Looking at my massive list of comics to review, it wasn’t hard to pick the one I wanted to spotlight first. One I look forward to every week. One I relate to a lot.
Engelbaum is by Lynne Triplett (who has been one of my favorite artists since I really got into the internet many years ago) and Niyazi Somnez. It’s kind of rare that I’ve known an artist online that long because most I know have a tendency to disappear without a word.
What did I do, guys??? COME BACK
Wait. Let’s — let’s not get into that.
Engelbaum has its roots in NiGHTS Into Dreams, which was pretty much the definitive game for Sega Saturn. While not much of the fanfiction “Windows To A Haunted Mind” was released, much of the world building elements were, and a fairly large community developed from people who were fascinated by and wanted to be a part of this world. It was fun for a while, then major drama happened, as is endemic in large fanbases.
OK, look 2002 self. Vagueblogging is not a term yet in your time, be we need to talk.
Anyway, the community pretty much dispersed for a while. A couple years later, Lynne revived her story as an original piece, and more recently has revised it as a webcomic. So what is it all about?
Well – this is what makes this review a little – trippy for me.
2016 self, this is your 2030 self. That show ended four years ago and that is not remotely funny.
A lot of the lore has changed, and I’m not sure what has and hasn’t, so I’ll stick strictly with what’s in the comic. The story thus far is focused on Imagni, a being with the power to bring her imagination to life. Set on an infinite canvas universe, she is tasked with one directive – creation. Lynne has said that this story is meant to be relatable to artists, and it shows. Both by more abstract scenes –
– and QUITE literal ones.
Lynne’s artwork is top-notch as always, especially her sense of light and atmosphere. The visuals alone are worth giving this comic a try for, but I would definitely stick around for the story as well as the creators promise it will be epic in nature. If you’re curious about the wider scope of the story and what drew so many people to it in the first place, many of the worldbuilding elements have been posted on her main and social media sites. I know I’m kind of biased because I’ve been following this story for so long, but I’m not just here for a nostalgia trip, believe me.
PLEASE BELIEVE ME.
Engelbaum
Main Site / Tumblr
Medium: Webcomic
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: PG-13 thus far, but there is a lot of adults-only side material so this is subject to change.
Updates: Fridays (usually)
