WOLF'S HEAD Reviews

What Critics Are Saying

Midwest Book Review on WOLF’S HEAD Volumes 1 and 2: This new and original, full color, deftly scripted, impressively illustrated comic book series is a fully engaging, page-turner of a read and would prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal reading lists and community library collections.

David Beard, Writing Studies BA Program Coordinator, Director of Master of Professional Studies Program, Professor of Rhetoric, International Journal of Comic Art on WOLF’S HEAD BOOK 1 — WE ALL WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD: “In a longer work like WOLF’S HEAD, the interplay between the fantastic dimensions of his stories and the tiny details of life in his art are what makes his voice unique in contemporary comics. WOLF’S HEAD is at its best in the small things — Lauren’s search for meaning after leaving the force, her reunion with her mother. The story of the self-aware machine is the tiny twist that helps bring Von Allan’s gift for bringing the everyday into view.”

Philippe Leblanc, The Beat on WOLF’S HEAD Volumes 1 and 2: “Ultimately, this comic has a strong enough hook that it makes me want to revisit it and see more of it… Once it’s passed, WOLF’S HEAD becomes an interesting thriller about a flawed character’s redemption, her personal issues and a mild revenge story and the danger of trying to control forces we don’t understand. I was disappointed when I finished the second issue of WOLF’S HEAD. Disappointed in a good way as I didn’t have more to read at that point.”

Frank Plowright's Reviews

Frank Plowright over at the legendary site The Slings & Arrows Graphic Novel Guide has been lovely enough to review a lot of my work now, something I am deeply grateful for. Excerpts and links to his reviews are as follows:

WOLF’S HEAD BOOK 1 (HARDCOVER) — WE ALL WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD:“By the end the ‘We All Want to Change the World’ title has taken on a different meaning, and over an enjoyable 160 or so pages Allan has supplied a drama to lose yourself in, and set up a lot of potential going forward. In an age of effects wizardry being cheap, TV production companies could do far worse than look in his direction.”

WOLF’S HEAD Volume 1: “Allan never takes the easy route of telling his story via head and shoulders drawings without backgrounds. Full figures are the choice, and plenty of them packed into small panels… It’s only toward the end that a full accounting of what’s actually happening is supplied. It’s creative and raises ethical questions… This is a fine opening volume presenting an engaging cast living interesting lives, and that continues in Vol. 2.”

WOLF’S HEAD Volume 2: “Despite Von Allan filtering in both SF and action thriller plots, the appeal of Wolf’s Head is the cast, strongly characterised with everyone’s motivations clear. Lauren remains central, with the opening pages suggesting we don’t know her as well as we thought, but caring and willing to take whatever action is necessary.”

WOLF’S HEAD Volume 3: “There are fantastical elements to Wolf’s Head, but creator Von Allan’s greater interest is in Lauren as a person and what she’s going through. He delivers a fine portrait of someone refusing to cave under pressure, but there’s little respite for her as the problems keep piling up… For all the focus on Lauren’s experiences, a crime story with an SF intrusion has been running since the first volume, and Allan brings that to a head here very effectively, avoiding the obvious paths a revenge story might take.”

WOLF’S HEAD Volume 4: “Events came to a head in Vol. 3 (or We All Want to Change the World if you bought the hardback version), but Lauren’s smart enough to know the people she dealt with aren’t the types to let things lie. Muscle for hire Frank McRossitor is especially able to hold a grudge, and Lauren believes it best she remain away from regular haunts… Lauren still has a lot going on, and the maguffin of Machine means events could head pretty well anywhere, so head to Vol. 5 with confidence.”

WOLF’S HEAD Volume 5: “Wolf’s Head continues to be a well drawn and plotted series with the emphasis on personalities. We’ve only just met Super Bob, seen on the cover, but the way Allan defines him means he’s understandable from the start… Wolf’s Head continues to be unpredictable and compelling, and new circumstances kick off Vol. 6.”

WOLF’S HEAD Volume 6: “The tone has shifted from crime drama to something possibly supernatural, although readers may suspect that despite the way things look, there’s a more ordinary Scooby-Doo-style explanation. We’ll see. Either way, despite jettisoning the entire supporting cast to date Allan ensures Lauren is strong enough to carry the story… In his comments Allan mentions how his career to date has been one of consistent struggle, which is a great shame for someone both talented and persistent in producing a consistently entertaining drama. Try Wolf’s Head and become captivated.”

What Readers Are Saying

Mike Levin (Goodreads): “WOLF’S HEAD [volume] 1 took about four pages to draw me into the narrative swirling around Lauren and her mom… Overall a great introduction to what I hope is a long series.”

WordMechanic (Goodreads): “I loved reading this book and recommend you try it out… It’s a fascinating fusion of our society’s potential and problems wrapped up in an exciting, sci-fi flavored adventure.”