Boom Studios 2014
Created & Written by James Tynion IV
Created & Illustrated by Michael Dialynas
Coloured by Josan Gonzalez
It almost feels like this series got off track for a bit but I understand why it went the direction it did and how the kids and school have established themselves as a new city on the Moon and not joining with New London. But we’ve gotten away from the kids that went off on their own and really introduced to this magnificent place. They’ve drifted apart from one another and they seem to be acting out of character but then we aren’t privy all that happened in that missing year either.
James is bringing the group back together here or at least making strides in having them realize that they need each other now as they did then. With all the craziness that has happened and is happening here seeing how much they’ve both changed and still have to go through their fractured society needs a strong core group like these kids.
Calder has been using way too much of that local mind altering drug some of the students have been using. I guess supply and demand for coping on this Moon has really gone to the dark side but also nicely demonstrates what we’ll do when we faced with such hopelessness. His redemption though starts this issue and that is nice to see, that someone cares enough to get him cleaned out. Karen on the other hand is in a world of trouble and after striking out on her own she’s alienated herself from her former friends. If they don’t come together to go after her she may find herself stuck in a new camp with even more dangerous folks than we’ve seen yet.
Ben has quietly become something of an unassuming leader and that’s a nice twist. His conversation with Isaac however more aptly demonstrates the quiet boys ability to see what needs fixing. He genuinely cares about Isaac and this talk while uncomfortable really does do a lot for their characterization.
Sander has his own secrets and if I’m not mistaken I wouldn’t be surprised if Sander were a girl but that’s another story otherwise that chest bandage binding him means something else and that I cannot wait to see exposed. He also hasn’t been honest about this Moon and all the different factions that still run around in it with them not in all the time they’ve known each other and while Calder wants them all go rescue Karen the others are hesitant. It’s Ben who rises to the occasion reminding them who she is and who they are and organizes what’s to come.
Isaac meanwhile his secret is a bit more intense and why he won’t join them and what he’s been up to well it all ties back to the first boy he ever had a crush on and that’s going to be dangerous as well. After all we’ve seen this doesn’t end up boding well for the one has it’s attention.
Perhaps it’s just that the James brought us a group of kids that had to bond over their experience and become something more than they were that made them so likable and now that they’ve fractured and seemingly tried to blend back into where they were a catalyst like this was needed to demonstrate they have a greater purpose and each other. All I know is that the change and growth of these kids has really been extraordinary. Plus we’ve only scratched the surface of who all lives on this Moon.
Michael and Josan continue their work in bringing these kids and this Moon (world) to life with such a fantastic and unique style. Plus that two page spread on pages fourteen and fifteen yeah I love that it keeps showing us how powerful their work is and how vivid their imagination can be. I also really enjoy the way they are able to express the unspoken emotions coming off each character.
This is an incredible series from start to finish and really should be experienced by all.