I’ve set up almost this list or line-up of graphic novels I’m interested in purchasing and then reading. I keep hearing about The War At Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks. Rather, I keep reading things about it or seeing something on SLG Publishing’s website. Somehow I automatically simultaneously became aware of Zombies Calling, Hicks’ first published work. Zombies Calling appealed to me more than The War At Ellsmere when I read up on them both, and it seemed like a good starting point for some reason, so I went and ordered myself a copy.
I was surprised at how short it was. I guess I just expected something that takes a while to read, but maybe I have to get that idea out of my head. With my first looks inside at the pages, I wasn’t sure of the art style. It’s unique. After re-reading the beginning twice, her style really started to appeal to me. I breezed through half the book without realizing it. Tonight I finished the rest of the book in similar fashion, though I was more aware of where I was in relation to the total number of pages.
What I like most about Zombies Calling, I think, is the style in which the characters like Joss are done. Their expressions, with those big eyes, and their lips. Fine lines creating detail within bold outlines that are everywhere. What I thought was strange at first I soon came to love. As well, at first I thought the writing was going to get to me. It was something about the way Joss (the protagonist) talked about zombie movies, I don’t know. Well, it turns out the writing didn’t get to me, and in fact I really enjoyed some exchanges, such as Joss and Sonnet in bed. The art really helped, though. As for the actual zombies, I think the comedic style of the zombies works well, though they didn’t make me laugh so much, personally. They were more than enough to portray “Zombie!” however, and they certainly don’t look like something you want clambering all over you.
I think that the book really is held together well, with just this really nice arc of story, intro to action to ending. By the end, I felt like Joss was an excellent character with her own world. I like the ending given to the book. I felt the little epilogue was a nice way to treat Joss.
Next on my list: Whistles Volume One: The Starlight Calliope.
[...] So I made a new post at the Tome of Writs. It’s all about this graphic novel by Faith Erin Hicks that I just [...]