Aftershock Comics 2018
Created & Story by Adam & Aidan Glass
Written Adam Glass
Illustrated by Diego Yapur
Coloured by DC Alonso
Lettered by Sal Cipriano
Nick not only finds out he’s a legacy but that both his parents were also Lollipop Kids! How did he not know that? Well, because once you turn eighteen, you forget that you were ever a part of the Lollipop Kids. Well, that sucks…or does it?
Now, Nick must now learn everything on the fly to take his ancestral place amongst the Lollipop Kids, battle the monsters and save his city. Only one problem: he’s scared to death and the leader of the Lollipop Kids is ready to send him home for it. Who says being a hero is easy?
It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Adam’s writing and this story he’s created with his son is beyond delightful to me. I mean who at that age didn’t dream of a world where monsters were real and they were a hero fighting them? I know I did and perhaps that’s why I connect with this so well and maybe you do in that way as well who knows. What I do know is that while it’s a child’s fantasy world it’s a very adult world they are living in. While we get a glimpse of those who have served in the past that just ignites in me a desire to learn more and let’s the mind expand on what it means to be a Lollipop Kid and what it can do for your future whether you remember that time or not. Some lessons become engrained in you, in your DNA as it were and I feel this is one of those instances.
The structure of this story is amazingly well done. There is this feeling about this that it all flows like it’s a normal every day slice of life and while that’s pretty impossible nonetheless I feel like this is just another day in the life. Part of me thinks that crazy and another part of me thinks that’s spectacular, making this even more relatable which I wasn’t sure was possible. The pacing is incredible and then add into the mix this crazy level of characterisation and I'm blown away. While maybe not as dark but I can totally see an animated film along the quality of Watership Down happening with this here it is very cinematic, beautiful and crafted as if it were effortless to do.
I don’t know if I can describe the work Diego and DC do adequately enough to do it justice. Nick with his mixed race heritage and how that comes across, how delicate and feminine he looks is crazy good. The attention to detail that we see in these pages boggles the mind and your eye doesn’t stop moving once. That isn’t a problem either because you want to take in all the work as it enhances the story tenfold, and I keep strong the writing is, with the imagination and creativity that is brought to life here. Whether they are doing characters, monsters or showcasing the backgrounds the linework is extraordinary in it’s execution. The way that foreground is utilised so that we get that perspective that this is layered is phenomenally well done. The colour work is stunningly gorgeous, and again an understatement by me. The way light sources are utilised in highlights, shading and the gradation work wow it’s just jaw dropping.
The story & plot development here shows why I am such a fan of Adam’s. If the man were single and was bendable I’d be so in love with him because what he’s able to do with words makes so many others pale by comparison. Many people can write, many can write well but few can immerse you in a world that’s their creation that makes you want to stay regardless of the dangers. You feel things alongside these kids, their emotions, hopes and fears it’s palpable so you connect with them in ways that are unique to you.
Aftershock isn’t just a name folks it’s a feeling too and I feel like the aftershock of an earthquake as my knees want to buckle and my heart races leaving breathless and my adrenaline running.