[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Storytellers: Carmine di Giandomenico, Dan DiDio
Dialogue: Dan DiDio
Colors: Dan Brown
Summary
Derek’s mom wants to know where he’s been and tries to confront Derek, but handles it the wrong way and a fight breaks out. Derek leaves in a huff and tries to talk to Ernie about his problems while Derek’s mom, Helen, goes to the office to investigate the tapes of Derek she saw further. After a brief bonding session with Tempus Fuginaut, Derek tries to make things right with his mom only to discover that things have gone Sideways.
Positives
It is truly amazing how a different team can transform a comic thats been relatively disappointing me into a complete hit in one issue. I kid you not this issue was one of my favorite pulls of this week.
This art may not be the best art ever, but it really knows how to tell the story DiDio and di Giandomenico want told. The choice of panels in this issue is very unique and excellent. I am not going to lie and say that there is exquisite detail or coloring like I’ve never seen before. Those aspects are satisfactory. The choices of perspective, angle, panels on top of panels, and other similar attributes are what really make this comic stand out. Each panel is very deliberate and I have a lot of respect for that.
All of the storylines really came together in a big way in this issue, and I cannot believe how well DiDio and di Giandomenico pulled it off. The teenage angst felt real this time as opposed to last issue. Helen’s concern was one of the rawest emotions of this series so far. Even Tempus Fuginaut delt with a struggle I could really get behind as a lonely protector of time. This issue was a complete 180 from last week’s and I really hope DiDio and/or di Giandomenico stays on. I know they are busy men, but their storytelling clearly shows a passion for the character others have not had.
Negatives
I have very little for this issue. I guess my one comment would be that a lot of what’s going on is explained through Derek’s expositional thoughts, which is common in a lot of comics like Sideways, but can sometimes drag the story down a little, even in this issue.
Verdict
Best issue yet in a series that’s been very up and down for me so far. I hope to see more of the same in the future.
