Aftershock Comics 2018
Written by Sean Lewis
Illustrated by Steve Uy
Lettered by Simon Bowland
Kieron and Tamara are both seniors at the same high school. Kieron is the new kid at school and he stopped to ask directions and suddenly Tamara punched him in the face. Two kids who feel a connected energy between them and can’t stop thinking of the other will soon learn why that is and why that spark between them causes passion and anger. Not quite a Romeo and Juliet story but it’s close enough so buckle in folks because you’re in for a bumpy ride.
First of all after reading this first issue the description provided is whack so I had to change it. Sean does a really good job here with the way he’s structured this book. From the opening page to the last one there is a kinetic energy that we get from the book that is exciting. There is a wonderful ebb & flow to this though I will say it’s almost rushed to get to the point of the last page. It would have been nice to get to know the kids better in their day to day lives not to mention home lives before seeing their destiny unfold. That having been said I am still okay with how this whole thing plays out.
The opening sequence kind of rocked! I really enjoyed it because it’s not often you are treated to something like that. I like the whole kind of role reversal thing going on which is completely at odds with those who created them in the first place. Also for the first time the kids we meet in the beginning seem to play no other part than to introduce us to our stars. While part of me screams at this another part says good on ya to Sean because I am not used to seeing this kind of method used in the writing of a book and it’s kind of neat. It is like going out of your comfort zone and when you do you’ll find some great stuff happens.
The characterisation that we are seeing is pretty strong solid stuff. I believe we get a really good sense of who’s who through narrative, dialogue and actions. Not only with the kids but with their respective friends and people. It seems that pretty much anyone we see here gets the same kind of treatment from Sean and I appreciate that greatly. I wasn’t really sure what to expect coming into this and now that I have read it I am still not sure what to expect but one things for certain I firmly believe I am better off this way.
Steve’s interiors here are really rather interesting as well. The linework is great and while I almost immediately thought I saw a Manga influence it’s very much now in western culture. The attention to detail is superb and I’m sorry but seeing the hallway in school caused massive flashbacks that I could’ve done without and that is because it looks so real. The way page layouts are utilised so that we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a seasoned eye for storytelling. That Steve isn’t afraid to use backgrounds as he does is wonderful and does some excellent work in expanding the story, the worlds and how we see things. Oh my god the colours used here forget about it cause, whistling sound, man that’s incredible.
We like to make comparisons or that a story is based on something else and in this very issue they talk about Romeo and Juliet and how much so they aren’t those characters. The premise might be loosely based on their relationship but star crossed lovers they aren’t and as they come to grips with what’s in front of them we’ll see just what the power of love(?) can do.
Alright people prepare to leave your comfort zone and experience something new it’ll be worth the adventure I promise.