Writer: Claudio Sanchez
Artist: Christopher Shy
Publisher: Evil Ink Comics
Plot: Inside the Story Claudio Kilgannon tries to come to grips with the fact that his parents are dead and that he is the messiah "the Crowing". As his uncle Jesse prepares to begin an assault to assassinate the dictator Wilhelm Ryan, we learn that Ryan has plans of his own. In the real world, the Writer struggles with the ending of his relationship with Erica Courts, but his own subconscious has other plans...
Commentary: So you probably just read that plot summary and wondered, "what the heck is he talking about?" Well, the Good Apollo graphic novel is an adaptation of the story of rock band Coheed and Cambria's latest CD. It is a part of a sci-fi epic called the Bag On Line Adventures. So far, there has been two installments in the first comic, Second Stage Turbine Blade, and this wonderful graphic novel. To understand the story, you would need to do some background research, but trust me, it is so worth it.
The two stories are great. On one end we have Claudio and his companions trying to put an end to the reign of the man who caused the death of his parents and free the galaxy. On the other end we have Writer of the story (think Grant Morrison in Animal Man) trying to deal with his anguish over his girlfriend leaving, and trying to bring an end to the story. This is where the story kicks from awesome, to awe inspiring. The Writer's subconscious takes the form of a demonic bicycle (trippy, I know) and comes up with a way to end the story that doesn't exactly please the Writer. The very struggle between the man's personas can be recognized as schizophrenia, but manages to draw emotion and a great debate.
The entire graphic novel builds and builds to an ending that can really only be described as epic. The Writer makes a decision and Claudio must choose to accept his destiny. The very feel presented by the writing of this really gives a sense of anguish, and epicness.
Christopher Shy is new in the comic scene, but he delivers. Basically, take Alex Ross, add huge amounts of symbolism, and add a touch of darkness and you get Shy's work. His art fits too. The hollow persona of the Writer is given a blank face and his eyes are shadowed heavily, really helping to distinguish his personality. True, there are times when the art gets a bit too symbolic, but it's very pretty. Shy brings the final fight at the end to life, and there is one death prior to that that will make you do a double take. Let’s just say, guys who can rip your heart out are scary.
The only downsides to this graphic novel are the fact that one unfamiliar to the story will be confused, and the lettering. Instead of the word balloons, we are given the words floating in the air, but with a simple line pointing to the speaker.
Final Thoughts: "What does it look like? I'm a bicycle!": This is good stuff. You'll need to do some background research, but that will pay off in a decidedly great story. I highly recommend it. I'm pretty sure that you can find it only in places like Hot Topic, but make the trip. You'll love it.
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