Image Double Feature: Isola and Analog Review

Story: Gerry Duggan

Art / Cover: David O'Sullivan, Jordie Bellaire

Age Rating: M

Analog #1 brings us to a world in the not so distant future. Five years from now the security of the internet has been totally destroyed. No one's secrets are safe on the worldwide web. Now the rich entrust their secrets to armed couriers called "Ledger Men.” Jack McGinnis is our noir-esque hero and Ledger Man, cuffing himself to his briefcase full of secrets and fighting those who want them. The artwork done by O’Sullivan is very fitting for the noir feeling of the book. The lining is very dark and harsh. The shading and addition of the shadows in a lot of the panels gives this book some life and shows consideration for scenic lighting. Unfortunately, there are some details I find lacking. For example, facial features just seem flat. The coloring is also very plain, but over-the-top colors wouldn't suit this particular genre.

The plot and world are probably my favorite aspects of this book. Most books about the future either embrace technology or are a post-apocalyptic mess. This book present itself as a world that is split between mindsets; those who regress to a time before technology and those who decide to keep their lives the same regardless of the consequences of privacy. Jack is a pretty typical noir archetype. He drinks, swears, fires a gun and is filled with guilt. He's this chaotic neutral, who constantly thinks if his involvement with the crashing of internet privacy was for the good of the people. Analog #1 ends like any good action series, with us wanting more and waiting to see how Jack escapes his next escapade.

Story: Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl

Art: Karl Kerschl, Msassyk

Age Rating: T+

Isola is a vibrant adventure that brings you in the midst of a perilous journey as Royal Guard Captain Rook flees the city capital of Maar with their queen. Queen Olwyn has been put under an evil spell, and their only hope to set her free is on the island of Isola. The first impression that a comic book has on its audience is the art. Since first seeing advertisements for this book I was enthralled by the cover art. Isola #1 sets a tone and a standard for the rest of the series with beautiful colors and lively art. Msassyk’s coloring is so complementary and in-sync with Kerschl’s art. The art itself can only be described as animated. It’s like looking at cashmere and thinking t, “damn that’s really soft.” Looking at Queen Olwyn’s fur or Rook’s armor, you can almost feel the materials. The character design is also very nice; in particular Queen Olwyn in her tiger form is gorgeous. It’s amazing how Kerschl manages to bring almost human-like facial expressions to an animal.

The writing is detailed in a way that differentiates the characters by region and status. Pring, Rook and the clansmen all speak in different accents and characteristics as expressed in the dialogue. Most importantly, a lot of Rook’s dialogue is defining of who she is as a person. You don't need any sort of narrative captions to know anything about Rook- she just wears her personality and emotions on her sleeves. She fluctuates between absolute servitude and confidence to her ruler, but when inexperience and stress present themselves she loses a lot of her cordial mannerisms. This issue is a bit out there and jumpy with its plotting, but is done so in a way that keeps you interested; it’s a well-woven and captivating story. The only thing that would really disappoint me is if certain plot-points, such as the visions in the beginning of the book, were never addressed or explored.