Her life is routine and simple to the point of depression.
Not only that, but theyre all in color and its blowing Donnas mind.
These nightmarish demons, the Veratu, rule civilization and intend on snuffing out Donnas new friends.
Originally, the nine issues were split into three trades, told in your usual movie trilogy style.
Then the final act is all about going bigger to build to an explosive climax.
The first arc of the book runs parallel to the firstMatrixin terms of overall concept.
It was bigger and flashier, but it was still more of the same and rarely seemed grounded.
What if Neo fully liberated the Matrix?
What kind of fallout would we see from that?
In that reality, being free means living a hellish existence in a wasteland.
Cypher was a jerk, but Id take his side in a second.
When gray people see the colors and see the world for what it is, the reactions vary.
Some awaken themselves and break social taboos and find independence.
It even cuts both ways.
Donnas father is in love with the concept of breaking the social norms, but doesnt quite understand it.
Its easily the strongest section of the book.
The character work is strong.
Raina is a punk rocker with a shoot-first-ask-questions-later attitude.
Luke is a calm and collective ladies man with an appearance not unlike Jimi Hendrix.
Rocky is a smiling, loud and proud daredevil with a rockabilly look.
The wise mentor is Jackson, who mixes country, classic rock and blatantly being Sam Elliott.
Then theres Kenji, the wacky one with his New Wave mojo.
Unless itsFantastic Mr. Fox.
That gets a pass.
It doesnt help that Kenji also gets the most blatant example of the books lyrical dialogue gimmick.
Tossed in here and there are memorable song lyrics used in normal conversation or loudly exclaimed.
or, Free your mind and the rest will follow.
When it works, its great.
But when you have Kenji showing up to one-liner, Mama said knock you out!
it makes you wonder why anyone would ever say that.
The clothes change, but the style remains the same so much that you barely notice the difference.
The Veratu creatures look especially original and creepy, selling them as villains before their intentions make it clear.
It was a nice step up, considering I already had the first trade.
Its extremely fun and owns the contrasting, magical and inspired world it creates.
Like us onFacebookand follow us onTwitterfor all news updates related to the world of geek.
AndGoogle+, if thats your thing!
Rating:
5 out of 5
