Written by Travis Gibb
Art by Luke Stone (issue 1-2) and Gilliard Goulart (issue 3)
Colors by Alan Emmanuel (issues 1-3) and Alves Lunyo (issue 3)
Letters by Jerome Gagnon
Published by Orange Cone Productions on Kickstarter

“RJ and her husband Brent travel deep into Voodoo strongholds around the world, trying to restore Brent’s humanity. This dark and haunting journey will challenge their faith, marriage, and worldview. Life, death, and the supernatural await them in the dark and sinister world of VOODOO NATIONS.”

Issue 1 of this comic book was my introduction to Travis Gibb’s comics along with Broke Down and Four Dead Bodies and it is what got me wanting to back any Kickstarter comic he puts out because it is how I knew he made quality comics. I am also a sucker for a good splash page, especially one that follows into the sentence started on the previous page. And Voodoo Nations does just that in its introduction.

Throughout the first 3 issues you journey to different places known for their practice of voodoo. Voodoo Nations is a crazy ride from start to finish that will test what you believe, take you to some dark depths, and really make you think. When Christian missionaries travel to Brazil on a mission to help the people after a disaster by spreading the word of God, are they encroaching on the territory of Bishop Lucas, a Voodoo Priest or are they just trying to help the people?

Gibb keeps the pace of each issue moving smoothly and to the beat of the story. There is plenty of time to discover our main characters as the story ticks along, giving us enough time to be attached when their world is turned upside down. Brent and RJ are kind, charitable people who truly feel that their presence is helping those in need. When their worldview is challenged by Bishop Lucas in Brazil, a cascade of events will test them in all new ways. The clear imagery to the rebirth of Jesus that is celebrated at Easter time is mirrored in this story directly and does a fantastic job of being used as a way to push Brent and RJ to their limits. Their humanity is put through the wringer of voodoo as their journey takes them to another voodoo capital of the world – New Orleans.

I love the surprising moments of humor that get thrown in throughout the story, especially when it comes from Bishop Lucas, in this otherwise more serious story. These brief moments of levity elevate the story as it heads into darker moments.

As the story takes our characters to New Orleans in issue 2, I must say that I’m quite biased to this part of the story as I live in New Orleans. Issue 2 picks up the already hot steam and puts it on full blast as the action gets even crazier. We meet 2 more voodoo priests and see Brent’s journey continue down a darker path. The world being built here is excellent and gives the readers a peak into the politics within the Voodoo Nations.

Issue 3 is the coup de grâce on the little faith RJ had left as we see her head further down into the world of voodoo. Watching RJ’s journey is fascinating as many people are put through real-life tests of faith that may not be quite as supernatural as RJ’s, but are just as impactful. The readers’ faith in the goodness of RJ and Brent is tested as well during this issue as the issue heads to some darker places.

Overall Voodoo Nations has been a supernatural journey of faith, family, and what we all would give to keep our loved ones by our sides. With one more issue to go after #3, this story is headed for some crazy places and literally leaves us on a bit of a cliffhanger. What awaits RJ in the Voodoo Nations? Will Brent be saved? Or is it too late? The journey this story takes you on is phenomenal.

The art throughout the first 2 issues by Luke Stone is fantastic and the transition to Gilliard Goulart’s art in issue 3 is seamless. The small details seen throughout the backgrounds, the details of Brent’s tattoos, and all of the Voodoo Nations imagery scattered throughout bring the story to life. The different cultures depicted in each city of the Voodoo Nations appear to be well-represented and bring even more spectacular visuals to our eyes. Some action sequences are depicted so well that it feels like he is trying to make the art jump off of the page! Alan Emmanuel’s colors bring both a darkness and a life to the story that is very fun to see. Crisp, bright colors contrast dark tones all throughout the story. Lastly, Jerome Gagnon does it again with his lettering and shows why he is one of the best indie comic letterers out there.

If you love voodoo, New Orleans, tests of faith, and jumping into the abyss then you should check out Voodoo Nations! Voodoo Nations is an enthralling story with nonstop action, twists, and drama that will leave you not able to put it down. Is that because the story is so good or did Bishop Lucas secretly take control of you? I guess you’ll have to read to find out!

Kickstarter Pre-Launch Page for issues 1-3: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bd4db-issue3/voodoo-nations-issues-1-3-horror-suspense-comic-series?fbclid=IwAR3fu8MzFcgpl6B4X6wbnHMTBymKV0JPR7zaR5gce2qiF0KOSe03FmO-r7A