Norma Editorial presents us with Scott Snyder’s latest work, a crossover between horror and western on a par with the author’s other works: Canary

Scott Snyder He has earned the right to ensure that every new work published with his name on the cover receives a fair amount of attention. It is true that the author has traveled through the dangerous wastelands of insignificant comics, sometimes letting himself be guided by the song of sirens success spectacularly mindless, but has a good number of comics under his belt that deserve a place of honor on every reader’s shelf. Curiously, some of them fully enter the sphere of terror, which we will also see in this volume published by Editorial standard which comes to us under the title of Canary.

Westerns and terror

Our protagonist in this twilight western set in Utah at the end of the 19th century is William HoltAND marshal mythical whose legend has even inspired novels. However, his abilities, as rarely happens, live up to what is said about him.

The boy is not only out of this world, but he is also very aware of it and behaves like a dispenser of justice above ordinary mortals. As if that weren’t enough, when Hold works he wears a mask that we could compare to those used by the characters that Snyder’s colleague, James Tynion IVhe created for one of his most successful works, There is something that kills children.

Beyond the plot that will develop in this volume, we will get to know Holt through various ways flashback which, without any surprise, will little by little lead to the story he is now involved in. From the beginning, Snyder clarifies the terrain through which this adventure will develop, highlighting the presence of some type of supernatural entity responsible for the bloody events that are occurring in the territory in which Holt usually moves. And it all goes back to an event in his past and a mining town called Canary.

Snyder’s good version

If we evaluate this comic compared to the roller coaster that is Snyder’s bibliography, it should be made clear that we are in one that is undoubtedly at the top. The screenwriter gets serious about telling a macabre story that takes place in a setting far from any kind of excess that we have seen in some of his more recent works. And this sobriety suits a plot that always tries to remain raw and rude.

In the graphics section we have a Dan Panosian whose style is more appropriate. Although it is true that usually we will not find this artist in the list of the most heat of the moment, its calm tone is reminiscent of certain European westerns, closer to aa Sean Phillips than any other mainstream American cartoonist, which suits Snyder’s story so well and gives it a coherence that it couldn’t have had with a more strident cartoonist. The color palette chosen by Panosian is simply perfect.

A rare cartoon bird

Due to its plot, its setting, its orientation and its aesthetics, we are faced with a comic that, without being one of those unclassifiable rarities that we find from time to time in the independent sphere, is a rare review within what can be expected mainstream American. And something like this, especially when it has the quality that this comic has, is always appreciated for the breath of fresh air it represents.

As for the edition, it must be said that this is wonderful tome presented by Editorial standard It comes in hardback format without dust jacket with a page size of 17 x 26 cm. The volume contains 168 pages in color and includes the translation of the six issues that make up the original edition of the work. The recommended retail price is €27 and went on sale in November 2024.

Canary

THE PERFECT CROSSOVER BETWEEN THE HORROR AND WESTERN GENRES

Marshal William Holt, known for his mask and the novels that tell of his exploits, has been assigned to investigate a strange murder perpetrated by a child. His investigations will lead him to uncover a chain of crimes around the ancient Canarian mining town. Years ago, Holt faced one of the cruelest villains of his career in that same city. Will it have any relation to the current murders?

Scott Snyder (American vampire, Batman: The Court of Owls) returns to western horror with the artist Dan Panosian in a story that will make your blood run cold.

Author: Scott Snyder Yes Dan Panosian