Comic Review: Little Bird #3

Little Bird #3

Image Comics

Writer: Darcy Van Poelgeest

Artist: Ian Bertram

Little Bird is a book that is so dense and unique that every time I pick it up I’m certain it’s going to lose itself in its own ambition. Each time it proves me wrong, as every issue improves upon the last. With unexpected twists and turns, Little Bird #3 delivers its most heart-wrenching and compelling chapter yet.

Little Bird is one of those books where it’s difficult to separate the writing from the art due to how well they intertwine. It’s a perfect example of a creative team being on the same page every step of the way. This is best demonstrated by the world-building. In a book as dense as this, it’s easy to blast the reader with exposition that either bores or confuses them. Little Bird, however, takes a different approach. Instead, it chooses to allow the visuals to do the heavy lifting. The dialogue plays a part too, but in a way that it’s a complete understanding of its role in complementing the art. This method allows the reader to connect certain dots themselves and places some of the responsibility on their shoulders. In doing so, it creates a significantly more engaging and interesting experience.

Little Bird excels in subtlety. That may sound silly considering the sometimes over the top violence, but it’s true. This is because it’s not so much subtle in content as it is subtle in the storytelling itself. What drives this home is a page towards the start of the book. The reader is led to believe one thing happens, and then one panel later we’re shown what actually happens. In between those panels though, Bertram widens the gap between the two just slightly. It’s an understated effect that creates just a small, almost unconscious beat of tension. The book is filled with things like this, most of which I’m sure going right over my head.

The story itself kicks up about six notches this time around. The previous two issues, as enjoyable as they are, felt like a lot of set-ups. With #3, I finally felt that I had my bearings and was ready to embark on the journey. Just when I begin to feel comfortable, it rips the rug from under me. The ending takes an unexpected twist; one that had me lying awake at night just wondering where it’s going from here. For a single issue of comics to have such an effect on me is rare, and I have to give it credit for that. If it wasn’t before, it’s obvious now how special this book is.

Little Bird #3 fires on all cylinders and lands every shot it takes. It’s impressive world-building and story direction are products of the creators’ masterful understanding of the medium. Books like this are rare, and you’d be remiss to pass this one up.