Book Review: Flight Volume One

Basic Information:

Format: Graphic Novel Anthology
Authors: Various
Illustrators: Various
Publisher: Image Comics
ISBN-10: 1582403813

Synopsis: A volume of visually arresting illustrated stories on the topic of flight from a wide variety of artists. Pretty self-explanatory really. Everything from high fantasy to indie relationship comics to steampunk and more, so long as it soars above the earth, it might well be in here.


Flight is one of those books that you have to read yourself to really understand. Like many anthologies, you'll find some items that you like a lot more than others, but unlike many of these anthology books, Flight is jam-packed with incredibly high production values and consistently well written stories.

As mentioned in the Synopsis, the unifying theme for Flight is, well, flying. It doesn't matter what sort of flying, or who is doing the flying, so long taking to the skies is involved. Some stories simply try to describe the act and joy of flying itself; others tell adventure tales, or explore the human condition using flight as a metaphor.

The other unifying theme for Flight is artistic quality. Almost with exception, every story is jam packed with gorgeous, somethings heart-breakingly gorgeous artwork. If ever you wanted to just gaze on a bunch of beautiful comics, this is the place to start.

Some highlights:

Hugo Earhart by Jake Parker
--Gorgeous art with a high-adventure story.

Outside My Window by Khang Le
--A wonderful story in a bottle about love and captivity.

Faith by Erika Moen/Hope Larson
--Moving, short, and something I could not disagree more with, ideologically. I love it anyway.

Beneath the Leaves - Jump by Rad Sechrist
--Lighthearted fun that makes you long for better cartoons in general

I Wish by Vera Brusgol
--Great story about dreams, growing up, and facing a strange, strange world.

I have to stop or I'll recommend just about all of them. Pick it up already.

Pros:
--Fantastic Art, Stories
--Wide Selection of Topics and Authors

Cons:
--Hmm. It doesn't come with free cocaine?

Rating: 5/5