Muktuk Wolfsbreath, Hard Boiled Shaman: The Spirit of Boo: A Graphic Novel by Terry LaBan

Let me happily add another 5 stars to these reviews of a unique comics character & concept. On the face of it, melding the world of the noir PI & the world of Siberian shamanism is a highly unlikely concept at best, and a potential disaster at worst … but creator Terry Laban not only makes it work, he does so effortlessly, so much so that it seems the most natural & enjoyable thing in the world. As previous reviewers have noted, he's done his homework on shamanism, and it shows. But even more than just getting the facts right, he gets the overall feeling right. It's not some academic, by-the-numbers story about a shaman, it has the heart & mystery to make it convincing on a visceral level. And the overlay of the private eye, right down to the gritty, streetwise -- or is that tundra-wise? --voiceover narration, fits perfectly. The result is an engaging, spooky, vastly entertaining tale that brings the reader right into it. And that's no mean feat! With superhero comics having long since been reduced to rehashing the same plots over & over again, often with far too much alleged "edginess" added to the tired mix, it's a pleasure to have someone as different & just plain fun as Muktuk Wolfsbreath, Hardboiled Shaman, on the case. May there be more to come in the very near future!

This collects Laban's original Muktuk comics from Cud and his recent web comic storyline, but not the Muktuk stories from the Vertigo series. They maintain his eclectic mix of nomadic cultures, shamanic tales, and hard boiled detective noir into an absurd but gripping narrative which has a comfortable rhythm and voice, a mix of humor and compelling story that drew me in. I was glad to see Laban revive this character from his scattered appearances and get him back on his feet with a real story that goes beyond being just a gag and becomes something truly enjoyable.

This was one of the best things I've read lately. After all, what's not to love about a shaman/detective who happens to live in Siberia, solving mysteries by ingesting amanitas, drumming then entering a trance. I hope that one day, LaBan writes more stories about Muktuk.

Really enjoyed this. Wish there was more from this character!

I wish I could remember the sequence of events and internet links that led me to Terry LaBan's webcomic, "Muktuk Wolfsbreath: Hard-boiled Shaman," because I'd love to send thank-you notes. Muktuk turned out to be my favorite webcomic of 2011, as it deftly blended disparate genres into a cohesive, engaging and suspenseful story that rewards re-reading. While there's a complex, layered mystery at the heart of the story, what really lured me to the webcomic is my weakness for anything of a "shamanic" flavor. Still, I was surprised and delighted by the amount of research LaBan invested in this story. Small, seemingly throw-away details add a richness to Muktuk's actions as the story unfolds, even as the protagonist ventures beyond the physical world to confront long-time adversaries and to seek the help of great and powerful spirits in his efforts to heal a dying child, make peace with his own past and secure the resources he needs to survive the winter. And that's what makes the story so compelling: The reader empathizes with Muktuk's vulnerability and humanity because LaBan juggles the physical, metaphysical and ethical facets of Muktuk's character without dropping a single detail. So don't be fooled by LaBan's "cartoony" style. There are adult themes that thread through the tale (after all, it wouldn't be a hard-boiled detective story without a femme fatale [or two]), and LaBan addresses those elements in his work, though it isn't of the in-your-face or too-graphic variety. With some minimalist line work and judicious spot color, LaBan capably conjures the sometimes bleak Siberian tiaga and its many inhabitants (both human and nonhuman), and he includes just enough details to make the time and place--including its otherworldly elements and the driving interpersonal conflicts--thoroughly believable. So much so that I tried to track down Muktuk's earlier adventures (which, beyond the DC Comics/Vertigo limited series, are almost impossible to locate). For other completists out there, take heart: LaBan collected the first three, long-out-of-print adventures and added them to this collection. The original stories share many of the themes and plot elements explored in the 2011 version, but their inclusion here allows the reader an opportunity to see how a creator refines his vision AND his craft over time. They are well worth the read. And, on an even geekier note, can I tell you how much I love the cover of this collection and admire LaBan's abilities? From the seductress in the smoke to Muktuk's earnest and determined expression, LaBan's composition and style perfectly evokes the tone to carry the reader into and through "The Spirit of Boo." Bravo! If you're into solid, hard-boiled mysteries with occult elements and a dash of anthropological scholarship, you'll love this book. If you're interested in seeing how a webcomic translates to the print medium, you'll be intrigued by this book. And if you're a fan of smart comics, this book clearly signals that LaBan has raised the bar. Enjoy!

"Muktuk Wolfsbreath: Hard Boiled Shaman" was a happy surprise discovered online. When the "The Spirit of Boo" ended last year I waited eagerly for the hard copy book to be released. My patience was reward when I learned that Terry LaBan's earlier shaman stories were also included! SNAP!!! went my purchase! The story is intriguing: Muktuk Wolfsbreath, a Siberian shaman, is called in to help a stricken boy. But it's a twisted case of deceit and evil with more than lives are at risk! You don't have to be a cultural anthropologist to understand what's going on. Exotic elements are handled so they're made self-evident or put in modern context, like Muktuk's magical GPS. There's a beautiful damsel in distress, ghost, zombie, evil sorcerer, and smart-aleck animals, so pick your passion! A word of caution: this book isn't for kids. There are acts of procreation and some of the nastier aspects of death. The main story's artwork is just right for the story and its pacing. Too complicated would slow the reader down, too simple wouldn't do justice to the richness of the story. Two different colors are used besides the black and white to make very effective shading and to emphasize the transition between worlds in one case. In the earlier stories the artwork is not color shaded and reminds me of the work of Robert Crumb.

This is the collected three-issue mini series of Muktuk Wolfsbreath: Hard-boiled Shaman from DC/Vertigo. Muktuk is a Siberian shaman that walks the worlds to protect his people. Indeed, he comes across as a combination of a classic shaman and film noir detective in his efforts to uncover the supernatural causes of people's problems. He does this with the help of Weasel- his spirit guide/wisecracking sidekick. The writer really did his research on the nature of classical shamanism in this remarkable series. Everything from spirit guides, riding the drum, power songs, dreams, the World Tree, enemy ghosts, the Great mother, crossing over into the Land of the Dead to rescue a spirit, etc.- there is a wealth of authentic detail woven into the story line. The art work also shares this same strong sense of authenticity. And of course you get the sense that however useful and helpful a shaman might be- they are always outsiders and they make people nervous while they are around. At the end of the day, the people are always relieved to see them ride into the sunset on their reindeer sleigh. This even applies to other shamans....