Fly #2 Review, The Cape #1 Review

Comic Book Wednesday

Issue #11

More blogs to come soon. Sorry for the delay on the promised continuing story of The Unfortunate Liquidation of Borders, but that's the thing about working in liquidating store... it kind of kills inspiration. All of my writing time has gone to my scripts for 1000 Ways to Die and the various short story and comic book submissions that I'm prepping. For now, though... let's get to some comic books.

Fly #2

Written by Raven Gregory

Pencils by Eric J

Zenescope Entertainment

This is why Fly works better than the tired old drug allegories you'll find in lesser comics, television shows, and movies. Fucking everyone wants to fly. If you ask anyone you know what superpower they would want, at least half of them would say that they would like to fly. It's something that everyone fantasizes about. The mere concept of this book is brilliant, because it universalizes something--drugs--that, in many cases, isn't universal. But again... who doesn't want to fly?

And in context with the story that this comic is telling... that's a bit scary.

After reading the second issue, Fly continues to show that Zenescope is breaking new ground by churning out creator owned material that easily lives up to the standard that Image, IDW, and Vertigo have set. Raven Gregory's drug epic is only in its second chapter, but it's already become a must-read title for me. Fly is engaging, clever, bizarre, and confidently told.

This time, the issue is almost all flashback. We only get one shot of Present Day Danielle, after her little... let's say beating-the-shit-out-of-Eddie incident in #1. There is also an interlude feature a mysterious (and murderous) white haired man that seems to take place in the present. The rest of the issue shows Eddie's first experience with flying and, more disturbingly, his reaction to finding out that Danielle's father is more than just verbally abusive. It's an intense read, especially when juxtaposed to the art that mades all of the characters seem wide-eyed and innocent. It makes for an engaging dichotomy, but I do have to warn readers that there is a scene that heavily, heavily implies an incestuous rape.

As a side note, I'm really glad that I got the C Cover, which features our resident ginger fly-drug supplier hovering in the air, brandishing a needle. I think the sexier covers might have made the implied rape scene a bit skeevy; however, out of context of any of the covers, the scene came off as horrifying as it was meant to.

One last side note, there are some cool easter eggs in this issues. Here's a hint for those looking to find them... Folks in the world of Fly seem to be pretty big on comics written by a certain mainstay at Zenescope.

Again, Fly is a solid read that promises to weave an intense, disturbing, and absorbing tale.

The Cape #1

Written by Jason Ciaramella

Based on the story by Joe Hill

Pencils by Zach Howard

IDW Publishing

It's rare than an IDW book doesn't satisfy, and it's unprecedented for a Joe Hill book not to kick major ass. If the continued collaboration of these two storytelling giants doesn't at least pique your interest, you should learn how to read good comics.

This is very much a follow-up to the one-shot The Cape story that I reviewed here, but folks who didn't read that shoudn't be confused by this story. Without spending any time on exposition, the story kicks off at full speed, revealing the backstory through images and the actions of characters. But don't kid yourself--if you're going to follow this series (and why wouldn't you?), it's worth picking up the one-shot for the experience of reading that incredibly disturbing book alone.

The larger story of The Cape that begins in this issue is as dark and creepy as the one-shot, but it's a whole lot batshit crazier. Our sociopath of a protagonist takes care of his police problem in one of the most creative and insane ways that I could've imagined. Shit, who am I kidding? I couldn't have imagined that. That scene alone is evidence of the sadistic genius that the Ciaramella/Hill/Howard team have in store for us in this series.

If the strength of the creative team behind the book isn't enough, here's my final word on The Cape #1... if you don't buy it, you deserve to have a very, very angry bear dropped into your car.

...What?

SOON: The continuing tale of The Unfortunate Liquidation of Borders.

NEXT WEEK: Reviews for FLASHPOINT #4 and SUPERMAN #714.