Webcomic Wonder: INTS: Black Gate

Subject: INTS: Black Gate

Who makes this?
Eleanor Gluck (aka "Spelledeg")



What does the creator say about their comic?
(from the comic's "About" page)
"If military means greatness, that's the best path to take in life, right? That's what Ryae believed when she enlisted for The Royal Atrum Academy of Defense. Unfortunately for her, it means she's signed fifty years of her life away to the service of the Crown. She's stuck in a contract she signed up for but no longer wants. Between her unwanted contract and the war that rages 7 sectors below, she's in for the ride of her life.

Black Gate is a sci-fi/fantasy 'coming of age' comic with drama overtones. It deals in relationships and culture clash. Rating is PG - PG13. While there is very little strong language, some of the content isn't suitable for younger audiances. Black Gate has war themes and they aren't minimized. There is 'onscreen' death among other violent themes that do occur in this comic."

I find there is very little more I could say by way of introduction.  As usual, we're not going to go into some "rating" system, but let's see what's in the various Sectors.

Art:
The art on INTS: Black Gate is done in a very expressive, dynamic style.  Eleanor is a whiz with the
lighting and it is rarely unclear what is going on.  She does a good job of bringing to life the details of a world very unlike Earth.

Characters:
INTS: Black Gate gives its readers a very tricky task in the character department: to remain sympathetic to a character that is, to put it simply, a bit horrific.  Thankfully, Ryae is lovingly horrific.  And there are other characters around who are much easier to like.  And they are all distinct.  It's actually very easy to find a favorite (and yes, it just might be Ryae).


The Writey Bits:
The plot is intriguing and the interplay of the characters (informed by the distinctive point-of-view each character brings) is absolutely stellar.  The reader finds themselves wanting to know the next bit now now now.

There is one small problem I have found, and that is a relative lack of information about this very alien world serving as the backdrop to the intrigues and action.  This is a comic that could very well use more in-your-face info, perhaps even a wiki.

This was not a deal breaker for me, but it could be for a less patient reader.


Update Schedule:
INTS: Black Gate updates very Friday.  Some updates get missed, but over all Ms. Gluck keeps her schedule.


The Verdict:
If you are looking for an obviously carefully laid out science-fiction world, well-represented characters, a long-form story carefully unfolded, and pleasing art, but aren't afraid to occasionally be perhaps a bit bewildered, look no further.  INTS: Black Gate, despite a few flaws, is an entertaining read and well worth adding to your list.