A Foot Down the Rabbit's Hole: Where do the Backways Go From Here

Backways has been my kryptonite over the past few months. It proclaimed to be a story that would entice Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia fans alike; so it’s a bit shocking I’d pick it up since I’m not a fan of either. (In my defense I never read Chronicles of Narnia, and as for Harry Potter I don't enjoy J.K. Rowling's writing style.) Backways, on the other hand, gave me that awe and splendor I missed out on. There is no doubt that people like C.S. Lewis and Rowling are great at crafting unique and memorable worlds, with that being said Backways feels like a potential successor. The team, consisting of writer Justin Jordan and artist Eleonora Carlini, brought us to the Backways, a magical world that dwells just beyond our own. Carlini's art and Jordan's writing are just so in sync with one another, creating an organic and original story. It has a rich environment with interesting characters, places, histories and laws of nature. It’s has a refreshing familiarity that rejuvenates that childhood wonder.

The five knacks (aka magic talents) are classified as warpers, weepers, whispers, workers and walkers. Each power has its strengths and weaknesses; walkers can open pathways, warpers can warp themselves or objects, workers can create charms with different knacks attributed to them, weepers read minds and whisperers speak to the dead. One of my favorite details throughout the series is the use of each knack. Whether it’d be subtle or impactful, each knack gets represented and used. The history of the Backways is as old as humans, with that being said such extensive history comes with devastation. Anna Merrick is a human who finds herself in the in the Backways, and maybe the next coming of disaster.

Anna is a stoic, social outcast who found salvation in one person, Sylvia. She has a pretty one-track mind; instead of taking in the wonders of this new world she just continues her search for Sylvia, who has gone missing in the Backways. What makes Anna interesting isn’t her personality, but rather the fact she is the catalyst for things to come. In her desperate attempt to find her girlfriend, she discovers her powers as a whisperer. It is her determination and new power that makes her so fearsome.

On the other hand, her Backways guide Coyote Bones is so enigmatic and charming. She lacks any sort of natural magical ability, using charms to help her traverse the dangers of the Backways. It’s their clashing personalities that make the interactions between them fun and enjoyable.

After Anna discovers she has powers in the Backways, she sits on the precipice of either being a force of good or evil. The “villains” of the story are protectors of the Backways, while her closest allies may have ulterior motives. Unfortunately, the story stops there, with a rushed ending that falls short. Backways #5 was a blur of events that led to a cliffhanger, thus hampering development and leaving us with a lack of answers.

I feel like I've been cheated in a way. You can't build this compelling world then fast-track to a conclusion. You can't let beautiful character designs expire into obscurity. This tale has only scratched the surface of its own complexity. Backways is a fun adventure for both young and older readers. Volume one just suffers from an unpolished ending, which is a shame. I believe for this series to hit its stride it needs to continue. Backways #5 may suffer from a rushed finale, but the series overall was wonderfully entertaining. One issue isn't the straw that breaks the camel's back. There are so many undiscovered avenues to the Backways, and perhaps we can traverse them together. I only say all of this as a passionate fan: Please hit me with a volume two announcement.