by SilverPhoenix » Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:41 am
Morning Glories #8
There is always an amount of risk when you write a story, especially one where many aspects of the overall plot line are not transparent. On one hand, you keep your readership guessing as to what might happen next, which if done right helps to build investment in what happens in that story (which in turn hopefully builds investment in the characters themselves). However, you also run the risk of not only having proper pay off, but also having your audience lose interest in even seeing said pay off happen. The sources of such results usually have to do with bad writing, but another result that may be independent of such is having the mystery become more important than the story. The balance that Nick Spencer has to strike is critical for Morning Glories to continue the success it has already attained, and Morning Glories #8 does just that for the most part.
Even though Morning Glories has more questions than answers, there are quite a few saving graces which include the well written dialogue, the compelling base story arcs and World building that makes you want to learn more. Beyond those aspects, the big draw for Morning Glories is the amazing work that Nick Spencer has put into each of the 6 main characters, and Morning Glories #8 is no exception. To spare everyone the superfluous expletives at this point, Nick Spencer shines the spotlight on Hunter, who adds quite a twist to this “Nice Geeky Guy” by giving him a Rare Mental Condition that could be link to quite an exceptional gift in the future. By doing this, Morning Glories #8 gives Hunter a needed dimension, along with giving the reader a reason to cheer for him to be successful in his pursuits. It all adds up to another successfully written Issue of Morning Glories.
To those who read my review of Morning Glories #7, you know that I have my issues with some of the art design choices of this book, and while Morning Glories #8 doesn’t answer my biggest concern by design, it does go a quite a bit of a way to show that the artist is beginning to get his grove. The Issue of incomplete finishes on the characters (by way of out of place lines) is greatly reduced in this Issue, as Joe Eisma seems to have the look of these characters down, as we’re given the first glimpse of what will more than likely become the signature looks of these character’s teenage selves. The backgrounds and coloring also continue to give this book the contradictory nature that makes it hard not to examine as the nightmare continues to unfold all around our protagonists. Overall, this truly the first time that I can truly praise this art, and I hope it only continues to get better.
Now as I said in my first paragraph, the way this story is being told has its risks, and one of those risks came to light with this Issue, especially if you were expecting that the Solicit to Issue 8 would begin to deliver us closer to some of the answers that we’ve been seeking from the beginning, and while this Issue does give us quite a bit of insight on Hunter, I can’t help but feel that we didn’t get as close as the Solicit led us to believe we would. Of course, that could be my own fault for expecting too much, but I did feel a little bit burned when I closed the book the first time. Despite that, there’s too much good to have that let down become a reason for me not like this book. For those who have followed this series from the beginning Morning Glories #8 is another example of why this series continues to be a worthwhile investment of time and money. As for those of you who haven’t begun this journey, it is not too late to get the first trade, and catch up to the rest of us. I guarantee that’ll it’ll be worth your time.
The Verdict
Story: 8.5
Art: 7.5
Accessibly: 5
Final Judgment: 8
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