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Keeping
the Faith:
The Marquis: Danse Macabre
Oni
Press Trade Paperback Review by: Troy
Brownfield
By:
Guy Davis
More info at: http://www.onipress.com
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 You
know Guy Davis. His dark visions have adorned such series
as the criminally overlooked "Sandman Mystery Theatre"
and "Nevermen". In the Oni Press collection of his
original mini-series, "The Marquis", Davis gets
the chance to cut loose on all cylinders, taking his inspired
black and white art to new levels and writing a tale of retribution
and twists of faith that reads simultaneously as mystery,
action tale and social commentary. It's a really fantastic
piece of work.
Comments in the afterword indicate that this story is the
first part of a planned trilogy on The Marquis. As an opening
act then, this volume is exceptional. We meet Vol De Galle,
a man apparently blessed by the saints with the ability to
see past the human guises worn by devils hiding in the world.
Donning a guise normally reserved for the ritual of Confession
(where normal men and women go to act out sins in the hopes
that they leave them behind), De Galle becomes the Marquis,
a sword-and-pistol wielding avenger for Heaven. Or so he believes.
Davis does wonders with his concept of masks. Obviously, The
Marquis himself wears a disguise used by sinners to absolve
themselves. That in itself is a wry statement, but the reader
is also led to question whether The Marquis even possesses
such a gift. Is he crazy? Can he see these things? Why?
The mask metaphor extends to the other two major characters
in the Danse Macabre: Herzoge the General, and Grand Inquisitor
Morsea. Herzoge is obliged by duty to play the role of a "good
soldier", even though he knows that morality and truth
are often obscured by religious fanaticism. And Morsea is
as chillingly hypocritical as he uses the pursuit of his own
dogma to justify torture.
While several of these precepts may sound familiar to those
familiar with the history of Europe and the Inquisition, Davis
has freed himself from certain constraints by shuttling his
narrative off into his own 18th Century creation, the lands
of Venisalle. Davis's world is simply outstanding. The architecture,
costuming and general environment weigh enormously in the
success of the story. Davis's talent here lies in taking the
known and ratcheting it just enough for a dreamlike quality
to blend in. It's a fascinating setting.
Davis's story provides the audience with very few easy answers.
While he does address the question of The Marquis's mission
in mind-blowing sequence that also allows red to creep into
the palette, he still has miles of potential directions to
take the character. This first taste of the world of The Marquis
has certainly left me wanting more. There will be no need
for guilt and contrition when you realize you want more, too.
Troy
Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. Kubrick
had a "confessional"-style scene in "Eye Wide
Shut", but I think you'll agree that Davis smokes it.
Email Troy at psikotyk@aol.com.
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