Slightly above average.
Many people, like myself, will enjoy this comic purely because it's just more of the fantastic story, and characters that they may have never expected to return (at least I didn't). Although the writing and art were both well done, this story does not make me jump and down for joy like the ending of cinematic version of "Fight Club" did. I know, I know, I shouldn't be expecting this, but if they're going to write an arguably unnecessary sequel. I ask - Why shouldn't it? For this reason, is why the story does so little for me. The triumphant finality of "Fight Club" (at least the movie), I feel is a perfect end point. At the end I didn't feel there was much left unsaid, or threads left untied, the ending delivers, leaves you satisfied, and maybe even with a small tear of joy. Full disclosure, I have to admit, I have only read parts of the book, mainly the very beginning, and the last chapter. I know this cheapens my critique significantly, however, I am certain I am one of many who will read this comic, having only seen the movie.
The premise that "Sebastian" (the name of the main character's "straight" persona) has settled down with "Marla" (his lover from the first novel) and his son in a quiet suburban lifestyle cheapens the original story. The ending that I loved so much, now means very little, there was no great overthrow, the great legend of "Tyler Durden" is still alive, and living a complete lie. Marla however has become tired of this benign existence and has began to secretly replace Sebastian's medicine with sugar pills, in hope to unleash "Tyler Durden," the wild leader of Fight Club and Sebastian's sociopathic split personality. The comic winds down with a barrage of panels showing that Marla may have been depriving Sebastian of his stabilizing medicine for some time, meanwhile allowing"Tyler" to construct political and social turmoil around the globe. The very last pages revealing the possible death of Marla's and Sebastian's son.
Overall the layouts, and visual story telling is excellent, the expressions, and likenesses are spot on. The story is something that will keep me interested in the next issue, however, it isn't something that completely blew me away. That being said, it is only the first issue, and if there is anything to be learned from reading Palahniuk's work, is that his finishes are usually well worth the wait.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Monday, June 1, 2015
Alan Moore and Jacen Burrow's "Providence"
Coming into this latest release by Moore I was a bit skeptical, after being significantly disappointed in his other recent Avatar Press release: "Crossed + 100." In the last ten years, most comic industry critics have approached Moore and his current work with either dismissal or passive aggressive distaste. Although some of his recent interviews, and most of his recent work have been discouraging, and sometimes hard to read, "Providence" seems to show more promise than anything he has released in recent memory.
We begin with a close-up of a hand written letter to a lover being torn in half. The letter is dated August 12, 1919, the lovers, as indicated by the name and context of the note are two gay men. Almost immediately, there is a sense of familiarity to other Moore work, first in it being a period piece, secondly it's inclusion of social taboos, leading into the familiar piece of Alan Moore social commentary. Anyone familiar with Moore know that except in rare cases, Moore's work almost always includes a heavy thread of social commentary. This often enhances his pieces, and according to some of his own work on the subject of writing fiction, it is a practical requirement. Unlike some writers who include social commentary as a way to create the illusion of sophistication, Moore's commentary is often the building blocks to his narrative which few writers can match in his elegance.
The story continues to a full page panel inside a early twentieth century newspaper office. A conversation between the main character, Robert Black, his editor, Ephraim Posey, fellow journalist Freddy Dix, and secretary Mrs. Turner are discussing a late minute story needed to fill space in the coming edition. A mysterious story named "Sous Le Monde" is discussed as a potential subject because it supposed power to make any reader commit suicide. It is decided that Robert is to look further into the story and interview a local writer/doctor, Doctor Alvarez, who had written an essay on the mysterious story. On the next page we return to the concurrent story that led off the issue, watching the man who tore the letter walk into a domed building in the center of radiant city park. On the following page we are introduced to yet another concurrent thread recounting Robert's departure from his home of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while watching his journey to the home of Doctor Alvarez.
Robert is greeted at the door of Doctor Alvarez's home by an elderly woman. She leads him to Alvarez's room which he is told needs to stay exceedingly cold due to his "illness" that is kept in a shroud of mysterious. Robert begins to ask Dr. Alvarez about the supposedly deadly "Sous Le Monde," Alvarez dismissively refers to the story as quite a comedic piece, and expresses much more interest in the referral to an 9th century Arabic alchemical text named "Kitab Al-Hikmah Al-Najmiyya" or "The Wisdom of the Stars." In which Alvarez claims a colleague was once given a transcript which still resides in the United States that explores ways to extend life, and even raise the dead. The conversation turns to this text and Alvarez's use of the text with his colleague that lead to his supposed "illness." It is in this conversation this issue's, and potentially the series main theme is revealed. Robert in an awkward attempt to change the subject states the doctor's illness his certainly in his right to keep private. In response introduces one part of the main theme "secrecy" Alvarez shares his belief that there is a "secret America," one in which very few Americans recognize or acknowledge, but all participate.
The secret homosexual lifestyle of our protagonist is the obvious the central conflict of the series. In the concurrent panels running throughout the issue you see the man in the the first panel sit down in the domed building in the city garden listening to an early twentieth century phonograph. You also see the disintegration of the Robert's heterosexual relationship, leading to the reveal that the author of the love letter from page one was indeed Robert, and the reader, the man who had walked into domed building in the garden, was found dead of an apparent "suicide." The final pages of the issue is an entry from Robert's diary further emphasizing the protagonist's secret lifestyle. Although in some ways this extended exposition is a bit redundant, it does offer depth to the character that is not otherwise hinted to within the story's panels.
Overall, this first issue does what good first issues should, leaves you wanting more, establishes intriguing characters, and introduces a compelling plot, that offers intricacy and depth in both execution and content. The intrigue into the life and mind of our protagonist, shows there will be an inevitable conflict between his public and private life. It leaves you wanting more of the mysterious Doctor Alvarez and his mystic Arabic tome. Also, wait, what the hell happened with Robert's lover? He entered some garden listening to a record and shows up dead?
For those of you asking "You have said not one word about the art, what is wrong with you?" To be honest I barely can draw a stick figure, so my critique or opinion on art carries even less weight than my critique or opinion on writing. With that said, the art is better than average, and although Moore is known for his obsessively intricate page layouts, Jacen Burrow's renders the visual story quite beautifully. His art offers a realism and attention to architectural detail that gives you a true sense of time and creates a dark mood.
We begin with a close-up of a hand written letter to a lover being torn in half. The letter is dated August 12, 1919, the lovers, as indicated by the name and context of the note are two gay men. Almost immediately, there is a sense of familiarity to other Moore work, first in it being a period piece, secondly it's inclusion of social taboos, leading into the familiar piece of Alan Moore social commentary. Anyone familiar with Moore know that except in rare cases, Moore's work almost always includes a heavy thread of social commentary. This often enhances his pieces, and according to some of his own work on the subject of writing fiction, it is a practical requirement. Unlike some writers who include social commentary as a way to create the illusion of sophistication, Moore's commentary is often the building blocks to his narrative which few writers can match in his elegance.
The story continues to a full page panel inside a early twentieth century newspaper office. A conversation between the main character, Robert Black, his editor, Ephraim Posey, fellow journalist Freddy Dix, and secretary Mrs. Turner are discussing a late minute story needed to fill space in the coming edition. A mysterious story named "Sous Le Monde" is discussed as a potential subject because it supposed power to make any reader commit suicide. It is decided that Robert is to look further into the story and interview a local writer/doctor, Doctor Alvarez, who had written an essay on the mysterious story. On the next page we return to the concurrent story that led off the issue, watching the man who tore the letter walk into a domed building in the center of radiant city park. On the following page we are introduced to yet another concurrent thread recounting Robert's departure from his home of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while watching his journey to the home of Doctor Alvarez.
Robert is greeted at the door of Doctor Alvarez's home by an elderly woman. She leads him to Alvarez's room which he is told needs to stay exceedingly cold due to his "illness" that is kept in a shroud of mysterious. Robert begins to ask Dr. Alvarez about the supposedly deadly "Sous Le Monde," Alvarez dismissively refers to the story as quite a comedic piece, and expresses much more interest in the referral to an 9th century Arabic alchemical text named "Kitab Al-Hikmah Al-Najmiyya" or "The Wisdom of the Stars." In which Alvarez claims a colleague was once given a transcript which still resides in the United States that explores ways to extend life, and even raise the dead. The conversation turns to this text and Alvarez's use of the text with his colleague that lead to his supposed "illness." It is in this conversation this issue's, and potentially the series main theme is revealed. Robert in an awkward attempt to change the subject states the doctor's illness his certainly in his right to keep private. In response introduces one part of the main theme "secrecy" Alvarez shares his belief that there is a "secret America," one in which very few Americans recognize or acknowledge, but all participate.
The secret homosexual lifestyle of our protagonist is the obvious the central conflict of the series. In the concurrent panels running throughout the issue you see the man in the the first panel sit down in the domed building in the city garden listening to an early twentieth century phonograph. You also see the disintegration of the Robert's heterosexual relationship, leading to the reveal that the author of the love letter from page one was indeed Robert, and the reader, the man who had walked into domed building in the garden, was found dead of an apparent "suicide." The final pages of the issue is an entry from Robert's diary further emphasizing the protagonist's secret lifestyle. Although in some ways this extended exposition is a bit redundant, it does offer depth to the character that is not otherwise hinted to within the story's panels.
Overall, this first issue does what good first issues should, leaves you wanting more, establishes intriguing characters, and introduces a compelling plot, that offers intricacy and depth in both execution and content. The intrigue into the life and mind of our protagonist, shows there will be an inevitable conflict between his public and private life. It leaves you wanting more of the mysterious Doctor Alvarez and his mystic Arabic tome. Also, wait, what the hell happened with Robert's lover? He entered some garden listening to a record and shows up dead?
For those of you asking "You have said not one word about the art, what is wrong with you?" To be honest I barely can draw a stick figure, so my critique or opinion on art carries even less weight than my critique or opinion on writing. With that said, the art is better than average, and although Moore is known for his obsessively intricate page layouts, Jacen Burrow's renders the visual story quite beautifully. His art offers a realism and attention to architectural detail that gives you a true sense of time and creates a dark mood.
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