Review: I Am a Number
The world is a pretty confusing place. We fight and struggle to find our place, to leave our mark to let everyone know that this who we were; that this is what we stood for; that these were our struggles!
Wouldn’t it be better if we were just a number in a bigger calculation of the universe?
Rian Hughes demonstrates the successes, the failings and the monotony off life in a numbered society with a high degree of humour albeit dark in places. The book is a visual journey, a throwback to the slapstick of older comic strips rather than comic books. Symbols take the place of words, intentions therefore can be hit and miss, though to be honest, they are more hit. Certain pages carry a theme, with themes broken up by snap shots of famous numbers; a fact I missed until 2001.
Hughes’ number world has a simple philosophy; the lower the number, the more important you are. This idea is the backbone of the satire as characters can try to change their number and therefore their position in the world. But could you really handle jumping a few numbers and dealing with the stress of your boss? Others have fate lend a hand, jumping from 11 to 1, for example gives some person the opportunity of a lifetime.  However, don’t think that the book is all comedy. In part there is a diatribe against communism, where every number is equal, yet somehow there is still a difference between the “haves” and the “have-nots”. There are other slices of life on show, each have their own impact, some political as the one just mentioned, others have a more personal twist.
Rian Hughes is a British graphic designer whose worked has appeared in numerous avenues, including the UK small press and of course 2000AD. His design skills are clearly abundant throughout this book. The one page “in-jokes” are a fine example of the delineation of the premise. The art is simple but effective, again demonstrating the virtues of its comic strip origins. The only problem I have with the book, and this is a small quibble, is that at 128 pages, the joke may for some feel a little flat towards the end. Still, if you want to take a break from the superhero world, with a book that can cause an instant smile before delivering a stronger message upon reflection, then this book is more than worth a look.
Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written, Art, Design by; Rian Hughes
Published by Top Cow & Image Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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