All this month I'll be reviewing different comic books by African-American creators, based on submissions from the actual creators of the comic books themselves. Check out the archive to see what books have been spotlighted so far.

Next up is Hardears #1 by Nigel Lynch (writer) and Matthew Clarke (artist)...

Hardears is a fantastic looking comic book. Clarke is an excellent artist, as he mixes dynamic artwork with a very clever sense of design. He and Lynch have come up with a fascinating approach to making Barbados into a sort of super-mythical place, by sort of putting a over-sized twist on all sorts of famous aspects of island culture.

Look at the giant flying fish used as transportation...

That's both clever AND awesome looking, right?

Similarly, check out a field centipede...

See what I mean about the clever designs mixing well with the dynamic artwork?

One of the most frightening things about island life is tropical storms, as they can be truly devastating. Here, Lynch and Clarke take that notion to the umpteenth degree by giving a storm a literal personality. It is actually a giant water being raining destruction down.

This leads to a mysterious being showing up offering salvation to everyone...but at what cost?

As you can see, this is a very striking comic book from a visual standpoint.

Our main hero, Bolo (the guy fighting the giant centipede) also happens to have a talking raccoon buddy, which is all sorts of awesome.

This is a really excellent tribute to the greatest aspects of Barbados. It is a fine start by Lynch and Clarke.

Check out the series on their website here.