Image Comics 2020
Created & Written by Johnnie Christmas
Created & Illustrated by Jack T. Cole
Lettered by Jim Campbell
“HOMEGOING”
Tilde’s on the run from an empire. Klinzu has a date in a war zone. Their plan, a fiery escape to the most dangerous place in the galaxy: Tartarus.
Includes “LIFE,” a new backup story by STEPHANIE COOKE and MEGAN HUANG, exclusively in single issues.
Oh last issues double sized madness was a stellar introduction to this world, universe or whatnot and it's continuing onward here in ways to exceed what we've already seen. If I am going to be completely honest I am still a little bit lost at times here but then again I think that's part of the mad genius behind this. It is like wait, what, hunh, how, when and we keep reading to discover those answers and more. I am so fascinated and invested in this already and I have to say that the more we see the more I want to see and that's what good storytelling is supposed to do.
I think the way that this is being told is exceptionally well done. I like how this issue we are seeing more of the surrounding area before the reports have come in on what has happened and who it is they are pursuing. That we are getting the opportunity to see more of this system being explored and fleshed out is sensational. The story & plot development we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented beautifully. The character development here is interesting as well and I look forward to Tilde's continued growth and evolution the more she learns about herself. The pacing is great and as it takes through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way it helps to bring the books structure as well as it's ebb & flow to light.
There is this great way that the name of the series, the mythology of its meaning and how it plays into where they are here. That we see such a play on words and with all the meanings and the way it is incorporated into the story and at it's essence, it's core, it really resembles Dante's nine rings of hell. I love the symbolism that we see throughout the book and how the characters interact with one another their talents and the way that all seem to fit into this Shakespearean style drama that we see playing out before our eyes.
The interiors here are so gorgeous. Which in a lot of ways in an understatement. The linework is exquisite and how the varying weights are utilised to bring out this level of attention to detail is utterly marvellous. Also with this much detail we see how Jack has such a strong and steady hand. With the backgrounds as detailed as they are and how the work within the composition in the panels bring this insane depth perception, sense of scale and the overall size and scope to the book. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a masterful eye for storytelling. The colour work we see is beautifully rendered. How we see the various hues and tones within the colours create the shading, highlights and shadow work is so beautiful to see. I mean the colour palate here is exquisite with how the pastels really pop.
The layering and directions we see the story being able to take open up so many possibilities all of which are exciting, fresh and different than what we're used to seeing. This is what the power of storytelling holds, a way to open up new doors to adventure in ways we'd never have thought possible.