Never, ever go into the sewers!
Creative Staff:
Story: Jim Zub
Art: Steve Cummings
What They Say:
A storm rages across Tokyo while secrets are uncovered below the city streets.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Wayward found itself moving fast with the third installment as we ended up expanding the group and cementing them as a group. A group that now has Rori as its leader, not that she really wants that position. The series is one that has hit a lot of familiar plot points as it’s gotten going with its blend of western comic style and manga sensibilities blending together and the result has been pretty good, especially with the color style applied to it. But it’s also felt rushed in a lot of ways to get where it’s going while still not really firming up what the real threat is. That continues to be around the edges, which isn’t bad overall, but it does keep you from feeling fully committed to it yet. The main focus has been on Rori’s adapting to Japan and the discover that things just aren’t right for her. The reasons why are still elusive, but we’re starting to see that will be coming sooner rather than later.
This issue gives us some decent moments at the start showing just how much this situation is starting to gnaw at her as it’s impacting her school life a good bit already. So much so that she’s missing out on things during class, which isn’t good for a foreigner in general and less so for her with the way the teachers aren’t exactly thrilled with her appearance either. Rori’s home life is at least a little better, though she has the awkward moment of coming home with Ayane, who snuck up on her with her cat-like ability in a comical way. Of course, part of it feels like it’s just that Rori isn’t paying attention as she’s so wrapped up in what’s going on with her new friends and their abilities. Rori’s also coping with hiding all of this from her mother, which feels like it’s on the edge when Sanae shows up while Ayane is over and she just wants to get out of there for the meeting with the others, all while trying to come up with a cover that the almost literal Ayane can’t quite figure out. Sanae, as we know, has a bigger role in all of this and we get teased with it again.
The group dynamic is what a lot of this book deals with in the end as once they all finally meet at the mall, they realize just how little they know. It’s only because Rori has drawn them together that they’re doing all of this and that reinforces her as the leader. With her accepting it at this point because she wants real answers, she discovers that her powers are providing a trail to follow, which is interesting in itself with the dialogue that flows from the rest as they follow her. Leading them underground, there’s a whole lot of yokai down there that aren’t pleased at being discovered. While there’s a hint as to what’s really going on with who is doing this and what the real ruse is all about, the majority of it – and the book – is about the action. This works pretty well as it allows each of the characters to fight individually, cope with the situation at hand and utilize their powers. Since we’re still new to the characters, and some of the introductions have been a little rushed, it’s helpful to see it unfold like this, particularly with Cumming’s great layouts and overall designs here that gives it some great vibrancy while Zub keeps the dialogue rather well handled without too many glib lines.
In Summary:
While predictable in some ways, Wayward has had a good first four issues as it starts to explore what it’s doing, who the characters are and teasing towards the larger storyline itself. The focus on the kids who are caught up in it that have no idea what’s really going on allows us to discover it just as they do, though partially we know a little bit more. This issue is heavily focused on the action and it’s warranted as it lets the creative team really show their stuff in a great way – and beautifully colored at that. It’s a fast moving piece, even with as much dialogue and narration as there is, and all of it tantalizes more of what the story is going to be about. I’m starting to feel a little more invested in it bit by bit and this is definitely a good issue.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Image Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: November 26th, 2014
MSRP: $2.99
