“The 100 Handed” audio drama is an urban fantasy with Southern roots. It follows two agents (a mage and a werewolf) of a mysterious organization (the Madhouse) meant to keep magical beings in check, even if it means coloring outside the lines of human law.
What starts as an ordinary mission reigning in rogue mages (season 1) appears to uncover a larger scale threat (season 2) involving the harnessing of a dark force known as the Gloom, which the Madhouse works to keep at bay. I’ll have to listen on to find out more.
For me there’s aspects that still appear enigmatic by the end of season 1 (what is the Gloom? What is that repeated phrase about howling at the moon?). But it’s clear that a tremendous amount of development has gone into the characters (the interwoven bonus episodes show their time at academy, also their past) and the world. If you like a sense of having to get up to speed in an already realized world that isn’t waiting, The 100 Handed may just be for you.
It took me a bit to get into the characters. But their quirks started to win me over such as V’s far too visceral language. And I liked the slow reveal of the extent of Evan’s colorful tattoos and his scarring. As well as the past history he may not remember.
And as I continued to listen I met some highly original characters such as the m the arch mage spell creator with his ancient, watery, garbled voice. He is emotionless by nature, surgical in approach, but also unintentionally funny in his senior citizen personality.
Overall, I think The 100 Handed has a good deal going for it that crept up on me in the nicest of ways. Weep at the wonder, howl at the moon!
