Review:Â Collapser #1
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer:Â Mikey Way & Shaun Simon
Art:Â Ilias Kiryiazis
Colors:Â Cris Peter
Letters:Â Simon Bowland
Reviewed by:Â Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
Liam James, an aspiring NYC D.J. is working a day job at a retirement home. Just when he thinks he’s about to see his entertainment dreams come true, his estranged mother dies and sends him a package. So, how do you ship a black hole across the galaxy? Liam James is having a very bad day.
Positives
Way and Simon spend a lot of time developing Liam James’ character for most of Collapser #1. This is a great method for grabbing the reader. We now so much about Liam that we instantly care about him and what happens to him. Probably, the most striking thing about his character is that despite the crappy day job he has, he actually cares for the residents of the retirement home in which he works. This goes a long way in drawing the reader into the story.
The concept of having a black hole inside you is pretty interesting AND insane. While Liam doesn’t get to utilize any powers he may gain from this situation, the situation plays out in a fashion that allows for Liam and the reader to explore together. It’s a very effective way of approaching the unknown. This should engage readers quickly to bring them back next month to this new Young Animal series.
And, it’s not the only mystery…if Liam received this “gift” from his mother…who was she? We only get to see a little bit of her in the first couple pages of Collapser #1 after her demise. And this might be the “bigger picture” element. How do kids deal with the loss or absence of a parent? It’s not something unusual in comics, Batman anyone? However, this issue seems to present the trope in a grounded manner, it’s the “comic book” part that comes along later.
Kyriazis’ art has its own style, yet it fits in well with what we’ve come to expect from Gerard Way’s imprint. There’s no doubt that this isn’t your average super-hero book as Kyriazis depicts a very real NYC in the streets and the club. Even though this book hasn’t manifested an analog yet, like previous Young Animal titles, it definitely fits in with the tone and unconventional approach.
Negatives
Collapser #1 utilizes some adult language that may be a turn off. However, it functions much more naturally here than in the Young Animal title, Mother Panic.
Verdict
With only one issue, Collapser appears that it will be another well done, thoughtful title in the Young Animal Comics imprint. There’s plenty of characterization and mystery for the comic book reader, but, also, the promise of something more that has become a hallmark of the Young Animal Comics. Comics for dangerous humans? Comics for thinking and feeling humans….
