Wow. Where to begin? I admittedly have a strange love affair with novels. At times, I’ve been known to submerge myself deep within the pages of stories that gripped my mind with unyielding tenacity. Then there are times where I don’t want to look at anything that even resembles a novel. Put simply, I like to read… but sometimes I don’t. Just how it is. Either way, whenever I do find myself fully enamored with a book I have a tendency to let my mind race with the possibilities of “what will happen next?”, or “I bet the main character’s really a (insert something awesome in that world)”. I think that with The Unwritten, it’s those feelings that kept bringing me back for more chapter after chapter.
Summary
The premise of the book is that Tommy Taylor, the son of the missing famous author Wilson Taylor, was the source material of his father’s fantasy book series. His father, either being of unsound mind or just unimaginative nature, decides to name his main character in the book after his inspiration. As his father has been missing since his childhood, Tom Taylor has spent his life trying to forget his attachment to this fictional character named after him, while at the same time profiting off of his celebrity at convention circuits. This is all shaken up by a series of events which begin to make him question his origins.
Story
A wish-I’d-thought-of-it premise, beautifully executed. Highly recommended for anyone who thinks that fantasy can do more than just help you escape the real world. -Brian K. Vaughn
Mike Carey does a fantastic job of leading you deeper and deeper into the story. He pulls some very great “look over here while I pull some slight of hand on you” writing that I’ve come to appreciate over the years. Throughout the story, your belief is that this character, Tommy Taylor may indeed be something not of this world, but the author doesn’t confirm it. Instead you receive little clues in the mystery that seem to draw you closer, but in actuality are just leading you deeper down the rabbit hole. Don’t get me wrong though, the whole thing is a very fun ride with shocking bumps and hard braking that will make you want to pause a bit. Really, some of the more interesting aspects of the book, are that is so intricately layered. I can’t help but think that Mike Carey spent a lot of time researching literary trivia to craft this story. The nods to famous literary masters of old are both informative, and interesting. The books pace can at times a little unnerving. There are times when you think that next page will be this great reveal, only to have another unexpected clue be dropped.
Art
Art is handled by the duo of Peter Gross (formerly of Books of Magic) and Yuko Shimizo on covers. Yuko’s covers are amazing. Reminiscent of James Jean in their fantastical and metaphorical nature, but also bolder. Shimizo’s line work is an exciting blend of sumi e style brush stokes and strong body language. Peter Gross’ interior art is deceptively simple, and excellent at setting moods both of characters and their environments. Which by the way is a good thing since Mike Carey references the birth places of famous literary works as we read along. Both artist complement the story very well.
So was it money well spent?
If you like something a bit different from the norm, that ask you the reader to sit up and pay attention instead of blindly being led around by the nose by the increasing amount of story cliches found in today’s comics, then be prepared to be rewarded by this book. Also, be prepared to pick up the next issue as I’m sure you won’t be able to put it down. To check out the first issue FREE, head over to Vertigo’s site here.
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