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ABADAZAD #2

By Loretta Ramirez
March 20, 2004 - 11:02

Arguably the best debut of the year, ABADAZAD is a delightful read that may finally make comic books something parents eagerly want to share with their children. ABADAZAD #2, "Inconceivable," by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog, continues to narrate the quest of a sulky teenager named Katie who seeks to find her baby brother, long ago kidnapped by the evil Lanky Man and hidden in the fairytale realm of Abadazad.

DeMatteis builds Katie as a highly sympathetic character, a teenager who's so jaded that she's afraid to believe that anything good could possibly happen to her. Katie is definitely the book's central appeal, but beyond her complex character are glimpses into a charming but dangerous fantasy world where giant flowers try to eat you, where fast-food grows off trees, and where child-like faith governs the land.

The art perfectly suits the playful but highly crafted tone of the book. Faces are exaggerated and settings are whimsical, but there's a great sense of reality in it all-as in the writing. Perhaps the best union of art and story occurs when Katie is falling asleep. This is the deepest, most secure sleep she has had since her family split; and as she sleeps, snuggled deeply into a lush bed, there's a profound contentment that seems to physically sink into her wide, round face. This is a truly poignant and beautiful moment.

Overall: A+

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12