Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Happy #3 of 4
Image Comics
Morrison & Robertson
Happy blasts off in a big way in this issue as many dots are connected in this story. Morrison provides some background for the main character, Nick. While it seems to follow a bunch of clichés, it's delivered in an effect way and leads the reader towards a good, solid punch in the gut at the end of the book. This was a very good read.
Nick, has been followed around by a blue, flying horse for three issues now. Nick can't understand why this is the case or how come he is the only one that can see or hear him. This issue doesn't really provide a direct answer to those questions but it certainly takes on an intriguing angle. I won't spoil the development but this is all great stuff.
The book is a bit of a coming of age story for Nick. He is on a train, running from various problems. While this is going on he is being pursued by a number of characters. However, the blue horse is trying to convince him to save a little girl from a kidnapper. This issue begins to close all of these threads together in a neat little dovetail.
Nick refuses to listen to the horse and who can blame him? Nick does try to convince the horse that the world is all going to hell anyway and that just one girl's life really doesn't matter. Laying out the direction his life has taken certainly aids his case.
The artwork is extremely crisp. Robertson provides some stunning details, particularly on the close-ups. One aspect of this comic book that sets the mood perfectly is the dirty presentation of the book. When looking at the panels it's as if you feel the dirt on the floor or the blood on your hands. The glimpses into the kidnapping scenes are simply horrific to look at. The artwork really brings life to this twisted story in ways that a lot of styles simply couldn't.
This issue sets up what looks to be a very compelling ending to this mini-series. Morrison manages to drag the main character all the way down to the bottom of his limits while providing the reader with glimpses of what brought him there over the years. This issue is quite a ride, regardless of whether or not you have read the previous two in this mini-series. This was a very good comic book.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
