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SLOW NEWS DAY #2
Highly Recommended (10/10)
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Slave Labor Graphics
Writer/Artist: Andi Watson
Price: $3.50 US |
That it took me until Breakfast After Noon to really recognize Watson's talent was a shame. That his talent still isn't widely known in the comics mainstream is a crime. Because Slow News Day is easily one of
the best comics on the stands right now, a simple story about cultural clashes
and everyday work that manages to be incredibly engaging despite what many would
call mundane subject matter. Though the story is ostensibly about an American
girl coming to work at a small British newspaper, Watson is using the story to
explore culture differences between America and England, the dynamics of
personal relationships and questions about what people want out of life, in work
and at home.
Katharine, our protagonist, has arrived and
upset a lot of status quo matters as well as exacerbating already-existing
conflicts. Her conflicts with Owen are always interesting to watch, and with her
outsider's point-of-view, we're seeing old conflicts like the relationship
between Owen and Nic or the struggle for budget and space through fresh eyes.
It's also interesting that the conflicts are multi-layered. For example,
Katharine and Owen argue over health care, but in addition to arguing about the
values of their respective nations' approaches, they are also arguing about the
new wrinkles that working together has added to the day-to-day business of both.
And Owen and Nic's conflicts are both personal and professional, ranging from
Owen's choice to live at home to the conflict between their two jobs. The result
is a small and easily-managed core of characters but no end of story potential.
Watson's artwork has grown with everything
he has done, and his work here is simply beautiful. Through the use of a few
simple lines, Watson expresses everything, and his angular, distinctive style is
always nice to see. He captures small movements, like a glare from Owen at the
editorial meeting, or the reaction as Owen discovers Katharine's script,
perfectly.
In addition to the ongoing conflicts between
the characters, this issue introduces a new facet for Katharine, one that I
wasn't expecting. She seems to have more than one ulterior motive for coming to
the Mercury. Whereas last issue hinted that her mother had some former
relationship with the paper, this issue we learn that she's doing research for a
script. What started out as a girl learning the ropes of journalism has taken on
new meaning, and I'm curious to see what new wrinkles will develop as the series
goes on.
Watson's previous work, Breakfast After Noon, was universally lauded by a variety of critics who often disagree. Readers should check out Slow News Day to see why he earned such acclaim, and why
he's likely to do so again.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review. |
