Scott Williams
Sep 1, 2004, 04:07 pm
Reviewer: Scott Williams, yoda905@yahoo.com
Quick Rating: Great!
Story Title: Hero's Journey
The Life Story of Hero Brown
Written by: Brian K. Vaughan
Pencils: Pia Guerra
Inks: Jose Marzan, Jr.
Letters: Clem Robins
Colors & Separation: Zylonol
Cover Artist: Massimo Carnevale
Assistant Editor: Casey Seijas
Editor: Will Dennis
Hero Brown, Yorick's older sister, is a character who has mostly only appeared in the periphery of the series. She pops up from time to time, and we get an update on her situation, and then back to the usual Yorick stories. She was quite instrumental in the second arc (available collected in the "Cycles" trade paperback - go get it if you don't have it,) after which she was arrested. She then turned up some time later, seemingly to confront her mother, at the end of an issue. We didn't see her again until she also met up with some of Yorick's former associates (from the "One Small Step" arc, also available now in TPB - get it!) and we really had no idea what sort of shenanigans she was up to. What her scheme was. Had she killed her mother? Was she going to kill Natalya? There was no telling. Now, in the issue, and for the first time: the life and times of Hero Brown.
It begins early in her life, with a very creepy scene of her taking Yorick to play with a mysterious hooded woman statue, which she calls "Queen Victoria." We learn all the stuff we didn't really know about her - how strained her relationship with her parents was, what happened to her after the plague, how she came to be with the Amazons, how she escaped prison, what she met with her mother to talk about, and why she was seemingly tracking down her brother. It's sort of chilling, partially due to the art of Pia Guerra, which makes it look very straight forward, a very stark photo-biographical odyssey of sorts. The art definitely enhances the reading experience, but let's not forget the genius writing of Brian K. Vaughan, which lays Hero's life story out for us in such necessary detail, not lingering too long in any one segment, giving us what we want and need to see, and moving along. It's a very functional story, but it is written a way so as to elicit maximum enjoyment from readers. This was was truly great issue, especially from this truly great series.
Readers will be glad to read Hero's "journey" from seemingly normal young girl into a member of the most notorious post-plague militant group. How she came to agree with the ideology of the Amazons, and what long-lasting effects it had on her psyche. Her character is fully fleshed out in this issue, and now that we understand her thinking, her mindset - something we couldn't have done had we not the information we are given in this issue - we will better understand her actions in any upcoming appearances. Her mind, you see, isn't right. Maybe it was something the Amazons did to her, or maybe it was the deprogramming process, but somewhere along the way, something got broken up there and there's just no fixing it. And that spells trouble, for somebody. Whether it's Yorick or one of his travelling companions (having read the issue, you'll know who I'm talking about,) this Hero's journey is surely not over with.
Once again, the artwork, great stuff from Guerra. There's a reason she and Vaughan are credited for their creation of the series. Their work embodies the series. You can't have the book without Guerra any more than you can without Vaughan. Granted, there have been issues without Guerra (and none without Vaughan,0 but those issues just aren't quite the same. Usually, the artwork in those issues - to some degree of success, of course - jsut approximated Guerra's. It's noticably different, but there's just a better feel, a more complete feel with Guerra is drawing it. I also dig the inks of Jose Marzan Jr. which range from light to dark, when appropriate, and the dull colouring of Zylonol which makes this book feel like "Vertigo." Also dig the neat little touches - like young Yorick's stuffed monkey on page 1. History repeats itself.
This is a glowingly positive review. And I doubt any of the book's redaers would disagree. It's not perfect, but it's as good as can be expected without pulling out all the stops (which does happen every now and then, usually at the end of arcs.) The only bad thing I can say about the issue is a pretty numb complaint - there's no Yorick. Well some, but not much. There have been issues without Yorick before, and while the book needs him as the central focal point, those issues prove that he need not necessarily appear in every issue. After all, there's an entire world out there, with no men. I don't think the last remaining man is the only story of interest. And Hero's journey - which largely if not entirely takes place post-plague - proves that. I'd like to read more issues like this. BKV's strong characterization and skilled pacing make them equally enjoyable.
Looking ahead, it's clear that soon enough, Hero will meet up with Yorick again. And what, then? Will somebody go home in a body bag? Will it be a joyful reunion or tragic? Now that she's "deprogrammed" (or is she?) how will she react to her brother? Maybe she'll snap. But I guess we'll have to wait and see...
STORY:
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ART:
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OVERALL:
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<a href=http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=158&cat=Y+%2D+THE+LAST+MAN+>Buy this Issue Online from X-World and Save!</a>
Quick Rating: Great!
Story Title: Hero's Journey
The Life Story of Hero Brown
Written by: Brian K. Vaughan
Pencils: Pia Guerra
Inks: Jose Marzan, Jr.
Letters: Clem Robins
Colors & Separation: Zylonol
Cover Artist: Massimo Carnevale
Assistant Editor: Casey Seijas
Editor: Will Dennis
Hero Brown, Yorick's older sister, is a character who has mostly only appeared in the periphery of the series. She pops up from time to time, and we get an update on her situation, and then back to the usual Yorick stories. She was quite instrumental in the second arc (available collected in the "Cycles" trade paperback - go get it if you don't have it,) after which she was arrested. She then turned up some time later, seemingly to confront her mother, at the end of an issue. We didn't see her again until she also met up with some of Yorick's former associates (from the "One Small Step" arc, also available now in TPB - get it!) and we really had no idea what sort of shenanigans she was up to. What her scheme was. Had she killed her mother? Was she going to kill Natalya? There was no telling. Now, in the issue, and for the first time: the life and times of Hero Brown.
It begins early in her life, with a very creepy scene of her taking Yorick to play with a mysterious hooded woman statue, which she calls "Queen Victoria." We learn all the stuff we didn't really know about her - how strained her relationship with her parents was, what happened to her after the plague, how she came to be with the Amazons, how she escaped prison, what she met with her mother to talk about, and why she was seemingly tracking down her brother. It's sort of chilling, partially due to the art of Pia Guerra, which makes it look very straight forward, a very stark photo-biographical odyssey of sorts. The art definitely enhances the reading experience, but let's not forget the genius writing of Brian K. Vaughan, which lays Hero's life story out for us in such necessary detail, not lingering too long in any one segment, giving us what we want and need to see, and moving along. It's a very functional story, but it is written a way so as to elicit maximum enjoyment from readers. This was was truly great issue, especially from this truly great series.
Readers will be glad to read Hero's "journey" from seemingly normal young girl into a member of the most notorious post-plague militant group. How she came to agree with the ideology of the Amazons, and what long-lasting effects it had on her psyche. Her character is fully fleshed out in this issue, and now that we understand her thinking, her mindset - something we couldn't have done had we not the information we are given in this issue - we will better understand her actions in any upcoming appearances. Her mind, you see, isn't right. Maybe it was something the Amazons did to her, or maybe it was the deprogramming process, but somewhere along the way, something got broken up there and there's just no fixing it. And that spells trouble, for somebody. Whether it's Yorick or one of his travelling companions (having read the issue, you'll know who I'm talking about,) this Hero's journey is surely not over with.
Once again, the artwork, great stuff from Guerra. There's a reason she and Vaughan are credited for their creation of the series. Their work embodies the series. You can't have the book without Guerra any more than you can without Vaughan. Granted, there have been issues without Guerra (and none without Vaughan,0 but those issues just aren't quite the same. Usually, the artwork in those issues - to some degree of success, of course - jsut approximated Guerra's. It's noticably different, but there's just a better feel, a more complete feel with Guerra is drawing it. I also dig the inks of Jose Marzan Jr. which range from light to dark, when appropriate, and the dull colouring of Zylonol which makes this book feel like "Vertigo." Also dig the neat little touches - like young Yorick's stuffed monkey on page 1. History repeats itself.
This is a glowingly positive review. And I doubt any of the book's redaers would disagree. It's not perfect, but it's as good as can be expected without pulling out all the stops (which does happen every now and then, usually at the end of arcs.) The only bad thing I can say about the issue is a pretty numb complaint - there's no Yorick. Well some, but not much. There have been issues without Yorick before, and while the book needs him as the central focal point, those issues prove that he need not necessarily appear in every issue. After all, there's an entire world out there, with no men. I don't think the last remaining man is the only story of interest. And Hero's journey - which largely if not entirely takes place post-plague - proves that. I'd like to read more issues like this. BKV's strong characterization and skilled pacing make them equally enjoyable.
Looking ahead, it's clear that soon enough, Hero will meet up with Yorick again. And what, then? Will somebody go home in a body bag? Will it be a joyful reunion or tragic? Now that she's "deprogrammed" (or is she?) how will she react to her brother? Maybe she'll snap. But I guess we'll have to wait and see...
STORY:
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ART:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yhalf.jpg
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/yhalf.jpg
<a href=http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=158&cat=Y+%2D+THE+LAST+MAN+>Buy this Issue Online from X-World and Save!</a>