Comic Review: Skyward #5

Skyward #5

Image Comics

Writer: Joe Henderson

Artist: Lee Garbett

After 20 years of living inside his house, Nate decided it was time to go outside and fix the world. Well, forced is a more appropriate term. He couldn’t have picked a worse time, as a storm was just hitting the city. This being a zero-gravity post-apocalyptic world, storms now operate under different rules – they manifest as massive blobs of water, traveling around the globe. How come they stay in orbit if there’s no gravity? Don’t know, but best to not overthink stuff like that.

Fortunately for Nate, Willa is well aware of the new rules, which, combined with her seriously high intellect, are his salvation. After escaping the storm blob, Willa and Nate team up and go after Barrow in hopes of freeing Edison.

What’s Good

The final issue of the first arc is a delight to read AND watch. The pace is amazing, with everything getting just the right amount of attention. Every scene builds naturally on top of the previous, allowing the book to flow nicely. Joe Henderson does a wonderful job at building tension and then releasing it with some really smart zero-gravity antics. Each page turn left me with an “oooh” or “aaah.”

Skyward’s cast of characters is fantastic. I’m a firm believer that the characters are what make or break a work of fiction and the main hook of a story. Especially the protagonist. I’m glad to say that Henderson did a great job with Willa, as well as the supporting cast.

There are some great character moments, and the ending of the issue (and arc) will not leave you indifferent.

Henderson is not the only one worthy of praise, however. Lee Garbett, with the help of Antonio Fabela, is the true hero of this issue, and the series as a whole. Garbett has been delivering some consistently great and fantastic art. From the cover to the last page, everything is gorgeous, especially the open spaces. There is so much depth and so much detail in every panel. And to top it all off, Fabela’s colouring makes every page pop. Especially the splashes, which are the manifestation of eye candy.

What’s Bad

While I do love Willa and her supporting cast, the villain, Barrow, leaves me wanting. He’s not awful, but he isn’t that special either. Just another corrupt corporate executive, another opportunistic businessman. I wholeheartedly hope Henderson will develop him in some interesting ways, as well as add some new, worthy villains.

Beyond that, there is not much left to complain about.

Verdict

Skyward has been a huge and pleasant surprise. Going in I did not expect much out of it, but it continues to amaze me with each issue. It’s a rare case where I’m enjoying every new issue more than the last one. The art alone is worth it, but the original premise and compelling lead are icing on the cake. I hope the team can continue delivering some good books beyond this initial arc. I can only wonder how a TV show or movie adaptation would look.