Due to the visual nature of comics, when you find out an artist is writing and drawing his own book you listen. Typically the work is more visually driven than usual writer/artist collaborations (just look at I Hate Fairyland) and more than likely Frank Cho’s new series with BOOM! Studios is no different. The question is, is it good?
Skybourne #1 (BOOM! Studios)
So what’s it about? Check out our full preview with official summary.
Why does this book matter?
Cho is known for drawing buxom but strong looking female characters with a rounded, satisfying style that includes everything else in his work no matter the subject or their sex. That makes this book a dead ringer for good looks. On top of that, he’s done plenty of work for Marvel in recent months and it’s appealing to see what sort of ideas a creator has hiding due to the limitations of drawing a big universe book.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
What’s his deal? You’ll want to know.
Right off the bat you’ll get a cinematic vibe from this series due to the strong pacing and layouts. Cho uses appropriate mid level, close up, and establishing shots at the perfect times to help push the story forward in an economical way. Cho also has a great handle on the dramatic timing of beats so that the tension of a scene can breathe and the reader can be whisked off at an opportune time for something completely different. An example of this is in the opening pages where we see a man falling presumably a plane, landing, and living. You’ll be scratching your head at how this is possible, but Cho cuts right to another character who also seems to be invincible.
This also relates to exposition and plot detail which are infused in the action and surprises of the script. Instead of dumping a bunch of information we’re left with tidbits to piece together which makes the entire issue as a whole feel cohesive and rewarding.
The art is good too, with a focus on the characters in frame more than anything. This allows for solid character acting and emphasis on movement. This gives the book a visual style even when characters are talking, which again makes this feel cinematic. Plus there’s some glorious gore for you ultraviolence fans and I’d suspect if you dig Invincible you’ll probably dig the visuals in this book.
It can’t be perfect can it?
There were a few instances where I wished there was more to the backgrounds and environments. Spatially you get the gist of where the characters are in relation to each other, but how or where they’re moving to was lost here and there. Due to the focus on the characters themselves the book has a character drama feel more than anything which fits right into a more TV show vibe.
Geof Darrow’s variant cover is outstanding!
Is It Good?
This is excellent storytelling with a cinematic flair you shouldn’t miss.
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