Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls is a series of fictional stories created by artist Ryan Murphy. This series revolves around the character Onyx the Fortuitous, a self-proclaimed expert in the supernatural. Onyx is a unique character who has a deep fascination with the occult and all things supernatural. He is often seen wearing a black cloak and a top hat, which adds to his mysterious persona. Onyx prides himself on being knowledgeable about all things paranormal and often offers his services as a "consulting occultist" to people in need. One of the most captivating aspects of the Onyx the Fortuitous series is the intricate and detailed artwork created by Ryan Murphy.
“Even if you said, ‘What’s your favorite movie?’ ‘ Pumpkinhead. I don’t know.’”
PARK CITY, UTAH JANUARY 22 L R Clark Baker, Barbara Crampton, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Andrew Bowser, Melanie Chandra, Rivkah Reyes, Arden Myrin, and Michael Mobley attend 2023 Sundance Film Festival Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls premiere at Egyptian Theatre on January 22, 2023, in Park City, Utah. Carson , a professor of mysticism, who salivates at the sight of a book known as The Grand Grimoire All the unholy knowledge in the world, he says, bound in the skin of a fallen angel.
One of the most captivating aspects of the Onyx the Fortuitous series is the intricate and detailed artwork created by Ryan Murphy. Murphy's illustrations bring the characters and the stories to life, adding depth and visual appeal to the tales. His use of color, shading, and intricate details truly enhances the overall reading experience.
Sundance Review: Andrew Bowser’s ‘Onyx The Fortuitous And The Talisman Of Souls’
Genre comedies are a mixed bag, and for every cult gem like 2010’s Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, the Sundance Midnight strand has been known to throw in a bomb or two. In its opening moments, Andrew Bowser’s fourth feature threatens to be such a write-off, with achingly broad comic strokes and jokes that don’t really land as Bowser introduces his leading man: himself. The awkward slapstick tone is reminiscent of very early Peter Jackson—notably his wonky debut, Bad Taste—but once the story gets underway, and other characters join the frame, things become demonstrably better. To such a degree that the style and production values mature faster than Jackson’s did, blossoming into a likable romp reminiscent of the director’s first real studio movie, The Frighteners (1996).
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Bowser plays Marcus J. Trillbury, an amateur occultist who styles himself as the mysterious Onyx The Fortuitous. In reality, he lives at home with his mother and stepfather in a child-like bedroom filled with BATTLRATTS lunchboxes and figurines while making a meagre living as a burger flipper. Despite his avowed interest in the dark arts, Marcus is actually good-hearted sad-sack who desperately craves a change in fortune. Which is why he has his heart is set on winning a kind of Satanist lottery: Marcus’s spooky idol, Bartok the Great (Jeffrey Combs), is to pick five of his followers to join him at his mansion, where they will perform a ritual to summon the ancient god Abaddon.
Against the odds, Marcus is picked to join the group, three women and a guy, and they arrive to find Bartok lying dead on the floor. Their first test is to bring him back to life, which somehow they do, although there is immediately something of the charlatan about this sleazy Anton LaVey lookalike. The new characters immediately bring much-needed gravitas to the project, notably the impressive Mr. Duke (T.C. Carson), a professor of mysticism, who salivates at the sight of a book known as The Grand Grimoire: “All the unholy knowledge in the world,” he says, “bound in the skin of a fallen angel.” Each is then assigned a character type for the ceremony. One is a queen, one a Viking, one a werewolf, and the other a mystic. Somewhat predictably, Marcus is designated the virgin of the quintet.
Though the plot is obviously conceived as vehicle for its writer-director, whose style can be (very) generously described as a Jack Black/Ricky Gervais hybrid, it stands up rather well as a Knives Out-style ensemble piece (a fair comparison is the British old-dark-house comedy The House in Nightmare Park from 1973, which pulled off a similar undertone of the credibly macabre). Here, though, the thrills are supernatural all the way, as Marcus, more by accident than design, stumbles on Bartok’s real plan. Surprisingly, the stakes are actually quite high, and despite an ill-fitting gothic-musical interlude (Meat Loaf crops up a lot), Marcus become unexpectedly easy to root for.
Whether there’s a mainstream audience for this is by the by; Bowser has an internet following that supported the film on Kickstarter, and the casting of horror-circuit staples Combs (star of the Re-Animator movies) and Barbara Crampton (star of everything) suggest he knows exactly which festivals it will be heading to next. It could even be a franchise, if the part of Marcus gets a little polish or possibly a whole new actor, but Peter Jackson needn’t be looking over his shoulder just yet.
Based on Bowser's viral internet character of the same name and in the spirit of films such as Beetlejuice, Pee-wee's Big Adventure and Ernest Scared Stupid, Onyx tells the story of an amateur occultist who learns that sometimes when you raise HELL. you get a little burned.
The Talisman of Souls is a key artifact in the series. It is a mystical object that grants immense power to whoever possesses it. Onyx the Fortuitous finds himself on a quest to obtain the Talisman of Souls, which leads him on various adventures filled with danger and intrigue. The artwork depicting the Talisman of Souls is particularly captivating, with intricate designs and glowing elements that capture the magical essence of the artifact. Murphy's talent as an artist shines through his illustrations of the supernatural creatures and landscapes encountered in the Onyx the Fortuitous series. From grotesque monsters to enchanting mythical beings, Murphy brings these creatures to life with his remarkable artistic skills. In conclusion, Ryan Murphy's artwork in the Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls series adds an extra layer of visual appeal and storytelling to the already captivating tales. His illustrations bring the characters, artifacts, and creatures to life, making the reading experience even more immersive for fans of the series..
Reviews for "The Otherworldly Artistry of Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls"
1. John - 1/5
I was really disappointed with "Onyx the fortuitous and the talisman of souls artists". The artwork was subpar and lacked detail. The characters seemed poorly drawn, with awkward proportions and stiff poses. The color palette was also dull and uninteresting. Overall, I found the art to be unappealing and uninspiring.
2. Sarah - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Onyx the fortuitous and the talisman of souls artists", but I was let down by the lackluster artwork. The illustrations lacked depth and dimension and came off as flat and lifeless. The backgrounds were particularly disappointing, as they lacked the intricate details that could have brought the scenes to life. I found it difficult to connect with the story because the artwork didn't do justice to the characters and their world.
3. David - 2/5
The art in "Onyx the fortuitous and the talisman of souls artists" was simply underwhelming. The style was inconsistent throughout, making it hard to follow the narrative. The proportions of the characters were also off at times, which was distracting. Additionally, the coloring felt rushed and lacked finesse. Overall, it was clear that the artists didn't invest enough time and effort into creating visually captivating illustrations.
4. Emily - 1/5
Honestly, I couldn't stand the artwork in "Onyx the fortuitous and the talisman of souls artists". The character designs were unoriginal and lacked creativity. The illustrations felt like rushed sketches, with sloppy linework and messy coloring. It was difficult to appreciate the story when the art was so unimpressive. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for visually appealing artwork.
5. Mike - 2/5
While the story of "Onyx the fortuitous and the talisman of souls artists" had potential, the artwork fell flat. The illustrations lacked attention to detail and appeared hastily done. The characters didn't have consistent facial features or expressions, which made it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the backgrounds were often bland and uninspiring. Overall, the mediocre artwork detracted from the overall enjoyment of the book.