Hello! Welcome to the space on the internet where Carl Randers, Jack Stevens, and I get together and discuss a comic that we recently read. I like to call it ‘Comic Relief‘! Last time, we were loath to discuss Preacher Book One, written by Garth Ennis with art by Steve Dillon and this time we’re discussing Skyward, Vol. 1: My Low-G Life, written by Joe Henderson, with art by Lee Garbett.
According to the official plot synopsis, the story of Skyward goes like this: ‘One day, gravity on Earth suddenly became a fraction of what it is now. Twenty years later, humanity has adapted to its new low-gravity reality. And to Willa Fowler, who was born just after G-day, it’s pretty awesome. You can fly through the air! I mean, sure, you can also die if you jump too high. So you just don’t jump too high. And maybe don’t get mixed up in your dad’s secret plan to bring gravity back that could get you killed…’
I don’t want to give too much away at the start but I really enjoyed this one, I think we all did, but it might be one of my favorites so far and, I fully intend to read the rest of the series. Let’s dig into it!
Randers: It was a palette cleanser for sure. It was, no pun intended, very light and breezy reading. Easy to follow story. Straight-forward characters. It felt almost like a “pitch” for something more in-depth if that makes sense.
Jack: I need time to like reflect…But if this isn’t my favorite so far, it’s definitely up there. What a fun world to explore and discover all the new rules of. It felt like Portal or Gravity Rush, or some sort of video games like that.
Nick: They introduced the world, the hero, the call to adventure all very effectively, and then we’re off to the races with a really cool concept.
Jack: Like using guns for travel/safety, the storm bubbles, gravity boots, I loved it all. Quick, easy, good characters, motivations make sense, great art style. I legitimately have zero complaints.
Nick: 100%. I liked every single bit of it and this is the first one I genuinely want to continue with. I will likely buy the next one soon.
Jack: I don’t think I will on my own recreationally, but the whole time I thought about how I would definitely read more of this. It would make such a sick anime or something.
Randers: Yeah! Totally some sort of streaming “series.” Like I said. Lotta great concepts just dropped for the writer to pick up or someone else. And very simple too. “Gravity is gone. Now what.”
Jack: Yeah! Love love love it. It’s just such a fun world/universe. So much you can do with that concept. And the deaths of floating up into space are so cinematic and like… grandiose.
Randers: Yes… for the specific story though…. It was fine.
Nick: Yeah, it felt like we will only be attached to this character and have a revolving cast in the future. It was also a weirdly applicable allegory for pandemic life. They’re all cliches obviously, but like the rich pretending nothing has changed while the rest of the world is forced to adapt. It’s also similar to modern-day because it forces people to remain tethered to buildings, the ground, or their home – kind of how we’re tethered to our homes and traveling has become more difficult.
Randers: Ok. I can see that… literally tied down. The art was spectacular. I was surprised I hadn’t seen his work before (on a long run) on a “high profile” book.
Nick: Yeah really gorgeous art and so many opportunities for awesome action panels. It’s like a whole comic of that shot from Spider-Verse where Miles is upside down.
Jack: That’s such a good way to put it.
Randers: It looks like there are two more volumes so the series definitely continues.
Nick: I’ll def be picking them up.
Randers: Oh! You liked it that much. I think it was too light and airy for me (pun pun pun) but I do like that it exists!
Jack: It’s definitely one of my favorites so far.
Nick: The lightness is part of what draws me to it. Quick and easy to get caught up and maybe keep up with it as new trades come out (if it is indeed still going). Def my fave non-Marvel thing so far.
Randers: High praise!! What would you want out of those future volumes? What of the world and what of the characters we’ve met?
Jack: I feel like the whole point is for her to leave the city. Which is interesting on its own. What does this look like in smaller towns? Forests? What does that world and its people look like?
Nick: Exactly what I’d want. I wanna see some cross-country travel (locomotives we’re mentioned in this issue). Forests, deserts, what do the oceans look like now?
Randers: So you’re fine with more of a road trip in general with shenanigans along the way, than a straight-up quest where she needs to get to x.
Nick: I imagine it as one main quest with many numerous side quests along the way. But yeah, strong road trip adventure vibes.
That’s all folks!
As a reminder, we try to pick comics that are easily accessible (both to get ahold of and to understand) so anything we read is available through ComiXology (which is owned by Amazon, just FYI), both Marvel and DC have their own digital comic sources, or you can support your local comic shop by picking up a hardcopy (I highly recommend Destiny City Comics in Tacoma, WA, who ship anywhere) so feel free to follow along and chime in with your thoughts, feelings, concerns, or considerations in the comments!
Next time on Comic Relief, in a Spook-tacular double feature, we will be reading: 30 Days of Night, Vol 1 and 30 Days of Night: Return to Barrow, both written by Steve Niles with art by Ben Templesmith.
Continue the conversation on social media:
Me: @NickIsRadford
Carl Randers: @FantasticDork
Jack Stevens: @Jackstandsup
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