Friday 7 October 2011

Books: Echo

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Echo
Vol 1: Moon Lake
By Terry Moore

2008




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Echo
Vol 2: Atomic Dreams
By Terry Moore

2009




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Echo
Vol 3: Desert Run
By Terry Moore

2009




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Echo
Vol 4: Collider
By Terry Moore

2010




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Echo
Vol 5: Black Hole
By Terry Moore

2010




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Echo
Vol 6: The Last Day
By Terry Moore

2011




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

It starts with a woman. A woman strapped to a jet-pack wearing a futurist all-in-one chrome suit. Being chased by a couple of fighter jets. Screaming. Cursing. Missiles. All culminating in a big fat big fat explosion.

Seeing how this comes from Terry Moore - who carved his name across a thousand hearts with his tender epic Strangers in Paradise: it's a bit unexpected - but I was sold nonetheless (because that's the kind of guy I am - give me jet-packs and fighter jets and explosions and I'm all: yum yum yum). The thing that makes it more than just tasty empty-headed action movie treats however (which includes such staples as: secret government agencies, evil corporations, cutting -edge science and a mis-matched couple on the run) is the care and attention given to the people doing all the running around and blowing things up. If most stories of this ilk are high in sugar and artificial preservatives junk food: then this is organically grown vegan friendly alternative - that's got storytelling goodness that makes it feel like it's good for you. And you always feel better after having eaten a good meal.

Although there were some things that got stuck in my teeth a little. I know that this is a little niggle - but the earnest quotes at the start of every issue got a little much (I know Watchmen does the same thing - but it kinda felt like the quotes it used had a certain sense of gravitas - even if it was just Bobby Dylan - while here it feels more like reading something from a quote of the day calendar or the back of a school-kid's exercise book).

The artwork is very white and spacious (although of course that might just be because most of it is set in a desert) and like with Strangers in Paradise - it feels less like you're looking at drawings and more like watching actors.

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Links: PopMatters Interview, Comicbook Resources Article, Page 45 Review of Vol 1 / Vol 2 / Vol 3 / Vol 4 / Vol 5 / Vol 6.

Further reading: Strangers in Paradise, The Sword, Y: The Last Man, Rasl, FreakAngels.

All comments welcome.

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