Ambiguity is an odd word, covering a multitude of situations, decisions, ramifications and the choices you make in order to live your life. From a writer’s perspective, ambiguity is a strong skill to use as it ensures that their characters actions can be viewed differently, depending on the reader’s own view of the world.
It’s been a while since Young Terrorist #1 hit the stands, so you could be forgiven for starting this book and not having a clue what is going on. Cesar’s relatively simple goal of leaving the grid takes a number of complicated twists and turns, with each one hitting a similar vibe to The Matrix. “What if I said, there was no spoon?”
Writer Matteo Pizzolo story is, at it’s most basic, a story about beliefs and the things that you will do to achieve what you want. Pizzolo doesn’t just stop there. He fills this comic book with characters and situations that at first glance, will seem way out there. But this, in my opinion, is the way that Pizzolo manages to cram in so many different topics, including violence, sex, transgender and drug use. Each of these elements is shown without any preaching allowing the reader to form their own questions and in time, possibly their own answers. Still this is a comic book, so you would expect to see fights with the big bad. The violence inherent in this story is on show, at a personal level, as is the “taking on the Death Star” moments.
Amancay Nahuelpan is an artist on the rise and based on this book, will continue to do so. The manner by which Nahuelpan sets the characters in their panels is perfect for this type of book. Where some artists are unable to convey the pace of a story with group scenes, Nahuelpan seems more than comfortable, whether it be a crowded bus or the Mexican border, Nahuelpan never loses control. Regardless of the crowd control, Nahuelpan shows a great deal of skills around the facial elements that Pizzolo’s story calls for. Remember, Cesar’s ride is highly emotive covering manner facets including desire and lust, fear, anger and stubbornness. True, there is a lot of naked flesh on show. That said Pizzolo and Nahuelpan have created a book where there is true equality between the genders. For example, Cesar spends as must time naked as Sera, with everything that entails (no pun intended). Jean-Paul Csuka provides another stellar round of colors, in shifting environments. It’s only in the last third does the book lose some of its unique feel, but as this is another over sized issue, this is a minor problem.
This second volume continues the excellent work from its predecessor, excelling at the things it that the creative team do well. If you are an open-minded sort of person, that likes having conformity challenged and are comfortable with perception challenges, then this book is definitely right up your street. If on the other hand, comics with a clear-cut good and bad guy are more your thing, then maybe it’s time to have your perceptions challenged.
Writing – 5 Stars
Art -5 stars
Color – 5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan
Writer: Matteo Pizzolo
Colorist: Jean-Paul Csuka
Letterer: David Hopkins & Jim Campbell
Publisher: Black Mask Studios
Author Profile
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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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