Comic Review: Giant Days #45

Giant Days #45

BOOM! Studios

Writer:John Allison

Artist: Max Sarin & Jeremy Lawson

Valentine’s Day is over (At least in Giant Days), and our favorite characters are starting to settle into their relationships (Or lack of). The last few issues of Giant Days have been pretty emotional and drama-filled, but things should finally be calming down for everyone.

It wouldn’t be Giant Days if that was a true statement.

In Giant Days #45, John Allison puts the spotlight on Ed and Nina, who are three months into their relationship. Like the previous issue, the focus on the couple leads to most of the other cast being pushed aside to an extent. Most everyone’s story in this issue revolves around Ed and Nina with the exception of Daisy, who has decided to learn how to drive. The lack of emphasis on the entire cast isn’t necessarily a problem, because more Ed is a good thing, and everyone else has had quite a lot of attention as of late.

Watching Ed grow through this relationship and issue is a joy to see. A few panels really tug on the reader, with a terrifying climax hitting late in the issue. Daisy is as idealistic as ever, with a couple of bright moments for the character. Esther also continues to surprise me her ability to lift others in selfless ways. Susan and Graham are still endearing, with a near-perfect chemistry that leads to witty banter.

Max Sarin continues to draw the characters, ensuring that they look their best. No artist in modern comic books manages to draw expressive characters as Sarin does. While the pages have simple layouts, they are so full of detail that its easy to forgive. Jeremy Lawson steps in for Cougar on colors, and with success. The usual vibrant palette remains in this issue, and most readers won’t notice the change in colorist.

Giant Days continues to be the best slice-of-life series in comic books. Giant Days #45 puts the spotlight on only a few characters but manages to develop everyone, even if it is just a little. This is another successful chapter for Allison and company.