Blue Juice Comics 2015
Created & Written by R.F.I. Porto
Illustrated by Gavin Smith
Coloured by Tim Yates
With the second chapter of this series underway we see a new level of work emerging here. The writing is stronger, sharper and more focused and the interior artwork also more seasoning to it showcasing that working on this series has done wonders to improve the skills of everyone involved. This series is fantastic and I like the originality to it with a one way ability to time travel, only into the future, and the assembled cast of characters that culminated at the end of the last series this promises to be and even grander adventure.
I like how this opens with Spatz in class being drilled by the teacher and his classmates looking on in amusement and then as they change before our eyes to those who were also in the arena fighting until he wakes up and the reality of the situation comes to light. We pick up immediately where we left off after the group had jumped to escape their predicament. Ah the mix of personalities here really are delightful and the Queen Bitch herself now finds herself as their unwitting travel companion with her own Accelerator missing. Only the reader is privy to where that went and it’s quite the interesting turn, who took it that is.
Spartacus the half cyborg Roman fighter knows they aren’t alone and suddenly the story takes a decidedly darker turn. The story, dialogue and thye plotting here really are great and seeing places we’ve seen previously in a new time the way we do here is a nice touch. The past ties into the future and each jump they take it seems things get darker and bleaker for them. Though I have to say I’m impressed with a few things here, when Spatz speaks up and gives the grown-ups as the do him for this outburst really goes a long way to establishing his intelligence and sensible way of thinking.
What’s really great about this issue is that it gives the reader the perfect opportunity to get reacquainted with the characters while still moving the story forward. While there are plenty of serious moments in all this there’s also humor, seeing Spatz throw up after each jump for one and the way smart ass comments are bandied about as well make serious moments balanced out. Porto doesn’t waste any time with the characterization and story pacing while continuing to set the stage for the most unusual adventure you’ll ever take.
Gavin’s interior artwork with Tim’s colouring was really impressive too. Facial expressions, emotions, mood and tone all shone throughout the entire issue. I’m also highly impressed with the way the classmates changed around Spatz I thought showed real ingenuity and talent. Plus there really was something about Spatz this issue that really stood out he has become the focal point of the group it seems and he now has this commanding persence about him that we see on the page.
Blue Juice Comics really has some innovative, fresh stories with up and coming talent you’ll see being used by other companies soon enough.