Scumbase

After an unintended three week absence explained by illness, computer hard drive and power supply problems and visitors, in that order .. Flipping Pages is back with a look at a long-standing webcomic.   The Becoming, a gothic steampunk story written by J. Alan Shelton and illustrated by Douang Khamsitthisack,  has run since February 2010 with a somewhat mixed bag of release days. Sometimes three times per week, sometimes two and currently Mondays, there is a lot of back story to get through.

The Becoming is the story of a young orphan named Oscar LeBeau who becomes the ward and apprentice of the woman who made him that way: Jeannine Delacroix, a Disciple of the Church of Bellac. The two find their fates entwined as they weather the political and religious climate of Bellac, ultimately defining the distinct roles they each will come to play in the world’s ultimate salvation – or destruction.

In Chapter one, we are introduced to a number of characters, quite a few who are involved in what appears to be a very corrupt church seizing control of Bellac.  Most of these characters are inter-related in some manner, so you may wish to take notes, since the author provides only a breakout for Chapter One.

We are advised that each chapter of the story can be thought of as akin to a season of television. It may have its own story arc and characters, but will still be drive the story forward. At this point in time, they are still in the midst of Chapter Four, but I see on Douang's Deviant Art page that the cover page for Chapter Six is complete .. so there will be plenty of story to come.

If you like full blown stories of intrigue and mystery, full of well rounded characters, excellent writing and superb art ... give The Becoming a whirl.