I have a friend who recently got out of a long-term relationship and within days, found herself in a new one. As I listen to her extol his virtues and let her cry on my shoulder (via telephone), I can't help but wonder if she's with this new guy because she's falling for him, or if she's in the relationship just because she wants to be in any relationship. I have friends who have gone their entire lives without being alone at all; breaks between romances last days, not months. And as I read the first issue of Three Days in Europe, I thought of them. Johnston's examination of these two characters also opens the door to look at modern relationships and why one person might connect with another.
Advertising salesman Jack Pentura has stumbled upon the perfect anniversary gift for his live-in girlfriend: a three-day trip to Paris centering around her passion: art. And Jill Boscombe, the girlfriend in question, has stumbled upon the perfect anniversary gift for Jack: a three-day trip to London centering around a performance by his favorite band. Sparks fly when the two lovers learn of each other's plans.
Every now and then, I'm stunned by what a profound effect that Bruce (the Justice League cartoon) Timm has had on the comics industry. His influence is apparent in many artists' work, and that holds true with Mike Hawthorne's as well. Animation art clearly plays a big part in his approach to comics storytelling. In addition Timm's style, I see Disney and Hanna-Barbera influences as well. He boasts a simple and clear style, but it's also well grounded. The characters are attractive, yes, but they're not portrayed as uber-examples of physical beauty either. They seem like normal folks.
Here's a concept... a romance comic that's really not all that romantic. Johnston offers up a couple of strong character studies and examines their relationship by means of a rather over-the-top plot. It's best to ignore the plot -- it stretches credibility pretty far -- and focus on what it allows us to learn about the characters.
Maybe he plans to take it in a different and more traditionally romantic direction, but I like the unconventional stance that Johnston takes in this first issue: that some people are clearly not meant to be together. Jack and Jill have nothing in common, and it seems as though they don't even like one another. They're in a relationship because that's what society has dictated, and at this early point, it seems as though they'd be happier alone as opposed to together.
Yes, I'm single. Why do you ask?
