Wayward TPB Vol #1: String Theory
Written by Jim Zub
Art by Steven Cummings
Image Comics
This is another title not on my list at all.
But when I had the opportunity to delve into it, I took the chance to see what the book was about.
If I were to hang a label in Wayward it would be ‘Americanized manga’.
Even after reading this one, I can’t say if I like the idea of ‘Americanized manga’.
The art isn’t quite the pie plate-eyed art of manga, thank goodness. I am not a fan of the style where every character is a teen, and all are basically drawn as clones of one another. Artist Steven Cummings has avoided that, although the teen cast is here.
Writer Jim Zub weaves a story of a group of teens in Japan discovering their magical abilities, which brings them into conflict with creatures from Japanese lore, kakis, kitsune and the like.
The series is a bit ‘teen’ focused, and I am far past my teen years, so it couldn’t quite achieve a level I was completely satisfied with.
Then again I can’t say this was a miss by any means either.
I liked it more than I had expected, and I will, as a result, recommend readers check it out for themselves.
Trees Vol #1: In Shadow
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Jason Howard
Image Comics
I am certainly a late-comer to this series. There has been much written about it, and I just never quite got grabbed. Then I peeked inside issue #13, became intrigued, and went searching for this collected volume to get into Trees.
And I liked it, well I think I did.
Or, maybe I will like it once I figure it out a bit more. It is the kind of story where I have found myself in idle moments, when ads are running on TV, or as I lay awake in bed, going back over the story line from writer Warren Ellis.
In that respect I suspect Ellis has achieved exactly what he wanted.
Trees is about these alien structures landing in spots around the world and while their landing caused disasters, for the following decade they have just sat there.
But there are suggestions the ‘trees’ are having subtle influences on people and the land around them.
That’s what the story has done in my case, that subtle influence of reflection.
Ellis is also writing a large canvas tale, one that could go on for a long run (depending on readership numbers of course).
There are many threads being woven, the impact of certain trees, the flood of New York, the use of a tree as a platform for civil war in Africa, another the spot of a weird social experiment in China ended in an unexpected way. Each is a story of its own.
Then there are the Trees. Why are they here? Why if it is alien tech has there not been some communication, or do they simply not care? What will happen as they seem to be becoming somewhat active?
Supported by the fine art of Jason Howard, Ellis’ work intrigues, but I’m just not sure how great. That will take more reflection I believe, but I do want more of this series as I struggle with figuring this one out.
