Sean Murphy: story and art
Solicitation
The media circus around baby Chris reaches fever pitch as he performs his first “miracle” – but all may not be as it seems. Meanwhile, Thomas begins to question OPHIS’s methods, and young Gwen discovers exactly what it means to raise the new Messiah as the whole world is watching.
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Why I Bought It
Stellar debut issue that had me hooked. Will this book fall to the second issue curse and go down hill from here? Or does it have some nice legs to stand on?
What I Liked
Pacing and characterization remains consistent from issue one into this one. Whew. That was a close one.
The tempo that was paced out in the first issue returns as we go from moment to moment while ignoring some details. What is interesting is that we explore more of Thomas' background. While it felt a little out of place in the first issue when compared to other back stories, you start to get the sense of the bigger picture with this issue. Thomas has a future with this kid, and if the cliffhanger for this issue is any indication, that may prove to be a more parental role. I was kinda of surprised that Thomas said he believed in Chris, but I think that was more a a ploy to brighten someone's day.
The art once again shines for me. I am digging the feel of the paper and the black and white look. Again, the scene that really makes the comic for me involves rain. I'm not too big of a fan of the sketch marks on people's faces, but I love that look when characters are in the rain. And again the comic ends with an excellent cliffhanger.
What I Didn't Like
Character development. All of the heroes here are getting some development and back story and you can clearly see their character arc. The "villains" of the story are very one-dimensional. There has to either be something bigger behind the producer's desire to keep going, or there is a bigger villain in the picture that will be revealed later, which may feel like a cop-out.
My other concern for this book is the idea that the doctor is now pregnant and will be giving birth to someone who will be Chris' age. I think its a fairly simple viewpoint to see that the baby Dr. Epstein is going to have is the rescued child from the end of last issue. The logic, timing, and other legitimate questions about it just seem like there should have been more focus on the surprise pregnancy from everyone involved. Now if Dr. Epstein said that she was adopting, that would be different.
My other concern here is when the TV cameras are turned on. I don't know if I forgot it from last issue or if it was ever acknowledged, but are cameras always on ala Truman Show, or are they on some sort of delay? Are they only in select rooms listening in to select conversations, or what? It seems to be a plot point that is only selectively used and not nailed down.
Panel to Remember
The moment when Gwen is in the rain and realizes she is alone. no words were said throughout that whole page, the art just did the talking, and it hit the nail with the final panel.
Quotable
"Anonymous donor." - Said by Dr. Epstein with a look that just gave away the fact that she knew the producer dumped the baby. Not a cliche remark, but it could have been if other words were chosen.
Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 10/10
Buy Next Issue: If the next issue continues this greatness, I'll just stick around til the end of the series no matter what happens. nicely done book.
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