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A review by gregisdead121_
Spectators by Brian K. Vaughan
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
After bingeing ''Saga'' in March after AJ put me on I had to get more Brian K. Vaughn. And lucky for me(so I thought ) his most recent series was advertised on the addendum of this comic. The premise is the kind that pulls you in, revolving around a passive afterlife where the dead become peeping toms. Turning what is often used as a comforting thought like ''*insert dead loved ones name * is watching over you right now'' into a debauched violation of the livings boundaries...even as I type this I'm immediately curious about that book. I want to read that, not what ever this mess ultimately becomes *sigh *.
The first three pages of this graphic novel are unquestionably brilliant : a girl waiting for a date at the cinema sit in a movie theater on her phone, the date cancels due to being swamped at work - she's disappointed but decides to watch the movie. And for at least 1 minute she does until the gunshots ring. Is it part of the movie? No, it is a cacophony from their real life . A man in a mask walks in and shoots those present in a scene eerily reminiscent of The Dark Knight'' massacre of the 2000's,the main character being the last to go. My blood was racing, I was so amped. If this was just three pages in what would follow should be phenomenal...right? Nope. The narrative evaporates almost immediate ,once it transitions into the afterlife the story dies. In this grey world of disaffected , crass and very horny ghosts nothing matters. All there is to do is to watch, and as it seems most of them choose to watch people fuck. The comic is predominately constructed with instances like these, moments of sex and cringe edgelordy humor. In this comic the writer seems too concerned with shocking the audience and evoking the present in a way that feels uncharacteristically cynical when compared to ''Saga's'' millennial charm . That is what ultimately made me so disaffected with this entire run, how false it felt both in the characterization's and fates that befall its cast. A premise like this could have been used to efficiently comment on our post social media performance culture where not only do we like watching others but surveil ourselves for the entertainment of strangers...it could've been used to explore how an after life where there is nothing to do but dwell on the life you can't live can warp and affect you for the worst until you can accept your reality and let go. Nope. That is not what happens here, the Rest In Peace Dept has more nuance and it freaking has Ryan Reynolds as its protagonist[derogatory] .
I do not recommend. Felt like a poor excuse for the writer and author to draw people fucking in great detail...guess drawing Prince Robot IV's hung grey cock on Saga issue #12 wasn't enough. Mind you I am not a prude, when writers get freaky and start illustrating their kinks I will probably be cheering them on from the bleachers. But I can only match their freak if it is supported with a compelling narrative and substance. This isn't xxxhamster or badly written mid10's Wattpad smut, it is a series by an incomparable screenwriter and author . This should be better .
The first three pages of this graphic novel are unquestionably brilliant : a girl waiting for a date at the cinema sit in a movie theater on her phone, the date cancels due to being swamped at work - she's disappointed but decides to watch the movie. And for at least 1 minute she does until the gunshots ring. Is it part of the movie? No, it is a cacophony from their real life . A man in a mask walks in and shoots those present in a scene eerily reminiscent of The Dark Knight'' massacre of the 2000's,the main character being the last to go. My blood was racing, I was so amped. If this was just three pages in what would follow should be phenomenal...right? Nope. The narrative evaporates almost immediate ,once it transitions into the afterlife the story dies. In this grey world of disaffected , crass and very horny ghosts nothing matters. All there is to do is to watch, and as it seems most of them choose to watch people fuck. The comic is predominately constructed with instances like these, moments of sex and cringe edgelordy humor. In this comic the writer seems too concerned with shocking the audience and evoking the present in a way that feels uncharacteristically cynical when compared to ''Saga's'' millennial charm . That is what ultimately made me so disaffected with this entire run, how false it felt both in the characterization's and fates that befall its cast. A premise like this could have been used to efficiently comment on our post social media performance culture where not only do we like watching others but surveil ourselves for the entertainment of strangers...it could've been used to explore how an after life where there is nothing to do but dwell on the life you can't live can warp and affect you for the worst until you can accept your reality and let go. Nope. That is not what happens here, the Rest In Peace Dept has more nuance and it freaking has Ryan Reynolds as its protagonist[derogatory] .
I do not recommend. Felt like a poor excuse for the writer and author to draw people fucking in great detail...guess drawing Prince Robot IV's hung grey cock on Saga issue #12 wasn't enough. Mind you I am not a prude, when writers get freaky and start illustrating their kinks I will probably be cheering them on from the bleachers. But I can only match their freak if it is supported with a compelling narrative and substance. This isn't xxxhamster or badly written mid10's Wattpad smut, it is a series by an incomparable screenwriter and author . This should be better .