Every week a slew of books grace the shelves of our local comic shops, some good, some bad and some that simply land in the middle of the road, straddling that meh feeling of indifference. Still, it seems every week has that "gem" that really reminds you why you love comics. Now, it might be a single issue that really was a standout, something that went above and beyond or it could be a graphic novel (be it original or reprint) that was simply a blast to read. That's what this feature represents: A release that has captured our attention. As always, we want to hear what your favorite book of the past week was as well.This week's Best Of is: The Unwritten #5.
The Unwritten #5Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Peter Gross
Company: Vertigo
All things considering, this was a very good week for comics. A lot of standouts, but few come close to reaching the heights that Mike Carey and Peter Gross reached with this issue of The Unwritten. Back with it's first issue, I wasn't quite sure where the book was going to go or if it would quickly find its way and become something that could stand shoulder to shoulder with Lucifer, which in my opinion, is Carey's masterpiece.
By the second issue of the book however, something happened. It surprised me and the story simply got under my skin. Needless to say, after that I was hooked. The story here, one that is sublime and challenging and all together engaging, just works on every possible front in a multitude of ways. The story that started out being a quasi Harry Potter-like entity with elements of Fables meshed in has morphed into another animal entirely, and a world of suspense and conspiracy and magic has been erected.
This issue alone gives us a peak behind the veil, a mere glimpse at the true villains of the story, but interweaves that story with the story of famous author Ruyard Kipling. We see his life from the start of his writing, given the promise of great things, to his ultimate decline and fall. Every word on the page bristles with intelligence and energy. Truly, I've never seen Carey this on.
Peter Gross, who's worked on things like Doctor Strange, Books of Magic, and of course Lucifer, continues to strike fantastic panel after panel. He's always been a stellar artist, but the work here, especially in this issue, is exciting. The subtleties of his work; the fluidity of the movement in the panels and the sheer expressiveness of the characters and the worlds that they find themselves in is amazing. There are a few pages at the end, where Kipling is reading a passage from one of the short stories from Just So Stories for Little Children, that are simply stunning. Seeing that story come to life, with such vividness, is a treat all of its own.
Really, check this title out. The first issue is good, very good even, but it builds on itself with every issue and there are ideas here that we've never even seen before. The Unwritten is unique in that regard and I can think of few books at the moment that are hitting as many high notes.
6 comments:
I've enjoyed the series so far, but I agree that this issue represented a turning point into something even more interesting.
In terms of plot, I'm liking but not loving The Unwritten. Having a hard time with the absence of sympathetic characters thus far. A solid book, no doubt, but lacking in heart, IMHO. I'm still reading it monthly; but remember, it's Vertigo, so there'll be a low-priced trade of the first arc coming soon.
For my book of the week, I'm going with Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #6. Fegredo's art mesmerizes every issue, still Mignola-esque but retaining his own style -- less mannered, or perhaps self-conscious, is the best way I can put it. (And I do love Mignola's art.)
Mignola is killing it, in terms of plot, dialogue, and character. BIG reveals lie herein... I'm not sure yet whether to take the revelations re: Hellboy's heritage at face value. Could be a dodge.
I read Wild Hunt 1-6 in a sitting last week, and it's the best the series has been in yeeeears. Delivers big time on action, mythology, development of Hellboy (there's a reason he has recently been BOOMing first, asking questions later), even a potential love interest (though we'll see how far that goes).
And yo Nick, where's the Secret Six love this week?!? :) Peace.
I am still loving everything that Gail Simone is doing in Secret Six. That book slays me every time it comes out.
And I agree with you about the whole lack of sympathetic characters in The Unwritten. Tommy Taylor is kind of a schmuck and not quite as interesting as the bigger picture stuff in the book. Still, I think that's going to change. And, while I may be in the minority, I clicked with the bad guys from this week's issue and last month's issue. There's just something cool and sadistic about them that makes them stand out.
As for Fegredo's art...Yeah, it's exquisite. I'm way behind in Hellboy though. I just lost track a while back and haven't caught up. I'm going to try and remedy that very soon.
I agree that this issue of Unwritten came out of left field and really rose to a new level from what was just a solidly written and intriguing book to one that could be a new classic. A stunningly good issue, and one that illustrates that it pays to hang in there with some of these slow-burn books.
I have no idea where this book is going, but I'm loving it nonetheless. This is the first comic I'm actually getting in single issues in about 5-7 years.
I'm a big fan of Carey, loved Lucifer, and was saddened by the cancellatioin of Crossing Midnight so I really home that the Unwritten does well.
Hiya, Nick. Best of the Week? GI Joe Cobra Special. Art, writing, concept... beautiful.
Hope to hear from you again soon.
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