Review:

Note-
This webcomic is somewhat different in design and aims. Supernatural Law is a long running printed comic book that has also been collected in several trade paperbacks. Now some print comics have moved exclusively to the web, but Supernatural Law has gone to the web to further promote itself and add additional content to other fans. The printed comics will continue being made and new additional stories will be made on the web. I’ve heard about a lot of various comics preferring one form of delivery over another, like web vs. printed, but I have to say this is the best idea I’ve seen yet on the matter. The obvious downside is that is a lot of work, but if you’re doing it for a living then maybe it’s not. For an interview about Supernatural Law going to the web, go to:
http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=004568

Pros-
The art on this bit is very polished and very professional. The creator brings a skill to this comic that only experience can accomplish. The line work, the inking, the coloring is all very well done. A lot the print comics are only in black and white due to the costs of color printing and since it’s free to do color on the net that’s an added bonus for the webcomic.

On the writing it’s fairly interesting to see real world court cases and law issues be intertwined with old familiar horror characters and plots. Some of it is done in parody, but some of it seems to be done more in as serious commentary or observation of our world. But even in observation does it feel dry or like someone is preaching their viewpoint. Saying that though you do get an idea of the creator’s political leaning from reading these stories. Regardless, the creator makes a solid story that seems to flow well. Mind you he leans more toward traditional sequential storytelling and I’m used to that, so it flows just fine by me.

Cons-
The only real objections I had about this are from a popular commercial standpoint. While the art is well crafted, the style is a bit dated compared to the art of a lot webcomics out there. With most webcomics having a dynamic, more anime/manga, style to their art Supernatural Law’s art seems to lack energy next to newer webcomics. Looking at some of the art I can’t but help think “Archie and Veronica”.

On the writing, while the humor is fine, a lot of it is puns and other jokes that could be called “kneeslapers” (and I don’t mean that in a good way). Here’s an example of one of the jokes in the comic.

Desmond – Do you have trouble with billables?
Mavis - Unfortunately, Desmon, I have to Haunt some of the clients myself!

Groan. It’s technically funny, but it’s a weak joke and the book is littered with such jokes. Even the situation humor in the comic feels like typical sitcom humor. I’m sure such humor is cute and old school sort of way, but it wears thin on me. I guess I expect more from the creator who’s been doing this comic for so long.

Final Verdict-
I’d suggest this to comic to everyone, but I’d push it more on older people who’d more than likely enjoy it more (like say my Mom, who likes to watch Buffy and Angel). I could be wrong that Supernatural Law wouldn’t appeal to younger readers, but considering the average age of comic readers is noticeably higher than webcomic readers, I’m willing to stick with my hunch for the moment. On a plus side, Supernatural Law does have the power of Joey Manley and http://www.webcomicsnation.com/ behind it.

Third Review
SuperNatural Law -

Art - Batton Lash has been doing Supernatural Law/ AKA Wolff and Byrd Counselors of the Macabre for over 20 years and is just recently expanding his press franchise on to the web.
His art is very old school and I would compare him somewhat to Will Eisner in style and story telling.

Lash has adapted his newspaper style work for the internet, adding color and using a one panel format that gives him more freedom. The colors are flat but appropriate for his line work, personally I think the B&W stuff, I own several of his printed collections, is masterful and prefer that but I understand the change.

Writing - The catchphrase for Supernatural Law reads " Beware the Undead, They have Lawyers!" SL mixes tounge-in-cheek humor with the law process. Wolff and Byrd play it very straight among their over the top clientel, Frankenstien going through a divorce and a murdered woman suing her husband over her murder.

Personally I think the humor is clever, and I chuckle despite the cheesiness. Things are kept light, and some of the minor characters are more interesting than the counselors themselves, Mavis the "World's Greatest Secretary" is more popular than either Wolff or Byrd.

Overall - While the humor may not be for everyone, this is a comic to look out for. Batton Lash is a pro and it's really nice to see someone of his caliber sailing the sea of subpar work on the internet.

-wrong

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