Giant Days #39
Boom! Studios
Writer: John Allison
Artist: Julia Madrigal
Giant Days is an extremely consistent series when it comes to quality and never fails to deliver. The writer and creator, John Allison succeeds in bringing to the reader wit, humor, drama, and character development, all the while setting up future issues.
The story, which is as character-driven as ever, is incredible. The main characters are at the recruitment fair, and each character goes through their own mini-arc. Daisy and Esther’s arc is well done. Daisy thinks she will have no jobs, and in the end, receives too many, while the opposite happens to Esther. While Daisy not being the optimist is strange, it has happened before, and it is always interesting when she is down. Susan and McGraw’s arc is extremely sweet and showcases both of their characters at their best when they try to do right by the other. McGraw simply wants to stay with Susan and is willing to go to any end to do this, while Susan just wants him to be happy with his hobby. The issue also succeeds in setting up future conflicts.
The characters are the best part of this issue and switch from believable to incredulous whenever the plot demands it, allowing the characters to evoke the right amount of emotion at that particular moment. This has been, and will probably always be the greatest strength of John Allison. He can make it grounded enough so that it is believable, yet surreal enough to keep us gripped, changing the balance all the time to have it be perfect.
The art, while simplistic and not detailed, works well for this comic. If it was too detailed, it would possibly be too grounded for this comic, which often requires the artist to be humorous, or fantastical. Julia Madrigal and Whitney Cogar, who do the art and the colors respectively, succeed in creating an aura that can only be defined as lush, warm, and fantastical when it needs to be. I have nothing but praise for the art, apart from one aspect: Certain faces in this comic seem off, yet this may be due to artistic style. Still, this is simply a minor problem.
Giant Days #39
Giant Days succeeds as ever, with an engaging story, evolving characters, and wonderful art.
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