OUT THERE #9
"The Road to El Dorado, Chapter 3: Twisting Roads"
Mildly Recommended (5/10)
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DC Comics/Wildstorm Productions/Cliffhanger! imprint
Writer: Brian Augustyn
Pencils: Humberto Ramos
Inks: Sandra Hope
Colors: Studio F
Letters: Sergio Garcia
Editor: Scott Dunbier
Price: $2.95 US/$4.95 CAN |
I haven't visited the world od Out There since the first issue. I've missed a lot in the issues that have followed, it would seem (as it would stand to reason), and after reading this latest issue, I'm at something of a loss to know exactly what's going on. Mind you, the issue is a bit more accessible than I expected, and it's piqued my interest again. On top of that, it boasts the exaggerated and sharp art of Humberto Ramos, whose work continues to impress.
Four teenagers -- the last that remains of their hometown -- along with their adult protectors and homeless children they've taken in along the way arrive in Sterling City, Arizona, home to a wild west stunt show. They're taking a break from their quest to find their parents. As Reverend Becky meets one of her contacts, a shattered soul comes to believe that the bespectabled Mark is his dead son, Denny, and he decides it's time for a family reunion.
There are many artists in the industry right now with styles similar to that of Humberto Ramos. Ale (Ninja Boy) Garza's is reminiscent of his work, and Paco (Suicide Squad) Medina's could be mistaken for Ramos's stuff. Here, it's clear why Ramos stands out in front of the pack. He blends large orbs with sharp angles to achieve an exaggerated, but dynamic and expressive style. Hope's crisp inks add to the effect, and Studio F's textured colors add more atmosphere and greater depth to the visuals.
There's a lot going on in this book, and the bulk of it represents intelligent, mysterious plotting. Augustyn hints at an underground network among clergy that strikes me as clever and full of storytelling potential. The characters all boast strong personalities, and the dialogue achieves a nice balance between gravity and fun. While Ramos and Augustyn's Crimson didn't appeal to me all that much with its monstrous characters, Out There, despite its supernatural plot elements, seems to have both feet planted on the ground.
Though the subplot about the man haunted by his dead wife and the memory of the car accident that slew her and their son was interesting and drew me into the story, I really did need a little more guidance when it came to the core story elements. I wondered how Becky and Abel hooked up with the kids, or why the group took in the homeless children. I found myself asking those questions and many more, and a brief "Previously In Out There..." blurb on the inside-front cover would have really enhanced my appreciation of this book.
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