Harry Situation Reviews: Erma

For this review I'm doing something much different. Instead of a movie or television series, this review is about a ongoing web comic series. 

Before we start this review does anyone remember the horror film The Ring? Now imagine if another film (not the one coming next year) was made and some guy found the cursed video tape and started watching it. Next thing you know the creepy ghost lady Samara crawls out of the screen and makes her way towards the guy. The guy remains in a state of panic when Samara comes face to face. Just as the ghost is about to suck out his life force the guy says, "Hey, you know what? You're actually kinda cute."

Samara then blushes from the comment and the pair hit it off from there. Next thing you know they talk about their likes and dislikes, go on a few dates, share their feelings, get married, go on a honeymoon, and then...well...bow-chicka-bow-wow. Then several years later the unusual, happy couple are living together in the suburbs raising their daughter named Erma. And now we have a comic series!

Erma is a web comic strip series created by Brandon Santiago that centers around the titular half-human half-ghost child and her supernatural life in a small suburban town. Like any child, she goes to school, hangs with friends, and loves fun. The only catch is of course Erma isn't quite normal and she turns everyone's lives upside with her paranormal abilities. 

This is by far one of the best comic strips I've ever read in a while. Erma is one of the most adorable characters I've read about. I love reading about her life and how some people are weirded out by her powers. The rest of the characters are just as likable too. We have her mentioned parents, who make the most lovable couple ever. Then we have her school friends Terry, Amy, and Connor, who all adore her paranormal powers, and there's Erma's favorite babysitter Felicia, who knows how to handle Erma's supernatural antics.

The artwork is incredible. There's so much attention to detail that it's mind-blowing. I love the expressions people give in the comic whenever Erma does something freaky. Their drawn faces and reactions are just priceless. Even Erma's expressions are entertaining. While she doesn't talk throughout the series, Brandon found a way to let her mood and thoughts let the readers know what she's saying, and this method is brilliant. Also it's nice to spot some cameos and easter eggs of classic horror movies in each comic strip.

Not only does Brandon Santiago have a talent for artwork, but also a talent for writing incredible and compelling stories. Each comic leaves me wanting more every week, and I haven't read any comic that's always left me waiting for anticipation not since New 52's Batman Death of the Family comics. Yes, I like the New 52 Batman comics. Not all the stories in DC's New 52 is shit. Ever read New 52 Aquaman or Flash? 

He also knows when to have every heartfelt moments too. I won't give any major stories away but I'll say that when things got heavy and emotional, it really, really got heavy and emotional.

What else can I say about Erma other than I highly recommend that these comic strips should be read. There's honestly nothing negative about this series as well, it's pure entertainment gold. However the series does leave me with some burning questions. For example, will Erma ever talk? How old is Erma? What's Erma's last name? What are her parents' names? And most importantly, what's the story of how her parents met? 

Brandon Santiago, if you're is reading this right now I want to thank you so much for creating such an amazing series. And thank you so much for being a big inspiration to me as well as many others. It's because of Erma that I was able to write my Sins of the Father short stories here on Prose.com. I wish you luck in a very long and successful career.

Here's what I have for my grading scale!

                         Positives:                                   Negatives:

                         -Artwork                                  -No negatives

                         -Writing

                         -Characters

                         -Incredible stories

                         -Good humor

                         -Absolutely fun read

Positives definitely outweigh the negatives (not that there were any) so that leaves Erma's final grade: A+

Please take the time and check out the series for yourselves. I guarantee that you won't regret it! Hell, just reading these strips makes me want to go see the new Ring movie coming soon. So that's my first review of a comic strip. Please be kind, leave a like and comment, and be sure to check out more Harry Situation Reviews later on!

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