review

Rachel Rising #3

14/11/2011

This book continues to cast it’s unnerving spell, remaining thoroghuly intriguing even when the story is only being very vaguely teased out. I’m not entirely sure what is occuring but have faith that Terry Moore has a a hell of a masterplan to draw in all the multiple narratives we’re seeing. An aspect of the book I adore is the constant eerie quality, with all the current action set at night it really feels like we’re witnessing something truly grisly but despite the more supernatural elements there is much that is rooted in the mundane and the familiar.

Themes of  duality and premontion emerge in the issue as Rachel accosts a woman about how she is to die and a mysterious figure, clad in white against Rachels black is seen in moments of death. Speculation seems redundant at this point, as the story will get infinteily more complex but violence seems to be the result of this figures appearances and it’ll be interesting to see where that strand goes. The book excels in the clash between the slow, contemplative moments, such scenes have always been Moores forte, his art resonating with a beauty and fluidity that can make a person entering a room be utterly compelling and then contrast that with a sudden rush of action, the result which can be quite jarring for the reader. But this is in the best way possible. It is refreshing in a world of safe comics to being completely unsure what might happen next. The other hallmarks of Moores comics are on display here with a ntural ease of character and the ability to cram a lot of character into small subtle moments and sparse dialogue. A couple are introudcued and destroyed in a  scant few pages their mini arc is a finely crafted piece of character work.

Obviously Rachel is linked with death in some hugely significant way and I can’t wait to see how this plays out. Any humour here is of the blackest variety and the situation and love of mystery still makes this somewhat of a distancing read but I’m loving it and think this shall proudly stand beside Moores previous accomplishments in the industry. Rachel is rising to meet those tall trees.

 

 

Tags: ,