The Unwritten #6 – Review

by Mike Carey (writer), Peter Gross (art), Chris Chuckry & Jeanne McGee (colors), and Todd Klein (letters)

The Story: Tom Taylor is thrown in prison and Lizzie Hexam is tasked with breaking him out.

What’s Good: I’ve always enjoyed the beginning of every issue of the Unwritten, which often focuses on another text, whether a real world one (like this month’s “Song of Roland”) or a Tommy Taylor book.  It sets a certain tone and allows Peter Gross to stretch his legs and provide a different, more painted/static style to convey the different text.  More than in past, however, Carey does not just limit these shifts to an opening.  Rather, a couple of times, Carey switches to a frame or two from the “Song of Roland” or Tommy Taylor in a manner that is fluid and perfectly in synch with the events happening to the comic’s characters.  As a result, he gives a sense of this not only being a singular comic, but also a dialogue between several different texts.

I also rather liked the introduction of the decidedly satanic looking thief, Savoy.  I hope he sticks around past this arc.  While he’s definitely a character, Carey chooses to keep him realistic and relatively subdued.  He has just enough flare to provide a nice contrast with Tom, while still keeping Taylor foregrounded.

A scene with the jail warden, meanwhile, provides perhaps the best scene of the book.   Carey is able to once again show the impact of fiction, as the warden’s relationship with the Tommy Taylor books exposes the softer family man below the hardened exterior.  The sudden shift is touching and the scene also shows just how much we invest in literature, our favourite books, and the hope they provide, as well as the lengths we’ll go to protect the illusion and escapism.

On another note, I should also mention that this issue’s ending is awesome and is sure to raise eyebrows.

What’s Not So Good: This is probably Peter Gross’ weakest issue, art-wise.  That’s not to say that it’s bad, nor is it to say that he’s committed any terrible errors.  You won’t be wincing at all at anything in this book, and honestly, it’s pretty decent looking.  However, it’s just under Gross’ usual high standards.  Something about the issue just doesn’t give me quite the same sense of comfort and satisfaction as previous issues did.  I do feel that things look a little less detailed and a touch more scratchy at times, so perhaps that’s the problem.  Though maybe this is intentional, to reflect Tom’s miserable status and surroundings.

I’m also not sold on the introduction of the new “Inside Man” narrator.  While it is logical to add a colorful, self-aware narrator who directly acknowledges the reader to a comic so concerned with text and the metatextual, the presence does nonetheless jar at times.  It also removes some of the sense of foreboding and mystery that has defined the book thus far.  Perhaps this too is intentional, reflecting a shift in the series’ tone, in which case these are just growing pains.

Conclusion: Didn’t like the art as much as usual, but it’s still a great book.

Grade: B+

-Alex Evans

Welcome to Hoxford #2 – Review

By Ben Templesmith (Writer and Artist)

I had somewhat mixed feelings about the debut of this new Ben Templesmith series, but I just couldn’t resist another look at the deranged inmates residing in the twisted Hoxford Reform Facility. And after reading this issue, but am I glad that I did.

While the bulk of the first issue was spent establishing characters and Hoxford itself, the second wastes no time creating a focal point between inmate Raymond Delgado and Doctor Ainley and a conflict between ancient evil with a taste for human flesh. The premise is the darkest that humanity has to offer finds himself face to face with the darkest that history has to offer. And you know what? It works far better than I had expected. While I am not entirely sure how long you can really go with such a fairly limited concept, I am more than willing to go along for the ride.

Ben Templesmith is really impressing me with his work on this series. Raymond Delgado is an incredibly compelling (and completely insane) anti-hero that really wouldn’t work unless the setting, atmosphere, and concept was just right… and it is. Simply put, I don’t think he could work in any other environment or storyline, and that alone makes him unique and interesting enough to warrant following. Delgado’s reality (and Hoxford in general) is dark, dreary, and disturbingly violent – a fact that is reinforced by some incredibly gritty and surreal visuals. From a creative standpoint, everything just comes together extremely well.

I really don’t have anything truly negative to say about Welcome to Hoxford at this point, but feel that it really is being written for a specific type of audience. I can’t (in good conscience) make a sweeping recommendation, but those into the horror genre or the concept of the anti-hero really must give this one a try. (Grade: B+)

-Kyle Posluszny

The Walking Dead #46 – Review

By Robert Kirkman (writer), Charlie Adlard (art), Cliff Rathburn (colors)

It’s time again for The Walking Dead! How long has it been since last issue? It seems like two or three months ago!

The first third of this issue involve some quiet time in the prison. We see Rick preparing his son for the worst case scenario, unlikely strangers taking comfort amongst themselves, and small moments of family bonding. And then everything goes to hell. The cover of this issue doesn’t lie or mislead. What happens in the mid-section of this book is real and incredibly brutal. The Governor is a bastard, we know that, and he prepares his second round assault on the prison. But then we get one hell of a surprise.

Reading this issue reminds me why I prefer reading the trades. One can literally finish an issue in 5 minutes. And then what? You’ve got to wait a month (or much longer) for the next issue. It sucks, but waiting 4 months for a trade is worse – and that’s the only reason why I pick up the issues.

Robert Kirkman once again hooks us from page one and doesn’t let go. This series is consistently good and Kirkman has made well on his promises that no character is safe. Riveting. (Grade A-)

– J. Montes

A Second Opinion

I started reading the series a week ago based on Jay’s recommendation (I stole all his books) and now it sucks because I’ll have to wait a month in between issues. I didn’t pick this series up before because I thought it was “just another zombie story”. This series is extremely well done, with characters you grow to love and hate. Kirkman doesn’t want us to feel safe; any of the character is at risk.

This mantra is confirmed again with this issue. The Governor doesn’t have enough strength to hit with one hand, so he strikes several times, making for one hell of a brutal assassination. I do wonder why the survivors didn’t shoot at the governor while doing his deed (and out in the open). At least they could have saved one of them, (if Michone was captured as the Governor said). I saw the covers for future issues and it doesn’t look good for Rick and company. (Grade: B+)

-Daniel Yanez