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KISSING CHAOS #5
Recommended (8/10)
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Oni Press
Writer/Artist: Arthur Dela Cruz
Editor: Jamie S. Rich
Price: $2.25 US |
Dela Cruz's odd tale of extreme teen angst takes another turn in this issue, as he begins to explore in greater depth one of the characters. He also reveals a little bit more about another character's motives, and it makes for a rich read, due in no small part to the continued dream-like quality of the storytelling structure.
With Angela adrift in dark memories and dreams of a better life, Raevyn -- craving some attention and an end to her boredom -- opens up a bit to Damien. He proves to be unreceptive to her ramblings, though, as he's got more pressing concerns on his mind. As she pressures him for details of his crimes and about his relationship with Angela, the latter spies her two travelling companions together, and she's not pleased with the scene she witnesses.
Raevyn continues to stand out as the most interesting and down-to-earth character in this series, and that's probably because she's the most talkative. She finally shows a tender side here. We discover that she has a desire to be close to people, but her defenses are always in high-gear so that she pushes them away or runs. The refreshing thing about her is that she is well aware of her problem.
Dela Cruz's art boasts both an exaggerated tone and a realistic one all at once. The characters all exhibit a thoroughly genuine quality... in the way they look, the way they move. But one cannot deny that there's a twisted simplicity to the figures as well. The darkness of the art reinforces the foreboding haze that envelops the story, especially Angela's visions of her past and her altered perception of the present.
Though I find Raevyn easier to relate to, Angela's dreams and perceptions bring a sense of mystery and gravity to the book from which the main atmosphere stems. The plot finds its roots in Damien's actions, and to a lesser extent, Raevyn's, but it's clear that Dela Cruz is building to something. I get the distinct impression that Angela is ready to explode, and I can't wait to see what form that explosion will take.
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