Written by, Joe Henderson
Art by, Lee Garbett
Colors by, Antonio Fabela
Letters by, Simon Bowland
Review by Tom Zimm
Recap
Tiny anomalies in the earth’s gravity have eliminated the earth’s gravitational pull causing everything that isn’t fastened to the ground to float and spin off the planet. The inner monologue states, “Everything they knew about gravity was wrong.” The statement could be about the science, however, it feels like it is a comment on society. One of life’s constants, gravity, is no longer what it seems. Those who have accepted this big change search for a way to save the world. Some have rejected this new reality, and live a delusional life purchasing magnet boots to stay fastened to the ground.
Willa, the lead character, is with her father in his apartment located in Chicago Illinois. Nathan Fowler was a scientist who predicted that something would go wrong with gravity. However, He developed a fear of leaving his apartment, which has kept him shut-in for 20 years. Nathan tells Willa that he can save the world; however, he’s afraid to leave his house. Willa counsels her father to step outside first, then he can save the world. The meta-narrative is poignant: we must leave our comfort zone in order to impact others no matter how brilliant our ideas might be.
Willa leaves to meet with a female, who she calls a mother figure. Together they comment on the world’s situation and people like Roger Barrow, who worked in the same lab with Nathan Fowler and made money off the effects of the loss of gravity. Other people, like Willa’s father, stayed locked up in their homes while people died.
A new character, Edison, enters the conversation. Edison cautions Willa that it’s different on the streets. Willa goes anyway. Her mission is to locate Roger Barrow and somehow find a solution to the gravity issue. Roger is rich, famous, and gives off a disingenuous vibe. After Willa leaves, Roger tells his associates his plans, which are to kill Nathan Fowler.
Final impressions
This book is interesting because of the question it asks: what happens when the constants, the predictability of your current world changes? Some choose to ignore the problems, some are self-serving, and some strive to save the world. The character development is strong and intriguing. Willa’s father is a brilliant man, but he’s suffering from mental illness. Although she admires his abilities the reality is, Nathan Fowler didn’t raise her. This storyline resonates because there are so many people in our society today who have non-traditional families and face real-life struggles. The art is strong and never took me out of the story. I highly recommend this book as a monthly purchase, you won’t regret it!
