Writer David Barbour
Artist/Creator Joe Vigil

Review by Larry Stanley

Lords of Oblivion is the latest offering from long-time artist Joe Vigil (Dog, Gunfighters in Hell, Sinbuck) and is possibly one of the most important books in the Central Valley History of Comics.
The story opens with an army attacking a citadel in some far off, distant land. Or time. Or both; only the Oracle knows for sure and she ain't telling. We have to of the lands greatest minds awaiting an audience with that same Oracle, Professor Mokata, a one eyed, skull faced, dirty old man and Professor Stensgard a nubile beauty wearing a vale.
Neither is what the other expected, but they are going to be working together.
Soon we are introduced to four other members of our story, all ancient legends or mythological characters in this world and all deadly.
Using many of the trappings of older movies, Joe weaves an opening for what looks like a major story line, but at this point it is simply confusing about what is actually happening. Are the Oracles people the good guys or the bad guys? Are they on earth in our distant past or our far future?
This seems a bit different from some of Joe's previous work, where he always seems to lay out the story in the first installment and you are pretty sure of what is going to happen.
Here we are left to our own devices, and that makes for a pretty interesting situation. We can think of a lot of things that could happen, and some that probably will. But no matter what happens, we still have a Joe Vigil book to enjoy.
Joe's art style is still amazing, his use of detail alone could sell a book. Add in some enigmatic characters and you are left with a book that outshines just about anything else on the shelf.
The biggest thing I have a question about in the first issue is the insanity quote. Joe wrote the definition of insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting the same result.
The original quote reads: "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I don't know if Joe simply make a mistake, or intentionally set out to misquote Albert Einstein. And if that is my biggest problem I think I can learn to live with the book.
Addendum…. After talking with Joe, we think that David simply misquoted the saying on purpose to demonstrate Mokata's personality. So, that clears that up.
Now, I said that this book is important. Why? Well it was published by Wild Angels Publishing. Joe Vigil's new publishing company. He is able to print Comic books now for not only himself, but for just about anyone else out in the world as well.
And the books look very good if the two I have are any example. High quality paper, clear images, and he can print in both black and white and Four color.
For more information, just click on www.wildangelspublishing.com and check out the site.