Writer~Rick Remender
Artist~Greg Tocchini
Last issue, I was giving someone “less than impressed face” over the cover. Tochhi’s art is swell. I just rolled my eyes at the what was going on on the cover. This time around, I sat in awe gazing at the cover in appreciation…until I saw the tentacles…oh God, the tentacles. I don’t know about you but comic book covers and tentacles don’t go along well together since… this.
When the end of Issue #1 hinted at Shel becoming the protagonist: my heart leaped with joy. When first picking up this series, I wasn’t sure what to expect and I certainly wasn’t expecting that there would be a female main character that the story revolved around. But as fellow BNP comrade and writer Oz told as I relayed to him what a nice “twist” this was, he replied in turn: “Remender has a tendency to throw curveballs in terms of shifting character pov.” I suppose so and as the story continues to evolve, Shel plants herself firmly to be a woman of action and she takes lead here. Last issue it was mentioned that a probe finally came back and while everyone tells her that she’s crazy for believing, for hoping, she remains steadfast. She’s a woman on a mission.
Shel manages to get her son Marc who last issue, found himself in a heap of trouble out from behind bars and stowed away on a ship with her. She has to walk through a den of debauchery and orgies to get to a senator who will grant her access to what she needs and his words serve as a reminder of how low everyone has sank. It is estimated that there is only a six month lease on life for all of them: the air is so toxic after being recycled again and again, it will be fatal to all of them soon. The upper class are keeping most of the remaining resources to themselves: food is scare and crime is up.
Tochhi’s art makes you feel small. Little a tiny star that dwells within an entire galaxy. I allowed my eyes to travel down the panels and find myself transported somewhere else. Transported to a place that is familiar—under the sea but still so very new and eyeopening.
Three issues in and I’m too captivated by this story and where it will take us. Shel has a beautiful moment with Marc where she urges him to leave the underwater vessel that they were traveling in ) and come out into the water (in a wet suit with oxygen tank, mind you) He is too scared, too heavy with doubt and guilt. He tells her that he doesn’t deserve a second chance, he’s doing terrible things and should pay for them.
One could argue that Low is boring. One could say that it moves too slow. I say that it is moving at a pace that is just fine. Moments like this move me as a reader and make me appreciate what’s under the surface. I know we are still in the early rise of the story here but the build up is marvelous and well worth reading through. I’m really looking forward to reading what’s next for Shel and Marc on the next stop in their journey. Shel’s optimism can only carry them so far and I can only guess what real life dangers will manifest in front of them as obstacles as they move forward.
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