I Am Fire by Rachael Smith

Rachael Smith comics

Following the success of Rachael Smith's first comic, The Way We Write, it is a pleasure to review her second work, I Am Fire.  

As you know, I have had a 15 year sabbatical from comics.  One development in my absence that has genuinely impressed me in that time is the rise of British comics, especially independent comic books. If they existed before I wasn't able to find them and certainly didn't have access to them in the pre Internet Watford.  

I am always a sucker for a comic that oozes charms and wit and Rachael's work certainly does that.  Set in an English suburban town it will ring bells with anyone who spent their teenage years in the provinces and Rachel's work captures the tone and wit of the age perfectly.  


Revolving around Jenny, a school girl on work experience, and Chris, a young pyromaniac, you are hit by both the style of writing as well as the art work.  It is a genuine joy to read and for my money, an author that is well worth keeping an eye on.  

How to buy I Am Fire

Rachael has an Etsy page where you can buy the comic direct. 


Personally I am always thrilled when authors cut out the middle man and you can purchase direct.  I am always happier when all the profits go to the person who put the effort in and if you are like me, you will agree that Rachael Smith deserves all the recognition possible for her efforts.  

A strong new voice in British comics, Rachael Smith's I Am Fire is a must. 

Thor: God of Thunder

Buy one Thor get two free

After 15 years away from comics, the greatest joy in returning to the neighbourhood is having series after series to catch up on.  I have been able to blitz an entire story arc in an entire weekend, finding new worlds to get involved in and new characters to find out more about.  


The problem I have with Thor: God of Thunder is I am having to wait for each new episode like a chump.  How do people do this?  With a story as epic as this, I honestly don't know how people survive. 

Storytelling as mythology

Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic have created a world and characters which seem to have existed for eternity.  When you read them for the first time it strikes a long forgotten chord and you start to believe you have lived with these players all your life.  In Gorr you have a nemesis for author truly worthy of the name and a destructive streak that not just matches Thor but beats him down time after time.  

With 10 episodes through, the final chapter in issue 11 is a genuine must and you still have time to catch up. I cannot recommend this highly enough - the artwork, the story, the characters, it is my pick of the year and has left me exhilarated to the possibilities of Thor's universe. A truly staggering work.