.net. You can also follow creator/writer Kristopher White on Twitter, @heykristopher.
That’s all for now, comic book-sniffers! You can also check out Fanboy Comics’ previous interviews with Kristopher White at the following links:
Comikaze Expo 2011: Fanboy Comics Interviews Kristopher White, Creator/Writer of The 36
Fanboy Comics Interviews Kristopher White, Creator/Writer of The 36
‘Till the end of the world,
-Bryant the Comic Book Slayer
