ObeahShine Holy War
by Philip Culmer
Obeah Shine Holy War is a limited graphic novel series spanning five issues, each approximately 140 pages and rendered in black and white. The inaugural issue is complete, and production of the final four is underway, with completion projected for March or April 2025. This Supernatural Magic/Action Fantasy comic series begins in the aftermath of a global satanic panic. Agents from the commonwealth travel the region, fighting against the world’s most corrupt powers and grappling with the internal struggle between good and evil, armed with the light magic of obeah. Central to the narrative is the Caribbean faction’s confrontation with the malevolent supernatural entities known as Null.The story unfolds as a fantasy horror anthology with three interwoven chapters that explore various god-like and monstrous beings based on Caribbean mythology. Their cosmic war upends the lives of humble islanders in the mystical Caribbean.Our villains are supernatural hybrids summoned by occultists, corrupt politicians, government officials, and scientists engaged in genetic engineering, witchcraft, and ritual sacrifices.Target Audience: This series is geared towards teenagers and young adults who enjoy action fantasies and the supernatural, particularly self-contained stories and supernatural espionage. Think Twilight Zone meets Japanese shonen anime, with sprinkles of the animated series Final Space and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.Philip Culmer(Writer and Producer)An Afro-Bahamian writer with a deep understanding of Caribbean history and supernatural fantasy. I have written for numerous local newspapers and participated in several entry-level competitions throughout the islands of the Bahamas. You can visit my profile here: https://x.com/ULTRAmanixThemes & Core Concepts: Spiritual manifestations and facing the darkness and trauma induced by supernatural forces are pivotal, highlighting the need to either improve one’s life or be destroyed by these forces. The Rising Fall: Our characters must confront their unique inner turmoil, whether it’s dealing with the death of a loved one, overcoming bullying at school, or fulfilling the need to be a source of friendship and support.Issue 1, The Fugitive from Asterorilla: In this thrilling indie main feature comic, Terrence T. Knowles, a down-on-his-luck musician, finds his life in chaos after encountering an extraterrestrial. He must process the grief of losing his grandmother while being thrust into a cosmic battle of "end of days" proportions. Issue 2, Insomya: The Creature that Cannot Sleep: Darius, a timid young student, must confront the embodiment of insomnia, learning to stand up for himself and calm the soul of an emotionally unstable ghost.Issue 3, Night Wolves from Abaco: An island is turned upside down when a group of poachers begin searching for a pair of werewolves. Demetri, a young werewolf and mysterious new exchange student, finds himself targeted by these high-tech monster hunters. Despite warnings from his father, Demetri, with the aid of his human friend, a local farmer, bravely confronts the poachers.Issue 4, Fugitive II: Primordial Chaos: In this gripping sequel to the first issue, Terry Knowles, now in a rehab center for drug addiction, teams up with an agent named Jannah. Together, they confront the extraterrestrial Zopamaine, allied with Lucifer, the king of hell. Their mission is to prevent the duo from terraforming the Caribbean region in a bid to resurrect Zopamaine's homeworld, Asterorilla. This epic adventure brings Terrence's journey of supernatural discovery to a thrilling resolution.Issue 5, Sins of Holy: This prequel doubles as an epilogue, setting the stage amidst the satanic panic of the 1980s. Former Catholic priest Oliver Dalton, alongside his agent partner Andrew and a Catholic nun named Amelia, uncovers a deep-seated supernatural conspiracy sprawling across the Caribbean. Morals/ThemeThe series centers on the need to confront and master the darkness and trauma left behind by supernatural forces, illustrating the need to either grow into the light or become engulfed by the darkness. Themes of family, redemption from addiction, depression, and sorrow emphasize the importance of recognizing and learning from one’s flaws. The original title of the comic aimed to reflect the ability to shine brightly despite prevailing darkness, a theme that Obeah Shine powerfully conveys throughout its narrative.
