“three”
Writer/Artist: Nicc Balce
Publisher: Viper Comics
The second issue of this series won me over completely, despite some noticable flaws here and there; although it’s by no means perfect, Random Encounter #3 has improved on the previous issue in a number of key areas, and I find myself enjoying it even more as a result.
The chaotic lettering of the previous issue has calmed down a bit, with more sensible balloon placement in evidence here. There are still a couple of pages with some odd lettering choices, but on the whole it’s a great improvement, and it no longer detracts from the art, allowing Balce to show us what he’s capable of.
The art itself shows subtle improvement, and is more consistent as a whole than in the previous issue; there’s still a bit of an empty feel to the book, with too much white space, and a lack of substance to the backgrounds, but the figure work and storytelling are very well done, particularly in the action scenes, which crackle with dynamic energy. Balce also has something of a gift for characterisation, with personalities and emotions being effectively conveyed through body language and facial expressions.
The writing is snappy and amusing, although with the emphasis on action in this issue, there are fewer geek culture asides, which is a bit of a shame; on the other hand, the characters themselves are starting to come through more clearly now, making for a more well rounded and enjoyable experience. That said, Mica and Mona are still a bit bland and undefined, although that may just be the result of me missing the introductory issue.
Balce’s growing comfort with and understanding of the comics medium is clear, and his energetic storytelling style makes for an infectiously fun and entertaining read. Recommended.
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