Dark Horse Comics 2016
Created, Written & Illustrated by Gene Ha
Coloured by Rose McClain & Wesley Hartman
Lettered by Zander Cannon
So last issue the girls discovered their father was kidnapped and have decided to head to the world Abbie left to rescue him.
I love the characterization that Gene is bringing to this series. I mean we open with Mae being so psyched up about being there and taking on a new persona. It’s cute really and the fantasy of being someone else and then seeing the city of Krunyrves for the first time is infectious. She’s a geek through and through as the names she is deciding upon showcase. Though it’s not until she meets the first denizen of this world that the reality hits her and her reaction is priceless!
By the way the first image of the city that Mae and by extension the reader gets of the city is magnificent! Gene’s imagination is on full display here and the to see those that inhabit the city really does wonders for the reader. From the humans to the natives we see such a range here and he does something different as well with the humans. You’ll have to read the story to understand why that is but it’s a great twist. The whole flow of this book is incredible as we see him use pages and panels to give us a bigger picture of the story.
While the girls have met a friend and traveling companion all heck breaks loose and suddenly we get to see why Abbie’s reputation in this world is so well deserved. Though Mae in all her confusion proves to be a quick thinker and with her sister in danger acts in ways a heroine should. I do like that in her absence the world has changed and Abbie has to learn to keep up and that she and Mae are closer than they realize to finding their father. Though life has a way of throwing curve balls at you they seem to be able to roll with it nicely.
There is so much more going on here if you think about what it is that’s happening. It’s a wonderful all-ages tale yes and as such there are messages woven into the story that at first glance you might not really see. Be careful what you wish for, nothing is stronger than the ties of family and no matter what others think of you, be true to yourself and be the best you can be all seem to flow in different ways here. With a little ingenuity and some smarts you can accomplish whatever you put your mind to regardless if you think it’s out of your league.
Mae finds herself in a wonderful and strange new world and while the reality of that is fighting against the comfortability of what she’s used to she’s got an open mind. That allows her to experience things and her love all things literary and geeky give her the option of putting things into categories she easily identify with. New and different doesn’t have to be scary it can be exciting if you go into with the right frame of mind. It’s something that is important to remember regardless of what age you are.
I think the story Gene is telling here is delightful as it ignites the imagination and questions what the reader holds as their norm. With a quest for finding family, their place in the world and the friends who stand by them through it all this has something for everyone. Plus Gene brings it all to life with a beauty and grace that shocks and thrills.