Cosmic Times Presents/Inverse Press 2016
Written by Kevin LaPorte
Illustrated by Rich Perrotta
Coloured by Yuan Cakra
What a truly unique and interesting little story this is. I’ve got to say that this wasn’t something you’d expect to see and that alone is fantastic. I’ll freely admit that the opening page threw me until I was almost done with the story and that Kevin did that to me was genius. As this young man who is obviously infirm but yet has this overbearing patron and incredible talent was used in a such a way really does impress me.
It isn’t often something like Progeria comes up in comics, there’s only one other I can think of, so that this boy has been diagnosed as such was interesting. That he had a nightmare and seizure and his caregiver, definitely not a mother, shooed away the paramedic’s away with such dismissiveness made me instantly both curious and wonder what what her deal was.
As the story goes on and this boy whose body and hands aren’t built, made or can handle this kind of piano playing, he’s something of a protege if you will, and she pushes him and pushes him well you do get some absolute emotion from what’s happening.
Gaspar sees the woman built of parts like a clock whom he begs to help him. His caregiver is the covers dragon and the two are seemingly at constant odds with one another. I was really quite taken with the story as it unfolded and I have to admit that sometimes I thought one thing was happening only to discover I was wrong, very wrong indeed. I like how the boy was treated throughout this story and how it ended with/for him.
The boy Gaspar seems to be a catalyst between two forces and it’s a very different kind of story one you wouldn’t expect from page to page.
One of the great things about one shot stories like this one is that to see what the creative team is made of. Does the writer, in this case Kevin, have a good grasp of characterization, plot development, pacing and story development. The answer is a resounding yes not only is he quite talented with all that but he’s also gifted in that he take something unique and tell a complete tale out it.
Rich and Yuan do a serviceable job on the interiors. Gaspar could have appeared more convincing at times as if struck with a truly aging disease but on the whole it was nicely done. Faces and body proportions needed a bit of work but that comes with time and experience however it is very good from a small indie publisher.
Cosmic Times has an interesting array of stories to tell and they do it very well.