Scan barcode
A review by eoghann
The High Ways by John Byrne
2.0
The High Ways is one of comics legend John Byrne's latest books. Which he both writes and draws. Which is either good or bad depending on how much you like John Byrne I suppose.
There's no doubt that his impact on comics in the 70s, 80s and 90s was substantial. But his visibility has dropped significantly over the years although he has continued to work primarily at smaller publishers like IDW. To my mind this book shows both the good and bad points of Byrne's more recent work.
In terms of story telling clarity and just basic cartooning _The High Ways_ is hard to beat. It's easy to follow, there's no confusion about what's going on or who is who. The man undoubtedly knows his craft. The book looks like a John Byrne book in every way you might expect.
But that's also a problem because this book looks dated. The panel layouts, the vast numbers of word balloons, the character's clothing. It feels like something from the 80s or early 90s. And this is 2013.
That dated feel extends to the dialogue as well. Everything is explained. Everything. Part of it may be Byrne wanting to emphasize the details, risks and complexities of space flight, but it reminded me of a 1950s style sci-fi pulp novel.
The notion that even a rookie navigator would be so ill prepared for space that every single little thing would have to be explained to him in detail doesn't really stand up. And yet that's exactly what we are presented with.
The story begins as a "Welcome to space rookie!" adventure and then we start to get mysteries, twists and more twists. So it develops nicely and keeps you guessing effectively. But at the same time we get no depth to the characterization at all. We really don't feel for any of these characters even when they are betrayed. Because they're all a walking cliche. Grouchy captain who only cares about money; rookie; cynical veteran. There's even an evil scientist in the mix!
I didn't dislike the book. It's competently done. It just feels like something from another time.
There's no doubt that his impact on comics in the 70s, 80s and 90s was substantial. But his visibility has dropped significantly over the years although he has continued to work primarily at smaller publishers like IDW. To my mind this book shows both the good and bad points of Byrne's more recent work.
In terms of story telling clarity and just basic cartooning _The High Ways_ is hard to beat. It's easy to follow, there's no confusion about what's going on or who is who. The man undoubtedly knows his craft. The book looks like a John Byrne book in every way you might expect.
But that's also a problem because this book looks dated. The panel layouts, the vast numbers of word balloons, the character's clothing. It feels like something from the 80s or early 90s. And this is 2013.
That dated feel extends to the dialogue as well. Everything is explained. Everything. Part of it may be Byrne wanting to emphasize the details, risks and complexities of space flight, but it reminded me of a 1950s style sci-fi pulp novel.
The notion that even a rookie navigator would be so ill prepared for space that every single little thing would have to be explained to him in detail doesn't really stand up. And yet that's exactly what we are presented with.
The story begins as a "Welcome to space rookie!" adventure and then we start to get mysteries, twists and more twists. So it develops nicely and keeps you guessing effectively. But at the same time we get no depth to the characterization at all. We really don't feel for any of these characters even when they are betrayed. Because they're all a walking cliche. Grouchy captain who only cares about money; rookie; cynical veteran. There's even an evil scientist in the mix!
I didn't dislike the book. It's competently done. It just feels like something from another time.