Written by: R.J. Ryan
Art by: David Marquez & Kelly Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Archaia
A couple years ago, The Joyners was the first (and only) graphic novel to be released in 3D. I remember hearing about it briefly, but never actually went out and picked the book up. Now, it’s being re-released in a serialized form, as a four issue mini series. While reading about the issue earlier this week, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a little bit. After all, it was the first fully 3D graphic novel, it had to have just been a gimmick. Why would reading it like I would read any other comic be particularly special?
Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised by the issue. It’s not ground breaking or especially original, but what it is is the start to a solid science fiction story. Of course, I could go pick up the graphic novel and find out whether or not the potential of this issue pans out, but I’ve elected not to do that. Because, you know… I;m reviewing this issue, not the entire story. I rather enjoyed this issue, and I like reading comics in a serialized fashion, for the most part.
The Joyners takes place in a futuristic version of California, and follows the Joyner family. It’s presented as a series of flashbacks, with Sonya (the wife/mother) reading an account of events. Right off the bat, R.J. Ryan does a good job of building curiosity. Within the first couple of pages, I wanted to know more about the characters, and the world that they inhabit. This issue satiated some of my curiosity, but definitely left me wondering where the book is going; enough that I’m interested in coming back for future issues.
That being said, it almost feels like I was missing something coming into this issue. And maybe I am, but just don’t know it. It’s fine to drop the reader into an unfamiliar situation, but The Joyners almost takes it too far. My concern here is that the series is only supposed to be four issues, and I’m not convinced that’s enough time to add enough substance to the conflicts. A little bit more history would have been nice, but in that case, I may have been complaining about needless exposition. You can never win with reviewers.
Marquez’s art is, of course, wonderful to look at. That’s really not much of a surprise, and his pencils, as well as Fitzpatrick’s colors, really flesh out the world and the characters. They add an additional dynamic to the book that Ryan’s script could not have achieved on its own.
Funnily enough, my biggest issue with this book has nothing to do with the writing or the art – instead, it has to do with the shape of the thought bubbles. Something about the rigid edges bothered me, as it impacted the way I read the characters. It’s an odd thing that wouldn’t happen in any other entertainment medium, but it does in comics.
Anyways, I did like this issue a fair bit. It’s not groundbreaking or anything, but it’s well written and well illustrated, enough so that I’ll probably be back for the next issue. So if you’re looking for a decent science fiction comic, then this may very well be something worth picking up. Or maybe you just buy the collected edition, it’s really up to you.
