Image Comics 2015
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrated by Cliff Chiang
Coloured by Matt Wilson
Lettered & Designed by Jared K. Fletcher
The girls have been in our present for some time now and they aren’t any closer to finding KJ or whatever is happening to them. I’m not mad about that either this is actually one of those rare occasions where not knowing what the heck is going on is actually more beneficial to enjoying the story. This way we’re right there with the girls experiencing it all with them and learning alongside them so each issue, revelation and discovery is as fresh and fun for us as it is for them. Or devastating depending on what that news is.
Nice to nod to what’s currently happening in the world, oh the Problems that are about to begin. I thought that was funny and regardless of who is elected it could very well be seen that way. Still more interesting is that Grandfather, is born around this time, has dispensed with trying to hide or be subtle in his search for the girls. Thinking that they’ll rush to defend people if he blatantly attacks in the open. Wonder where he got that idea from and his taking of all these kids for processing well seriously all that does is make him one of the bad guys that need to be stopped. Almost as much as weird Erin.
Speaking of the moment of truth finally comes regarding all the Erin’s. True colours are shown and the reality of the situation sets in. I have to say I really wasn’t sure which way Brian was going with all this so it was kind of exciting to see how it all played out. Oh and yes to that moment we get that Airwolf reference! I want to say i’m not really surprised it played out this way but with what was presented before it seemed reasonable that who to trust really was up in the air. It really wasn’t until the characterisation that happens aboard a helicopter that it all finally sank in that this was indeed the only way it could go.
I do believe that this is Cliff’s best work to date. There’s something inspired about the way he’s bringing this to life. The way he uses page layouts, angles and perspective to tell the story and control the flow is wonderfully done. I personally want more backgrounds I think they do more to flesh out the scenes and give the bigger picture and when he uses them here with the attention to detail he puts in them they are stunning.
With their time in 2016 coming to an end so does this chapter of the story. With the last few pages and that last image in particular I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next and if this apple device is really going to help the girls navigate their way through all the madness.
Seriously one of the craziest most insanely unique, fun and interesting offerings to hit stands in a while. The girls have a strength and bond to them that set them apart and and along with their flaws as well as their strengths on display make them the most all around complete characters. Me i’m just along the for ride and here’s hoping we’re kept in the dark alongside the girls and learn things as they do this way we have to think, wonder and anticipate the way they do and keep our fingers crossed it’s all gonna work out!