|
|
|
Skye Runner #1
Book Released: 26 Apr 2006
Review posted: 27 Apr 2006
Writer: Allen Warner
Artist: Ale' Garza, pencils
Artist: Covers: Garza, Lee, D'Anda, Friend
Letters: Rob Leigh
Ink: Richard Friend
Colors: Jim Charalampidis
Publisher: Wildstorm Productions
2.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by J. W. DeBolt Jr.
|
|
To the consternation of writers everywhere, each plotline can be categorized into one of only seven types, and this is clearly one of them: A young girl wants to be a warrior like her father, her father dies, and she finds an opportunity to fulfill her lifelong dream of being one of the guys — or becoming better than them by achieving her father’s goals.
The first half of the book sets up the locale — the stereotypical fantasy-world medieval-style village, except with guns — and introduces the characters — Skye, her sister Lynn, her niece and nephew playing “bag the bipper,” and Sir Walter who leads what’s left of the knights in town.
Fortunately, when crisis time comes, we find that the protagonist Skye has practiced sword fighting and marksmanship faithfully for years, so she’s ready to battle whatever confronts her.
I didn’t feel much of an emotional investment in the characters; they’re kind of like stock characters drawn from The Fantasy Genre. I’ve really had enough of reading about men’s and women’s roles in life, whether they appear in fantasy or in superhero comicbooks. Don’t we all know by now that in fiction the heroine can do what she wants despite her assigned gender role? That in the end she will break out of that role and achieve
If you’re looking for a typical fantasy, then this will serve.
|
self-fulfillment? So you all but know where this story will go.
I felt the writer targeted this book toward kids until the “boobs” references came up, but that section is amusing and inoffensive, and I like that it makes fun of the traditional skimpy outfit these fantasy women all seem to don. The depiction of the “god” is good — confusing, but semi-original. The late introduction of a seminal character in the story, in order to provide the cliffhanger, is mitigated by the earlier mention of his kind and their history, and it does leave you wondering what will become of Skye. The story is mildly interesting and the writer could yet surprise us in the next issue. The linework and colors are dynamic and serve the story well
The similar current storyline in Dynamite’s Red Sonja, where Sonja takes a young girl under her wing to help her become a warrior, is better. I suppose if you want another role model to add the young-girl-who-becomes-a-warrior-woman crowd, you could use Skye Runner. If you’re looking for a typical fantasy, then this will serve.
—CCdC—
|
|
