I think it's Eisner Nomination time for Thomas Mauer. I've been astounded by the magic symbolettering in previous issues, and here it's the subtlety of the letters fading out, and then back in as Rascal is transported to the Umbral. Read Full Review

This is probably sounding negative, but don't be fooled. "Umbral" is a book you should be reading. Johnston's a first class writer, and Mitten's work is far better than average. It's worth going through the book a second time just to marvel at his skill at making your eye look exactly where he wants it to go. It's a very different style, but this is some Alex Toth worth work on some pages. Read Full Review

Umbral‘s second arc gets off to a terrific start as though it's still some work to match the first it's teasing some enticing developments. Recommended. Read Full Review

"Umbral" is relentlessly interesting, even if issue #7 isn't one of its strongest installments. I can't wait to see how the numerous hints, prophecies and subplots will develop in the second arc. Read Full Review

Umbral #7 is a rather lackluster way to get this new arc started and remains plagued by some problems I have had with previous issues. It's rather slow and unexciting besides some minor hints being tossed around and the transitions between scenes feel abrupt. It continues, though, with underdeveloped characters and feeling ultimately hard to get into. This is a series that has a lot of good ideas and potential, but it still needs a lot more work done. Hopefully things will be looking up as this new arc continues on. Read Full Review

In the end, the content of this issue isn't why I fell in love with Umbral, and I definitely don't recommend it as a starting point. However, there is also absolutely nothing in it that makes me want to drop it entirely. I've had far too good an experience with this title to so quickly put it down. It's just that, in a story about a hazardous travel, this is very middle-of-the-road. Read Full Review