REVIEW: ‘Nomen Omen,’ Issue #8

Nomen Omen #8 is published by Image Comics, is written by Marco B. Bucci, with art and colors by Jacopo Camagni, and lettering by Fabio Amelia. Nomen Omen tells the story of Becky Kumar. A young woman brought into the world under strange conditions. It should be noted that this series is graphic and intended for a mature audience.

Previously, in issue #7, Becky sought refuge with Lady Macbeth to her trouble state and said goodbye to her former life. Meanwhile, Taranis was abducting children from their beds, and offering them up to his timeless lover, Medea. The two demonic figures scheme for events yet to unfold, which will surely spell heartache for Becky and all of New York.

Now in Nomen Omen #8, Becky begins her journey into truly learning how to harness her power and full potential as a witch. Under the guidance of Lady Macbeth, Becky has been given a sanctuary, a place to study, and focus. Before deep learning can begin though, the young witch must find her starting point, the central idea on how to conjure her magic. The issue pushes time ahead, a montage of learning, and research, as Becky becomes a student to the mystical arts. Meanwhile, the men in Becky’s life are faring worse than ever. Fer is being held captive by Medea and forced to reveal his true self. Concurrently, however, Patrick is being held in the space between realities and suffering torturous abuse at the hands of King Taranis.

Bucci has engineered a story within issue #8 that exudes a stressful level of tension simply by adding the passing of time. The author accomplishes this by blending the perspectives of Patrick and Fer’s suffering into the montage of Becky’s grasping at her magical enlightenment. For the majority of the issue, she is constantly on the fringes of discovering what her starting point is, and it’s a delightful plot that Bucci really investigates further. Becky is powerful, but uneducated in the realm of magical abilities, and in issue #8 she puts in the time, and the work, to become who she needs to be.

Camagni’s work continues to be utterly sublime, as they continue to create these really evocative images. I’ve discussed it before but the restraint to not utilize too many colors provides this riveting contrast when there is the smallest splash of color on the page as it leaps from the page. Some of the most beautiful work in this issue exists in the space between realities, like shades of blue, pink, and purple blend together to create this cosmic atmosphere. It has a sense of tangibility as if this space really exists just out the space of our own reality.

Amelia delivers some great lettering, especially when it comes to the dialogue of Becky. Each cohesive thought is separated from the next as if to create a pause in Becky’s pattern of thinking, but it is also distanced on the page forcing the reader to stop between speech and it generates the pace intended by Bucci.

Overall this was a very creative issue, and the plot begins to thicken as both parties regroup, and recharge. Given a majority of the prior issues have been so well marinated in chaotic energy, Bucci has deliberately slowed the story down, in order to build that tension back up again for the coming issues. A fantastic issue, and visually stunning work from Camagni. A really diverse story that’s sure to spice up your comic haul!

Nomen Omen #8 is available in stores now.