|
"Journey
into the Immateria . . .":
Promethea Volumes 1 & 2 
Review
by Jamie Tarquini
Writer:
Alan Moore
Penciller: J.H. Williams III
Inkers: Mick Gray
Colors: Jose Villarrubia & Jeromy Cox
Letters, Logos, & Design: Todd Klein
More
Info: www.wildstorm.com
|
How
is it that Alan Moore can consistently pluck new and interesting
ideas out of thin air when there are so many other creators
that can't seem to do anything but recycle what has already
been done? Add to that a few anchors to bring a completely
out-of-this-world concept to have a basis in our reality and
it suddenly brings his readers that much closer to the characters
he creates. This recipe is a godsend in bringing the medium
of comics to the forefront as literature and why with Promethea
I can't wait for the next compilation of issues.
Before
the story even gets going, Mr. Moore himself greets you with
an introduction. Here we learn the basis for how he and J.H.
Williams came up with the idea of Promethea, and basically
it was already created for them - they just had to fill in
the blanks (now, I hardly mean to diminish the creativity
of these to artists, but you'll see what I mean in a moment).
Moore
is well known for doing detailed research before crafting
his scripts (just read The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
sometime) and in his research here he learned that at different
points in time throughout history people have written about
a being called Promethea who would help those in need, although
appearing slightly different each time. From here Moore throws
in his vision of "ideaspace" or as it becomes known in the
comic, the "Immateria." This is the place where all ideas,
inspiration, courage, and desires come from. And since Promethea
is an idea this is where she exists.
We
are quickly introduced to our main character, Sophie Bangs,
as she is on a personal quest to finish a term paper on the
history of Promethea and her habit of reappearing in literature
throughout history. When she interviews the widowed wife of
a former Promethea pulp writer she finds herself under attack
by a shadowy demon and realizes can transform into Promethea
to defend herself and her journey gets underway.
From
there Sophie has to figure out how to control these newfound
powers that she seems to have inherited and trying to figure
out where they came from while defending herself from otherworldly
demons who want Promethia dead. This leads her into the realm
of the Immateria where she is schooled in the science of magic
by all of the pervious incarnations of her namesake. Meanwhile
back in the futuristic "real world" there are various subplots
building that occasionally climax causing Sophie to return
from her magic lessons in order to help those in need.
The
city where Sophie lives is a character all its own. In every
issue we are treated with backgrounds that feature billboards
for an outrageously popular comic called the "Weeping Gorilla."
New York's mayor has at least forty different personalities
and we get news updates about his latest public appearances
via live broadcasts announced out loud in the city streets
by a system called "TEXTure." However this is nothing compared
to the fairy-tale on acid world that is the Immateria. Each
area seems more surreal than the next, and the artistic style
changes depending on the mood of each realm. Outrageous beasts
live and breathe here while Sophie walks among star a riddles
background filled with possibility and wonder. And even beyond
the imagery are Moore's seemingly logical answers for where
our characters are and why these places exist.
Promethea
is very much a book for adults. Y2K issues, unprotected sex,
and homosexuality are all topics discussed within these pages.
But besides the content that Moore weaves magically between
a science fiction atmosphere and modern world with every day
issues, there is the ornate paneling and vivid colors brought
together by J.H. Williams, Jose Villarrubia and Jeromy Cox.
Each issue has a cover that is indicative to the tone inside,
and has varied from a 50's science fiction movie poster to
pencil sketches. The most obvious difference that sets this
artwork above 90% of what is out there are the extravagant
use of panel layouts. Very often there are double page spreads
that will have each page read separately, but will woven together
with ongoing background elements such as a snake, starry skies,
tarot cards, or any other item that is relevant to the conversation
on the page.
ABC
has been publishing Promethea since 1999, and yet they are
only up to issue 24 as of this review. This is why I have
chosen to read this title in a collected format, originally
choosing the softcover format but now I'm regretting not buying
the hardcovers. It took almost 2 years since the release of
the first softcover to print the second, and there are already
three volumes in the more expensive - but worth it - version.
Very often comic fans say there is nothing new and challenging
out there to read, and to those fans and to others who doubt
that literature can be found if it is presented alongside
artwork, I give you Promethea.
Jamie Tarquini has an uncanny ability to buy more comics than
he can afford. Visit his website at http://www.pmpknface.com
or drop him an email at: pmpknface@hotmail.com
|
