You have to give the Devil's Due crew credit... they've used the unexpected commercial success of G.I.Joe to launch more personal, diverse projects, and I think Misplaced may be their best one yet. The subject matter is familiar, but the message -- while far from subtle -- is strong and clear and encouraging. This is a light, fun sci-fi romp that should prove to be of interest to an audience that comicdom finds a bit elusive -- teenage girls. Had Misplaced been released a month earlier, it would have made an excellent Free Comic Book Day selection to place in the hands of non-comics readers.
As far as futuristic, floating cities go, Realm 77 is as peaceful a place as one could imagine. Order is the order of each and every day, and everyone goes about their lives quietly, fulfilling the roles set out for them. Sounds boring, doesn't it? Well, Alyssa certainly thinks so. She hates comformity, and she doesn't see why a life of routine is so desirable. She questions the world around her, and she has dreams of a simpler world pull of puppies and pop culture. Alyssa isn't like everyone else, but her differences are far more profound than she ever imagined.
Manga meets Mike Avon Oeming's style in the artwork here, and it captures the irreverent and energetic personality of the main character wonderfully. I love the bright colors that dominate Realm 77. While life in Realm 77 is boring and restrictive, there's still a vibrant quality to the setting's appearance, a celebration of accomplishment that makes for a nice balance with the rigid social structure. The Arf design is delightful as well. My only qualm with the artwork is the choice to show Alyssa changing clothes, spotlighting her breasts for a moment. That T&A element works against the more innocent tone of the script. In fact, I can't help but wonder if the story might have been even stronger if Alyssa had been a bit younger. Instead of a shapely teenage girl, I think it would have been even more powerful to show a 10- or 11-year-old exercising a yen for individuality and adventure.
If anything, Blaylock's script is too effective when it comes to conveying the story's themes. By the end of page one, the reader is well aware that Alyssa is a social rebel, and that she lives in a strict society. Thematically, Blaylock doesn't really give himself any room to develop the ideas. He keeps things moving along nicely with some action, though, and the mystery of Alyssa's true nature.
I find the message here -- that's it's good to question the world around yourself and to reject conformity -- to be quite encouraging. It makes this comic book a natural choice for younger readers as well.
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
