Review: Skyward #8

The foundation of a great concept is typically forged by asking a poignant but simple question that opens up opportunities to be explored. For Skyward that question comes down to, “What would the Earth be like if gravity suddenly stopped working?”“. Sure there is an element of ludicrousness to that idea, but what better place to explore that lunacy than the medium of comics where there are no limits. So far Joe Henderson and Lee Garbett have molded that concept to create a series with an infectious adventurous spirit that fittingly has a limitless potential. At the same time, as issue eight also shows, it is the characters that fill that world that has cemented Skyward as one of this year“s best new series.

Now recovering from their great train rescue from the last issue Willa is hiding out with the rest of the survivors at the nearby Low-G farm. A farm that is becoming a beacon of secrets as Willa is trying to hide the fact she is a wanted felon, and they also discover the farm itself is full of its own set of secrets including one regarding what they are actually farming. It may not be at the level of Soylent Green, but it has its own level of ickiness. Still, Willa is finding friendship and perhaps something more with Lucas who saved her last issue. Either way, there is a risk getting to know him as he works for the very person trying to kill her.

In two issues Lucas is developing into one of the series best-supporting characters. When you are a farmer who kills giants bugs with a sword while riding an enormous butterfly you immediately have some intriguing talking points. Being a more contained issue Lucas“s origin is revealed to show the challenges he faced to become the warrior he now presents himself as. One wonders if he is too good to be true prolong the mystery of what his real motives might be as Willa is naturally more trusting she is willing to accept him on face value.

One concern with the Lucas and Willa quick friendship is the elements of flirtation that have been hinted at. For a series that has avoided any cliches, there is some risk there if not handled correctly moving forward it could weaken Willa as a character. Obviously, that is not automatic and as with all story elements it all comes down to execution. Considering how Lucas and Willa“s own personal goals lineup there is plenty of opportunities to make it work, and the cliffhanger ending demonstrates there is much more going on than we have yet to realize.

That ties into what made this title so effective so far which is the pacing. Joe Henderson“s scripts are impressively economical as every time we get an ounce of worldbuilding it directly relates to developing one or a multitude of characters. You could argue that each piece fits together too perfectly. Every significant mystery ties somehow into our major characters from the true reason behind G-day to what is really going on at these farms to the possible answer to saving the world. For an event that worldwide does make things come off as oddly small. It is a convenience worth doing to allow the narrative to naturally flow, and more importantly, those connections just make each choice from each character that more relevant.

Lee Garbett also deserves a great deal of credit for making the rules of this world work as well as they do. All the physical anchors that would normally define motion are gone. Even small moments like looking through papers have to be reevaluated in order to conceptualize what that should look like. With this being a more character and story-centric issue most of the intention was on those smaller moments. To make those moments work his panels are more contained with distinct backgrounds to vary from the open world. Having a roof over your head has more than symbolic meaning as without it you risk floating away to the vastness of space. So adding those details adds a layer of comfort to make the conversation the central focus.

Final Thoughts:

Skyward #8 is a natural resting stop for the series as we get an issue settling in for the next major arc. We learn more about these mysterious farmers and the secrets they have been hiding including a major cliffhanger that was legitamly unexpected. While it may not be as bold as the previous issues there are elements being built that can lead to some major payoffs. Even when things slow down it finds a way to be original.

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Writer: Joe Henderson
Artist: Lee Garbett
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Editor: Rick Lopez Jr.

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Daniel Clark

A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.