Back to the Future: Tales from the Time Train #1
IDW Publishing 2017
Story by Bob Gale & John Barber
Written by John Barber
Illustrated by Megan Levens
Coloured by Charlie Kirchoff
Lettered by Shawn Lee
It's 1893 and at last, Doc Brown fulfills his promise to Clara as he's completed the project he's been working on: the Time Train! But where in time and space will the Brown family go on their inaugural trip? And what could possibly go wrong if and when they get there?
I’ll be the first to admit I have thought of Back to the Future in a long time. I grew up with the first run films seeing them in the theatre and while they were enjoyable when they were done I was done. So I am not really sure what made think to read this, perhaps it was because it’s the first issue but I’m kind of glad that I did. This takes what I remember and expands upon it in a fun all-ages kind of way.
The book focuses on Doc, Clara and the boys Jules and Verne as they use the time train and travel. The structure of the book is easy to follow, the ebb & flow is solid and the characterisation is pretty darn spectacular. While Doc is well established and thinking is easily simulated it’s really the boys that grab your attention. What they guys do here is fun, they’ve got very distinct and separate personalities and while one takes after dad the other takes after well Marty of all people. I’d like to say Clara but really the younger one, Verne, he’s the rough and tumble type as he acts without thinking and is gung-ho to stop villainy.
So there is a nice amount of story, characterisation and action within the opening and it’s more than enough to pique the curiosity leaving the reader wanting more. I wasn’t sure what to expect or why the supposed future looked like something out of a steampunk adventure or what happened after that. Though I will wholeheartedly admit when you can travel through time why not go somewhere or when it would be safe enough to take children? Overambitious and overactive children to say the least who when left unsupervised will wreck havoc. It is certainly very much fun to read and experience.
Megan has a very all-ages style to her artwork which is well suited to this style of storytelling. Her use of page layouts plus the angels and perspective we see in its panels showcase a strong eye for storytelling. Backgrounds come and go as are wont for this kind of story though in all honesty I do think they should within every panel as they expand the story beautifully. The characters have a charm and charisma to them that make and keep them likeable.
Marty and Jennifer make a brief appearance as does Einstein but that’s okay this isn’t a series that centres around them. It’s all about Doc and his family and their adventures aboard the time train. So the way this story ends is promising as it shows off how the series is going to progress. Tooling around time would never be enough there has to be some sort of both history lesson as well as danger and adventure to keep things fresh and interesting.
For lovers of the film franchise or those that just enjoy a good uncomplicated time travelling through history this is going to tickle the funny bone. It has has the adventure and excitement that goes along nicely with everything else we see. This is a great first issue that has a lot of promise and this could be one those great escapes for a nice afternoon.
IDW Publishing 2017
Story by Bob Gale & John Barber
Written by John Barber
Illustrated by Megan Levens
Coloured by Charlie Kirchoff
Lettered by Shawn Lee
It's 1893 and at last, Doc Brown fulfills his promise to Clara as he's completed the project he's been working on: the Time Train! But where in time and space will the Brown family go on their inaugural trip? And what could possibly go wrong if and when they get there?
I’ll be the first to admit I have thought of Back to the Future in a long time. I grew up with the first run films seeing them in the theatre and while they were enjoyable when they were done I was done. So I am not really sure what made think to read this, perhaps it was because it’s the first issue but I’m kind of glad that I did. This takes what I remember and expands upon it in a fun all-ages kind of way.
The book focuses on Doc, Clara and the boys Jules and Verne as they use the time train and travel. The structure of the book is easy to follow, the ebb & flow is solid and the characterisation is pretty darn spectacular. While Doc is well established and thinking is easily simulated it’s really the boys that grab your attention. What they guys do here is fun, they’ve got very distinct and separate personalities and while one takes after dad the other takes after well Marty of all people. I’d like to say Clara but really the younger one, Verne, he’s the rough and tumble type as he acts without thinking and is gung-ho to stop villainy.
So there is a nice amount of story, characterisation and action within the opening and it’s more than enough to pique the curiosity leaving the reader wanting more. I wasn’t sure what to expect or why the supposed future looked like something out of a steampunk adventure or what happened after that. Though I will wholeheartedly admit when you can travel through time why not go somewhere or when it would be safe enough to take children? Overambitious and overactive children to say the least who when left unsupervised will wreck havoc. It is certainly very much fun to read and experience.
Megan has a very all-ages style to her artwork which is well suited to this style of storytelling. Her use of page layouts plus the angels and perspective we see in its panels showcase a strong eye for storytelling. Backgrounds come and go as are wont for this kind of story though in all honesty I do think they should within every panel as they expand the story beautifully. The characters have a charm and charisma to them that make and keep them likeable.
Marty and Jennifer make a brief appearance as does Einstein but that’s okay this isn’t a series that centres around them. It’s all about Doc and his family and their adventures aboard the time train. So the way this story ends is promising as it shows off how the series is going to progress. Tooling around time would never be enough there has to be some sort of both history lesson as well as danger and adventure to keep things fresh and interesting.
For lovers of the film franchise or those that just enjoy a good uncomplicated time travelling through history this is going to tickle the funny bone. It has has the adventure and excitement that goes along nicely with everything else we see. This is a great first issue that has a lot of promise and this could be one those great escapes for a nice afternoon.
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