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Bizarre New World: Population Explosion
Ape Entertainment |
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This review is actually a pretty easy one to write as reading Bizarre New World: Population Explosion, the sequel to the acclaimed 2007 mini-series from Ape Entertainment, is very much like visiting an old friend or returning to a comfortable spot you know well. I reviewed the first Bizarre New World mini-series back in May of 2007 and flat out loved it. You can still find that previous review here on the site [review] and I invite you to give it a read. I think it makes a solid case for why you should consider the upcoming Bizarre New World: Population Explosion graphic novel pure, must read, comic goodness.
Bizarre New World: Population Explosion picks up right where the first series ended. That three issue mini focused on Paul Krutcher, a man who suddenly found himself possessing the ability to fly. It was a story grounded in real world science with a personality and heart to it that transcended the subject matter and spoke to me as a reader. The story drew you into the experience of flight by providing a sense of wonder you don't get to enjoy often enough these days. The story also had one of the more immediately identifiable main characters I've seen in quite some time. That same quality of presentation, emotion and attention to detail is back with a vengeance in this follow-up and I'm very glad to see it published and in reader's hands this coming April.
The first series ended with a solid plot twist. By the final issue, Paul wasn't alone in the skies as the entire human race suddenly gained the same ability of flight which our lovable everyman was struggling to explore and understand. On that final page, everyone is taking to the sky which set the stage quite nicely for this sequel.
The story represented in Population Explosion begins mere moments later as a frantic call sends Paul on a cross-country journey to rescue the thing that matters most in the world... his son Sean. This story deals with that journey, what has actually happened to his son and that magical and, as it turns out, sometimes horrific first few hours following humanity's big leap forward into what can only be described as a truly Bizarre New World.
Before I get too deep into talking about this follow-up graphic novel, I will admit up front that I am completely biased toward the title. That said, I think my bias is rooted in an honest first impression of the initial series which allows me to still write this review with a fair eye. In the initial mini-series I found a book I enjoyed immensely. After reading it, I made a conscious decision to support the title though my site. I did it because I honestly felt that strong about the story, the art, the concept and the presentation and it's one of those titles I would not only like to see succeed, but I would like to see my friends reading.
Since that first review, I've had the good fortune to get to know series writer/creator Skipper Martin. We talk by e-mail, have met once and, when it came time to put together this sequel, he actually shared his script and asked me to give him feedback on the story. I did my best to share my thoughts. It was the first time I've been offered the chance to comment on a series while still in the creation stage and I was honored. In the end, Skipper paid me the ultimate compliment when he wrote me into the story by name [details] as a radio personality who comments on the state of the world as Paul begins his journey to find his son. I actually discovered this while reading the story for this review and it's about as cool a surprise as I've experienced in the world of comics.
Getting back to the review, in this story all the elements of the first series are still present and the same creative team (Skipper Martin, Christopher Provencher, and Wes Dzioba) remain at the helm making the transition from series to series utterly seamless.
In the first story, Paul was the focal point of an examination of real world flight. This time, it's the rest of humanity that shows us just how fundamental this change could be for society. To the story's credit, the transition from an individual focus to a societal focus doesn't loose the heart that remains at the center of the story.
Here, the world is exploding with activity. (I can only image the sling in which artist Christopher Provencher's arm must now reside as it heals after drawing ALL THOSE PEOPLE in the sky throughout this double sized issue.) At the center of the story is a father struggling to see his son. The desperation is real, the exhaustion along the way is palpable and the resolution (we're not going to spoil it here) is satisfying.
Attention to detail is quickly becoming a hallmark of the Bizarre New World series. The story opens with Paul exploring the nuances of flight at an indoor skydiving center and grounds what comes later in physics. When Paul visits his home, you can see the pressured decision making process in action. Through the voice of the narrator, the title asks interesting questions about how people would react and the situations they would find themselves in when given the gift of flight. How would it impact fuel usage? What would happen as individuals interact with traditional air traffic? What happens when your toddler flies away? Power lines, prison breaks and peeping toms are just the start? It's a whole new world out there and this series does a great job of presenting it to the reader.
In Paul, it's easy to see yourself. His frustrations, joys, excitement and everyman qualities are universal, honestly written and fun. There is no denying, this is a great concept and an outstandingly executed series.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I think I'll let this picture from the series sum up my feelings for this return to Bizarre New World. It proves fitting...
Bizarre New World: Population Explosion
Order code: FEB083454
