Synopsis
Everyone knows the consequences of absolute power — and the three Sams are no exception. As their different desires come to a head, the only thing that stands in their way is each other. And Chip’s deadly powers are in the center of it all.
Review
I have been singing the praises of this series since #1. It has gone from strength to strength and this issue continues that trend as we gear up to the final issue. Alienated is written by Simon Spurrier, pencilled by Chris Wildgoose, coloured by Andre May and lettered by Jim Campbell. Spoilers below.
The art, as always is top notch, and works effortlessly with the writing, lettering and colouring. There are little subtleties which add to the character development, like Samuel’s crooked leg after realising he has delivered a rousing speech to nobody, or the way that Chip displays the emotion of Samuel. To be able to portray human emotions of hope and extreme despair in an alien over 2 panels is a testament to the great art Chris Wildgoose is producing for this series, and great bit of storytelling. I love the character acting, particularly in one scene where Samuel is getting more and more riled up delivering a speech – the tension builds as Samuel’s intensity boils while looking directly at the reader.
This issue focusses on Samuel as we see his true colours bloom into fruition and the disastrous consequences. Samuel could be the most interesting of all the characters – in terms of trauma he has arguably suffered less than the other Sam’s, yet he is the most entitled and selfish out of the three and displays sprouts of narcissism. He is a teenager who wants to tell the world how it “really is” from the comfort of his own home. When his big chance comes and is lost to him I n embarrassing fashion, his first instinct is to rage and burn and “show them”. In my favourite page of the issue he is framed by the ultimate teenage motto of “THAT’S NOT FAIR” in the gutters of panels in which he is crying, humiliated. While reading this issue I couldn’t help but think that I was reading the origin of a new super-villain, and I was not disappointed at the end! Simon Spurrier has carefully built Samuel from the ground up, broken him and wonderfully transformed this angry teenager into super-villain of immense power. I cannot wait to see how the other characters react to this!
Where this book excels is in its execution, and in the synergy of the writing, art, colouring, lettering and panel layouts. Each one of these elements plays a vital part in character development and storytelling, from the subtleties of text in a word balloon to convey emotion, to the colouring of art hinting at a character’s mindset. The symmetrical panel layout makes the jump to the alien mindscapes even more impactful, and the cracked panels towards the end of issue mirror the cracked mind of Samuel as well as the cracked relationship of the three Sams. This book is a triumph of the craft, I only wish it wasn’t wrapping up in the next issue! If I am totally honest, Simon Spurrier has taken his readers on a ride I don’t think anyone expected and I cannot wait for the final issue to see where he takes us next, especially after the emotional ending of this one!
Verdict
9/10 – I’ve said it before, and I will say it again – THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TEENAGE BOOK OUT THERE AND SHOULD BE READ BY ALL! The story is intensifying as we hurtle towards its conclusion and I am on this roller-coaster until the very end!
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