Kickstarter Review: Start Again #3
Following a number of successful Kickstarters, the third issue of this superhero meets girl clashing with an an already predetermined life series is out now.
This issue is possibly more reflective than the first two issues, through this we get to learn a little more about Ajay. Unhappy with his ascribed situation, he has taken his time with Natalie lie a duck to water. But in order to stay together, they both need new ID’s and out A.S.H. The decision weighs heavy on Ajay as anxieties start to raise their fearful inducing heads in the form of the familiar, now long gone.
I am a big fan of creator / writer / letterer Jamie Me. As a creator he has the unusual ability to move from genre to genre with great aplomb, be it superheroes, slice of life stories or even D&D; he manages to utilise the foibles of each genre layered in with humanity and humour in equal amounts. Possibly because of past successes, and my own high expectations, I was left a little confused by this issue.  Firstly the narrative, seems to be explaining the plot devices and key points in manner which seems quick. Comics are mix of words and pictures, so therefore with the visuals, it should be show not tell. Unfortunately, here, there is too much tell. The other thing that kind of annoyed me was Natalie. I understand that in the superhero world, when boy meets girl it will be the superhero that becomes the focus. But surely, in any relationship the “girl” is something more important to the hero than a shag’? To say that Natalie is vacuous would be an understatement. The dialogue is fine, though I could have done without the casual institutional racism.
The art is provided by Neri Rearte is solid. The first page does leave quite an impression. However, body shapes kind of morph in places shortly thereafter. Some of the emotional elements are well worked, as are the conversational pieces. Some of the action scenes can have an awkwardness about them. Rearte’s colors are pretty good throughout, mixing in different environs and people which helps with the level of depth that Me is trying for. Speaking of Me, the letters also work well throughout the book as me uses different fonts and even different coloured word balloons.
Every series has that issue that doesn’t work as well as others. In all likelihood, it will always be the transitional issue as the reader is moved from an already explained and understood world into the next challenges for the characters. As such, this issue, which features a number of different plot threads, the new identity, the anxieties and the introduction of more heroes from A.S.H, that ultimately fail to satisfy. Perhaps, taking a less is more approach would allowed one of the threads to becomes the stronger one, rather than be lost in the inconclusiveness of the ongoing bigger picture.
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 3 Stars
Colors – 3 Stars
Overall – 3 Stars
Created, Written and Lettered by; Jamie Me
Art and Colors by; Neri Rearte
Edited by; Archie Dait
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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