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Wayward
Wayward, Vol. 1: String Theory
Rori Lane is trying to start a new life when she reunites with her mother in Japan, but ancient creatures lurking in the shadows of Tokyo sense something hidden deep within her, threatening everything she holds dear.
Can Rori unlock the secrets of her power before it's too late?
Jim Zub (Samurai Jack, Skullkickers), Steve Cummings (Legends of the Dark Knight, Deadshot), and John Rauch (Invincible) team-up to create an all-new Image supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of Buffy with the action and mystery of Hellboy. This volume collects the first five issues of the acclaimed comic series, Wayward.
Can Rori unlock the secrets of her power before it's too late?
Jim Zub (Samurai Jack, Skullkickers), Steve Cummings (Legends of the Dark Knight, Deadshot), and John Rauch (Invincible) team-up to create an all-new Image supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of Buffy with the action and mystery of Hellboy. This volume collects the first five issues of the acclaimed comic series, Wayward.
134 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2015
About the author
Jim Zub
864 books279 followersJim Zub is a writer, artist and art instructor based in Toronto, Canada. Over the past fifteen years he’s worked for a diverse array of publishing, movie and video game clients including Disney, Warner Bros., Capcom, Hasbro, Bandai-Namco and Mattel.
He juggles his time between being a freelance comic writer and Program Coordinator for Seneca College‘s award-winning Animation program.
He juggles his time between being a freelance comic writer and Program Coordinator for Seneca College‘s award-winning Animation program.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 447 reviews
February 15, 2016
I'm not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed with this. The artwork was magnificent, but the story itself didn't entice me in anyway. I might've hyped it up in my mind though, because it has two things that I love, Japan & monsters. Unfortunately I just didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped.
September 25, 2015
Rori Lane has issues. Her parents are separated. Her father lives in Ireland; her mother in Japan. She’s been sent by her father to live in Tokyo and being in a strange new place presents its own overwhelming problems, especially if you’re a teenager.
She also cuts herself and has some sort of untapped powers.
This one took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting much, but I found a story that reminds me of a Studio Ghibli film but amped up on steroids and ten times as violent. It’s heavily steeped in Japanese lore (spirits, kitsune, samauri) and is briskly paced and well-drawn.
Rori discovers that her power is somehow tapped into a “thread” that only she can see. She soon hooks up with three other teens who are also “gifted”. One kid ingests spirits for power and sustenance, another feeds off the emotions of others and the last, draws her abilities from the spirits of cats.
Ayane, the cat girl, is the main source of humor and frenetic energy in this one.
The fate of Rori's mother and the cliffhanger at the end of this collection rev up the drama.
Bottom line: This one’s been likened to Buffy. I don’t think it’s an apt comparison, but check it out for yourself.
She also cuts herself and has some sort of untapped powers.
This one took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting much, but I found a story that reminds me of a Studio Ghibli film but amped up on steroids and ten times as violent. It’s heavily steeped in Japanese lore (spirits, kitsune, samauri) and is briskly paced and well-drawn.
Rori discovers that her power is somehow tapped into a “thread” that only she can see. She soon hooks up with three other teens who are also “gifted”. One kid ingests spirits for power and sustenance, another feeds off the emotions of others and the last, draws her abilities from the spirits of cats.
Ayane, the cat girl, is the main source of humor and frenetic energy in this one.
The fate of Rori's mother and the cliffhanger at the end of this collection rev up the drama.
Bottom line: This one’s been likened to Buffy. I don’t think it’s an apt comparison, but check it out for yourself.
September 14, 2016
Rori is a half-Irish, half-Japanese whippersnapper who’s gone to live with her mother in Tokyo. But Rori’s going to find out that Japan is magical - literally! - as she meets new friends… and new enemies!
Wayward Volume 1 has a lot going for it like great art and likeable characters as well as a vaguely defined but enticing plot - and it’s got more than a few problems too, like Jim Zub’s flawed, awkward script!
I found Rori to be affable from the start, a vulnerable but optimistic and strong-minded kid excited to start a new life on the other side of the world. Then Zub suddenly introduces magic out of nowhere - which doesn’t faze her in the least because why would it it’s only magic(!) - and things get shaky.
Monsters appear followed by a magical vigilante cat person called Ayane, and then Rori can leap up sides of buildings, and, before you know it, she’s the head of a team of superhero ghost hunters?! Zub also follows the cliched hero team template of introducing new members before adding them to the roster and moving on to the next which can work sometimes but doesn’t here.
The whole thing comes off as false, rushed and contrived, as well as poorly explained. When did Rori get her powers and what do they mean? And how is she so blase about all this supernatural stuff going on around her - did this sort of thing happen to her in Ireland too? What are the glowing strings Rori can see? How did these other kids get magic powers? How is all of this conveniently taking place within the same Tokyo district and to what end? We might get answers in later volumes but the overall effect of this first one left me feeling somewhat frustrated.
There’s a lot of stuff I enjoyed too. The atmosphere of being in Japan is very realistic - I’ve lived there myself and have family over there too so seeing Rori’s entrance into the culture brought back a lot of memories. Artist Steve Cummings gets so many details right, it’s like actually going back there for a spell!
Speaking of the art, it is gorgeous. There’s a strong anime influence on the character designs and action sequences which might be down to the cultural surroundings or the artist’s style (I’ve not seen Cummings’ work before), but it looks terrific. The backgrounds are well-researched, highly detailed and convincing but also beautiful to look at in large part thanks to the half dozen colourists working on making each page dazzling.
I liked Rori and the dark curveball Zub throws in during one scene making her more complex and interesting, and Ayane’s a fun character too. The evil dude in the bow-tie and boater hat and his bat samurai entourage look to be intriguing adversaries too.
Wayward, Volume 1: String Theory isn’t the best series debut you’ll read but there’s enough here for me to keep going with the title. If you’re after a comic with powerful art, supernatural subject matter and a Japanese setting, give Wayward a shot but don’t expect to be totally satisfied with the storytelling.
Wayward Volume 1 has a lot going for it like great art and likeable characters as well as a vaguely defined but enticing plot - and it’s got more than a few problems too, like Jim Zub’s flawed, awkward script!
I found Rori to be affable from the start, a vulnerable but optimistic and strong-minded kid excited to start a new life on the other side of the world. Then Zub suddenly introduces magic out of nowhere - which doesn’t faze her in the least because why would it it’s only magic(!) - and things get shaky.
Monsters appear followed by a magical vigilante cat person called Ayane, and then Rori can leap up sides of buildings, and, before you know it, she’s the head of a team of superhero ghost hunters?! Zub also follows the cliched hero team template of introducing new members before adding them to the roster and moving on to the next which can work sometimes but doesn’t here.
The whole thing comes off as false, rushed and contrived, as well as poorly explained. When did Rori get her powers and what do they mean? And how is she so blase about all this supernatural stuff going on around her - did this sort of thing happen to her in Ireland too? What are the glowing strings Rori can see? How did these other kids get magic powers? How is all of this conveniently taking place within the same Tokyo district and to what end? We might get answers in later volumes but the overall effect of this first one left me feeling somewhat frustrated.
There’s a lot of stuff I enjoyed too. The atmosphere of being in Japan is very realistic - I’ve lived there myself and have family over there too so seeing Rori’s entrance into the culture brought back a lot of memories. Artist Steve Cummings gets so many details right, it’s like actually going back there for a spell!
Speaking of the art, it is gorgeous. There’s a strong anime influence on the character designs and action sequences which might be down to the cultural surroundings or the artist’s style (I’ve not seen Cummings’ work before), but it looks terrific. The backgrounds are well-researched, highly detailed and convincing but also beautiful to look at in large part thanks to the half dozen colourists working on making each page dazzling.
I liked Rori and the dark curveball Zub throws in during one scene making her more complex and interesting, and Ayane’s a fun character too. The evil dude in the bow-tie and boater hat and his bat samurai entourage look to be intriguing adversaries too.
Wayward, Volume 1: String Theory isn’t the best series debut you’ll read but there’s enough here for me to keep going with the title. If you’re after a comic with powerful art, supernatural subject matter and a Japanese setting, give Wayward a shot but don’t expect to be totally satisfied with the storytelling.
March 21, 2022
I loved this book. Believable spot-on dialogue. Great use of Japanese mythology. Steve Cummings artwork was fantastic, reminiscent of Tom Raney. Beautiful color work to give it an anime feel.
May 13, 2015
I give it 1 star for the effort and for getting Tokyo "right" (to the point where it's almost distracting), but the writing and the artwork felt painfully amateurish to me. Nothing flowed naturally, it was just a big mess.
I wouldn't recommed it, unless you've got a real obession for Japan.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
I wouldn't recommed it, unless you've got a real obession for Japan.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
November 1, 2015
I received this book from Netgalley.
I read the first issue via a Humble Bundle I picked up earlier this year and was underwhelmed by that first chapter. I'm glad I got a chance to view the whole first volume because the second chapter in the volume did a lot to redeem the slow start.
The artwork is gorgeous. I read most of this one on my Kindle Fire and the details stood out nicely while being soft and expressive. Very anime with the characters being expressive and lots of great action frames.
Overall I really dig Wayward and would love to see more.
October 27, 2023
3.5 Stars
This graphic novel started out well enough but as it progressed, I struggled to continue. The artwork was awesome but the story line just kind of slugged along. I decided I would finish but would not get the next one. Then came that ending! What a finish! Now I have to continue just to see what happens. I am hoping that volume one was just setting up the story and the next volume will be phenomenal throughout. Fingers crossed!
This graphic novel started out well enough but as it progressed, I struggled to continue. The artwork was awesome but the story line just kind of slugged along. I decided I would finish but would not get the next one. Then came that ending! What a finish! Now I have to continue just to see what happens. I am hoping that volume one was just setting up the story and the next volume will be phenomenal throughout. Fingers crossed!
June 9, 2015
I'm very new to graphic novels and comics and I often feel like they have a tendancy to start by dropping you into the middle of a story, leaving me confused. I've considered that it's a convention I'm unaware of or perhaps I'm just not used to world building through illustration.
Wayward didn't do that though. The plot made sense to me. The characters were all introduced one by one and I loved the dialogue - it seemed very authentic to the teenaged characters. I also loved the illustrations - they reminded me a lot of Korea and of my brief trip to Japan. I will definitely keep up with this story.
Wayward didn't do that though. The plot made sense to me. The characters were all introduced one by one and I loved the dialogue - it seemed very authentic to the teenaged characters. I also loved the illustrations - they reminded me a lot of Korea and of my brief trip to Japan. I will definitely keep up with this story.
September 18, 2018
A fun first volume about a girl that moves to Japan and discovers magic.
It had a very YA feel to it - but the good kind of YA. The story was interesting and the characters were colorful and entertaining.
The art is bang on and has a nice manga vibe about it.
Will definitely be reading the next volume.
It had a very YA feel to it - but the good kind of YA. The story was interesting and the characters were colorful and entertaining.
The art is bang on and has a nice manga vibe about it.
Will definitely be reading the next volume.
May 2, 2016
Welcome to Japan! You now have superpowers and the local Kappa gang wants you dead!
Confession: from the age of twelve to the age of eighteen (maybe even older but humor me here) my life consisted of: Watching anime & reading manga, fanfiction and MMORPG’s, in that precise order. I dropped random Japanese in everyday conversations *CRINGE* told everyone my life goal was to teach English in Japan *CRINGE* and I spend all my money on over-priced cosplay accessories that I’d never ever wear because I was also painfully shy and horribly awkward *CRINGE*.
No worries, I grew up, got my shit sorted. Still love Japan, but on a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 is “Fuck Japan I won’t even eat ramen.” and 10 is “I’m selling all my worldly possessions to afford a ticket to glorious Nippon!” I’m sitting on a healthy 7. I still kinda love Japan, so when a friend pointed me towards Wayward and told me "No, it’s not weeaboo Japan and it has all kinds of Yokai!", I had to read it.
Liked it, so here are a few yays and nays.
Yay:
- Yokai! Jim Zub knows his spirits and shows us many of them. From the always popular Kappa and Kitsune, to lesser known demons like the Kyokotsu and Suiko. Many of them I already knew from reading up on Japanese folklore and playing the Megami Tensei/Persona games, and it was so much fun to see them illustrated in a modern western style.
- The setting. Like Zack Davisson already mentions in his intro; this is the real Japan. No endless ramen stands and temples on every corner, we get to see the decay of modern Tokyo as well. Grimy back alleys and dilapidated apartments. Loved it
- The art. It’s just beautiful. Rori has bright red hair and dresses in greens and purples, she pops off every page she appears on and it’s the best!
- The action scenes are awesome.
Nay:
- My God, it moves fast. Rori’s barely landed and she’s already getting attacked by Kappa on roids.
- The way the kids pretty much accept everything that gets thrown on their path. Yeah, they ask some questions, but when they don’t get an answer (that’s every single time btw) they shrug and stop asking.
- Very little character development.
- While I like the idea behind Ayane, I could’ve done without a creepy/cute/quirky cat girl.
Vol 2 is a borrow, not a buy.
Oh, and if you dig Japanese lore, check out the Megami Tensei series
Devil Survivor is one of my faves
Confession: from the age of twelve to the age of eighteen (maybe even older but humor me here) my life consisted of: Watching anime & reading manga, fanfiction and MMORPG’s, in that precise order. I dropped random Japanese in everyday conversations *CRINGE* told everyone my life goal was to teach English in Japan *CRINGE* and I spend all my money on over-priced cosplay accessories that I’d never ever wear because I was also painfully shy and horribly awkward *CRINGE*.
No worries, I grew up, got my shit sorted. Still love Japan, but on a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 is “Fuck Japan I won’t even eat ramen.” and 10 is “I’m selling all my worldly possessions to afford a ticket to glorious Nippon!” I’m sitting on a healthy 7. I still kinda love Japan, so when a friend pointed me towards Wayward and told me "No, it’s not weeaboo Japan and it has all kinds of Yokai!", I had to read it.
Liked it, so here are a few yays and nays.
Yay:
- Yokai! Jim Zub knows his spirits and shows us many of them. From the always popular Kappa and Kitsune, to lesser known demons like the Kyokotsu and Suiko. Many of them I already knew from reading up on Japanese folklore and playing the Megami Tensei/Persona games, and it was so much fun to see them illustrated in a modern western style.
- The setting. Like Zack Davisson already mentions in his intro; this is the real Japan. No endless ramen stands and temples on every corner, we get to see the decay of modern Tokyo as well. Grimy back alleys and dilapidated apartments. Loved it
- The art. It’s just beautiful. Rori has bright red hair and dresses in greens and purples, she pops off every page she appears on and it’s the best!
- The action scenes are awesome.
Nay:
- My God, it moves fast. Rori’s barely landed and she’s already getting attacked by Kappa on roids.
- The way the kids pretty much accept everything that gets thrown on their path. Yeah, they ask some questions, but when they don’t get an answer (that’s every single time btw) they shrug and stop asking.
- Very little character development.
- While I like the idea behind Ayane, I could’ve done without a creepy/cute/quirky cat girl.
Vol 2 is a borrow, not a buy.
Oh, and if you dig Japanese lore, check out the Megami Tensei series
Devil Survivor is one of my faves
February 26, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised by this comic. That may sound odd, as why would I be wasting time on a book that I don't think I'd enjoy, but much like the Zack Davisson (who wrote the forward to this volume) I've read too many comics (or novels) where the appropriation of the foreign culture is off putting.
Also historically my track record with IMAGE Comics has not been stellar as of late.
So I went into WAYWARD a little hesitant, but willing to try. I'm glad I did because it was enjoyable.
Its not for everyone though - there's some topics dealt with that aren't perhaps dealt with as well as they could be (namely Rori's coping mechanism) and some which won't make sense to the reader without the helpful back notes. Zub tosses you into what life is like for Rori--a half Japanese/Half-Irish teenager who's research doesn't prepare her well enough for life in Tokyo.
Rori, who's used to being "cool" in Ireland for her mixed heritage is suddenly pretty much a social outcast because she isn't on the level of her peers. She's struggling to keep up with what their teacher is saying only to have him privately warn her that her natural hair color was disruptive so maybe she should dye it dark.
That's pretty simple stuff for her to deal with next to the supernatural crazy that erupts around her though.
By the end of the 5 issues contained in the volume I was kind of feeling at odds with the pacing and the development. A lot of things HAPPEN with little context or reason, much of it left to the reader to discern why Rori suddenly can see these red threads (of fate).
I am interested in seeing how the secret(s) her mother hid from her will play out, and I generally found the characters to be interesting (though a little broadly written in terms of personality, they fit certain stereotypes initially and grow only a fraction by the end).
I'll warn for violence and for something that is personal to Rori . and language, though that's not a big issue.
Insofar as cultural appropriation goes...its hard to tell since Rori had a certain perception of the culture via her mother and Zub tries to convey that in how the reader experiences Tokyo. Whether or not this will change as the series goes on I can't say however.
Also historically my track record with IMAGE Comics has not been stellar as of late.
So I went into WAYWARD a little hesitant, but willing to try. I'm glad I did because it was enjoyable.
Its not for everyone though - there's some topics dealt with that aren't perhaps dealt with as well as they could be (namely Rori's coping mechanism) and some which won't make sense to the reader without the helpful back notes. Zub tosses you into what life is like for Rori--a half Japanese/Half-Irish teenager who's research doesn't prepare her well enough for life in Tokyo.
Rori, who's used to being "cool" in Ireland for her mixed heritage is suddenly pretty much a social outcast because she isn't on the level of her peers. She's struggling to keep up with what their teacher is saying only to have him privately warn her that her natural hair color was disruptive so maybe she should dye it dark.
That's pretty simple stuff for her to deal with next to the supernatural crazy that erupts around her though.
By the end of the 5 issues contained in the volume I was kind of feeling at odds with the pacing and the development. A lot of things HAPPEN with little context or reason, much of it left to the reader to discern why Rori suddenly can see these red threads (of fate).
I am interested in seeing how the secret(s) her mother hid from her will play out, and I generally found the characters to be interesting (though a little broadly written in terms of personality, they fit certain stereotypes initially and grow only a fraction by the end).
I'll warn for violence and for something that is personal to Rori . and language, though that's not a big issue.
Insofar as cultural appropriation goes...its hard to tell since Rori had a certain perception of the culture via her mother and Zub tries to convey that in how the reader experiences Tokyo. Whether or not this will change as the series goes on I can't say however.
March 6, 2021
4.5 stars
Its really really good! It reminds me the videogame "infamous second son", because of the powers and the characters. The characters are really cool... but i want to see more character development, i want to care more.
Its a mature read!
Cant wait to read the second volume!!!
Its really really good! It reminds me the videogame "infamous second son", because of the powers and the characters. The characters are really cool... but i want to see more character development, i want to care more.
Its a mature read!
Cant wait to read the second volume!!!
May 1, 2016
WAYWARD is by far the most intelligent urban fantasy comic I've laid eyes on. It's the type of comic whose teenage ingénue and emotional flexibility hit the mark from Page One. It rarely happens. WAYWARD is a rare book.
Now landing in her second home of Japan, Rori Lane journeys anew and discovers her remarkable magic-weaving abilities on the spot. The teenager is a good but uncommon fit as Tokyo's reluctant hero: she holds great disdain for inaction, she values covering her bases, and her sense of right and wrong, though skewed to her fragmented emotional interests, is nevertheless present. She also packs a mean punch (with or without a grocery bag in hand).
Rori's introduction to the demons, goblins, and ghouls of Japanese folklore is all parts funny, smart, odd, and ridiculously cool, and it's what gives WAYWARD a good chunk of its charm. The best example are the fox yokai, whom series creators Jim Zub and Steve Cummings cleverly manifest as hulking samurai-beasts with a(n) (humorously) irrational fear of human technology. Kitsune legends vary far and wide, and it's a pleasure to find a book whose writer/artist team knows precisely the story they wish to tell and how to tell it.
Cummings' line art is outstanding. If you meet someone who disagrees, punch them in the face.
His sense of "cool Japan" is not bubbly or commercial or even, necessarily, "cool." It's just Japan, really. Cummings lives and works in Japan. And his understanding (and experience) of the look, feel, smell, and disposition of the Japanese people and their desires gives WAYWARD nuance. Cracks in an apartment building; school cafeteria benches; vending machines for iced coffee at the park; decidedly boring peri-urban Tokyo, complete with laundered bedsheets on the terrace. Cummings' work is succinct, and it feels right.
This book's genuine sense of place and function is likewise reflected in its characters. Character art is very personable (e.g., Rori pinning her hair back; Ayane wanders, easily distracted), and the discriminating color scheme is jaw-dropping and effective (e.g., Rori has red hair, fashionably mixes patterns/solids, and always wears boots). The first two issues are more deliberate as far as ensuring Rori stands out of a crowd (e.g., muted and dry urban milieu), but even in subsequent stories, the art finds a way to keep pace and snare your attention (e.g., fighting underground, where it's dark).
WAYWARD is a good book. If it doesn't blow you away, then that's okay; it's not supposed to. It's supposed to lure you in and give you a pinch of awe as you nod your head, thinking, at first, "This is pretty cool. I get it. I like it." But then someone's head gets ripped off, someone devours a ghoul with their bare hands, or someone self-harms because the spinning chaos of the real world is too much of an anesthetic. WAYWARD is tagged "M" for mature readers (adults), but make no mistake, teenagers will quickly identify with every frustration and trauma Rori encounters in her incipient adulthood.
Now landing in her second home of Japan, Rori Lane journeys anew and discovers her remarkable magic-weaving abilities on the spot. The teenager is a good but uncommon fit as Tokyo's reluctant hero: she holds great disdain for inaction, she values covering her bases, and her sense of right and wrong, though skewed to her fragmented emotional interests, is nevertheless present. She also packs a mean punch (with or without a grocery bag in hand).
Rori's introduction to the demons, goblins, and ghouls of Japanese folklore is all parts funny, smart, odd, and ridiculously cool, and it's what gives WAYWARD a good chunk of its charm. The best example are the fox yokai, whom series creators Jim Zub and Steve Cummings cleverly manifest as hulking samurai-beasts with a(n) (humorously) irrational fear of human technology. Kitsune legends vary far and wide, and it's a pleasure to find a book whose writer/artist team knows precisely the story they wish to tell and how to tell it.
Cummings' line art is outstanding. If you meet someone who disagrees, punch them in the face.
His sense of "cool Japan" is not bubbly or commercial or even, necessarily, "cool." It's just Japan, really. Cummings lives and works in Japan. And his understanding (and experience) of the look, feel, smell, and disposition of the Japanese people and their desires gives WAYWARD nuance. Cracks in an apartment building; school cafeteria benches; vending machines for iced coffee at the park; decidedly boring peri-urban Tokyo, complete with laundered bedsheets on the terrace. Cummings' work is succinct, and it feels right.
This book's genuine sense of place and function is likewise reflected in its characters. Character art is very personable (e.g., Rori pinning her hair back; Ayane wanders, easily distracted), and the discriminating color scheme is jaw-dropping and effective (e.g., Rori has red hair, fashionably mixes patterns/solids, and always wears boots). The first two issues are more deliberate as far as ensuring Rori stands out of a crowd (e.g., muted and dry urban milieu), but even in subsequent stories, the art finds a way to keep pace and snare your attention (e.g., fighting underground, where it's dark).
WAYWARD is a good book. If it doesn't blow you away, then that's okay; it's not supposed to. It's supposed to lure you in and give you a pinch of awe as you nod your head, thinking, at first, "This is pretty cool. I get it. I like it." But then someone's head gets ripped off, someone devours a ghoul with their bare hands, or someone self-harms because the spinning chaos of the real world is too much of an anesthetic. WAYWARD is tagged "M" for mature readers (adults), but make no mistake, teenagers will quickly identify with every frustration and trauma Rori encounters in her incipient adulthood.
September 3, 2015
On the surface, Wayward seemed like my kind of book - lovely artwork, interesting setting, cultural mythology inspired themes, cool character designs. Outside of some Twitter recommendations and the brief synopsis, I jumped into this knowing very little about it. Unfortunately, I didn't find it to be a fulfilling or entertaining read.
*** Mild Spoilers Below ***
I wonder if this is the kind of book that really "works" for readers who are newer to comics, who don't recognize the tropes and repetitive story elements. I don't mean to diminish anyone else's enjoyment of the book. If you loved it, that's great. But, for me, all of the story beats were too easy and too familiar: Main character runs into thugs/trouble in an alley; is saved by the perfectly timed intervention of a stranger. Protagonists meet and fight before abruptly deciding to be friends. A "team" is already hastily assembled by the 3rd issue (including the Nikaido character, who joins more-or-less by default with almost zero introduction). It's the comic book version of a D&D starter adventure, just with different stage dressing, with echoes of every classic Marvel Stan Lee tale.
The book carries a "Mature Readers" tag, mostly because of Shirai constant swearing, and Rori's self-destructive way of dealing with stress overload (which is one of the more interesting parts of the story). But nothing about the dialogue or story feels mature. Yes, the characters are teenagers, so maturity in their own characterizations should vary. But the conversations are very flat and VERY on-the-nose. Rori's inner monologues were particularly bothersome in their telling-instead-of-showing manner. (The "OMG, I'm not a leader! What's happening?! Why am I leading?!" section was particularly grating.) The "witty" banter doesn't have any bite. It all feels like a CW TV show aimed at teenagers, just with more F-bombs. The emotional core - feeling displaced in an unfamiliar country; struggling against uncommon circumstances - doesn't have room to breathe as the plot rushes forward.
The last chapter of this first volume ends with some pretty heavy events. But they come too quickly, happening to characters that have had so little development. So the big "shocking" ending doesn't have any weight. That cliffhanger should have made me salivate for the next volume. Instead, it created an easy jumping-off point. I didn't get enough enjoyment from this book to want to spend any more time in this world.
The phrase "Good for you, just not for me" comes to mind here. Wayward may well offer exactly what a lot of readers are looking for. It just didn't entertain me, or inspire any emotional reaction other than mild frustration. The world-building and visual design are very strong, but the story didn't make me care about any of the characters.
*** Mild Spoilers Below ***
I wonder if this is the kind of book that really "works" for readers who are newer to comics, who don't recognize the tropes and repetitive story elements. I don't mean to diminish anyone else's enjoyment of the book. If you loved it, that's great. But, for me, all of the story beats were too easy and too familiar: Main character runs into thugs/trouble in an alley; is saved by the perfectly timed intervention of a stranger. Protagonists meet and fight before abruptly deciding to be friends. A "team" is already hastily assembled by the 3rd issue (including the Nikaido character, who joins more-or-less by default with almost zero introduction). It's the comic book version of a D&D starter adventure, just with different stage dressing, with echoes of every classic Marvel Stan Lee tale.
The book carries a "Mature Readers" tag, mostly because of Shirai constant swearing, and Rori's self-destructive way of dealing with stress overload (which is one of the more interesting parts of the story). But nothing about the dialogue or story feels mature. Yes, the characters are teenagers, so maturity in their own characterizations should vary. But the conversations are very flat and VERY on-the-nose. Rori's inner monologues were particularly bothersome in their telling-instead-of-showing manner. (The "OMG, I'm not a leader! What's happening?! Why am I leading?!" section was particularly grating.) The "witty" banter doesn't have any bite. It all feels like a CW TV show aimed at teenagers, just with more F-bombs. The emotional core - feeling displaced in an unfamiliar country; struggling against uncommon circumstances - doesn't have room to breathe as the plot rushes forward.
The last chapter of this first volume ends with some pretty heavy events. But they come too quickly, happening to characters that have had so little development. So the big "shocking" ending doesn't have any weight. That cliffhanger should have made me salivate for the next volume. Instead, it created an easy jumping-off point. I didn't get enough enjoyment from this book to want to spend any more time in this world.
The phrase "Good for you, just not for me" comes to mind here. Wayward may well offer exactly what a lot of readers are looking for. It just didn't entertain me, or inspire any emotional reaction other than mild frustration. The world-building and visual design are very strong, but the story didn't make me care about any of the characters.
April 10, 2016
Loved this graphic novel. Fantastic art, great introduction to the awesome characters and tons of intriguing Japanese folklore and spirits.
I can tell this series has so much potential to be even greater!
I can tell this series has so much potential to be even greater!
January 14, 2019
The art in this is amazing. The colours so vivid. However I just never connected with the characters or the story. I felt that the story lends itself to readers who love anime, Japanese culture but I also found it had YA elements. Solid fun just not something for me.
September 25, 2016
worthless and insulting.
November 30, 2017
TW: SELF HARM.
Not the best graphic, but not bad. I will be reading more! The Japanese Folklore has me intrigued!
Not the best graphic, but not bad. I will be reading more! The Japanese Folklore has me intrigued!
April 23, 2015
'Wayward, Vol. 1: String Theory' has a cool story by Jim Zub and great art by Steve Cummings. The story takes place in Tokyo, and in a forward by Zack Davisson, we learn that this Japan feels more like the one people live in (minus the yokai) rather than the fantastical "Japan as Decoration." I've never been to Japan, but the book's location has a different feel to it.
Rori Lane is moving to Japan to live with her mom. She's leaving Ireland and her father behind, and hoping for a new life in Japan. Before long, she starts something unusual happening with her. She also seems like a magnet for other young people with interesting powers. They keep getting attacked by yokai in the form of people. There are kappas and kitsune among others. Can this group of friends band together and figure out how to fight off this new evil?
We don't find out in this volume because the story doesn't finish here, but it's still well worth checking out.
I liked the characters and the concept. The art is amazing, as are the colors. The powers are interesting, and I want to read more. That's always a good sign. If you want something similar, and yet very different in your graphic novel, this is a good twist on a superhero novel.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this first volume in a great new series.
Rori Lane is moving to Japan to live with her mom. She's leaving Ireland and her father behind, and hoping for a new life in Japan. Before long, she starts something unusual happening with her. She also seems like a magnet for other young people with interesting powers. They keep getting attacked by yokai in the form of people. There are kappas and kitsune among others. Can this group of friends band together and figure out how to fight off this new evil?
We don't find out in this volume because the story doesn't finish here, but it's still well worth checking out.
I liked the characters and the concept. The art is amazing, as are the colors. The powers are interesting, and I want to read more. That's always a good sign. If you want something similar, and yet very different in your graphic novel, this is a good twist on a superhero novel.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this first volume in a great new series.
April 15, 2015
Hmmm...what did I think?
Well, I hesitate to give this volume a 2 stars, but in terms of the story it is. As far as first volumes go, this one is a little weak. It is most obviously a "set-up" for future issues. The story was just "meh". There were a lot of logical questions that Zub failed to answer, such as what the heck is going on in Tokyo. Rori's reaction to all the supernatural events that happen to her is not very believable. Furthermore, she also seemed a little caricatured. What girl from Ireland would dress and look like her right off the bat? Ayane and the others seem like typical character archetypes from so many anime series. The art was also very typical except for a few magnificent full-page spreads that divided each "chapter".
In the end, I'm giving Wayward a 2.5 because I love Japanese mythology, I love all the cats, I am a huge fan of the magic system introduced in Volume 1, and I think it has promise. Will you get obsessed over it? No, but it is action packed and has that superhero feel to it (with a Japanese twist). I have high hopes for the next volume. I hope the world, the characters and the plot get fleshed out a little more.
The final verdict: check it out if you want something fun and fresh, but don't expect to be dazzled.
Well, I hesitate to give this volume a 2 stars, but in terms of the story it is. As far as first volumes go, this one is a little weak. It is most obviously a "set-up" for future issues. The story was just "meh". There were a lot of logical questions that Zub failed to answer, such as what the heck is going on in Tokyo. Rori's reaction to all the supernatural events that happen to her is not very believable. Furthermore, she also seemed a little caricatured. What girl from Ireland would dress and look like her right off the bat? Ayane and the others seem like typical character archetypes from so many anime series. The art was also very typical except for a few magnificent full-page spreads that divided each "chapter".
In the end, I'm giving Wayward a 2.5 because I love Japanese mythology, I love all the cats, I am a huge fan of the magic system introduced in Volume 1, and I think it has promise. Will you get obsessed over it? No, but it is action packed and has that superhero feel to it (with a Japanese twist). I have high hopes for the next volume. I hope the world, the characters and the plot get fleshed out a little more.
The final verdict: check it out if you want something fun and fresh, but don't expect to be dazzled.
June 27, 2015
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
This first volume in the wayward series does one thing splendidly; it's a good description of Japan, for as far as I can tell. It feels real and fellow reader have experienced the same thing.
The story itself, unfortunately, is not that spectacular. A young girl moves from Ireland to her mother in Japan, and despite all the stories she must have heard, is still quite culture-shocked. It even gets worse when all kind of figures, apparently from Japanese mythology.
At first I was intrigued when the strings first showed up, but unfortunately the rest of the story was quite generic hero's emergence story. None of the characters stood out for me. This being said, as this felt like it was building up into something more (hopefully with better character development) and I liked learning about Japanese culture, I might try the next volume.
String Theory is the first volume of the Wayward series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This first volume in the wayward series does one thing splendidly; it's a good description of Japan, for as far as I can tell. It feels real and fellow reader have experienced the same thing.
The story itself, unfortunately, is not that spectacular. A young girl moves from Ireland to her mother in Japan, and despite all the stories she must have heard, is still quite culture-shocked. It even gets worse when all kind of figures, apparently from Japanese mythology.
At first I was intrigued when the strings first showed up, but unfortunately the rest of the story was quite generic hero's emergence story. None of the characters stood out for me. This being said, as this felt like it was building up into something more (hopefully with better character development) and I liked learning about Japanese culture, I might try the next volume.
String Theory is the first volume of the Wayward series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
November 19, 2015
Oh my God. This is like Buffy. Half-Japanese Buffy in Japan.
This is epic. I can't say too much about the characters, but so far, I absolutely love them. I can't say much about the story, but so far, I absolutely love it.
Volume 1 is like one big introduction. There's not much to talk about yet, but holy moly, this is awesome.
This is epic. I can't say too much about the characters, but so far, I absolutely love them. I can't say much about the story, but so far, I absolutely love it.
Volume 1 is like one big introduction. There's not much to talk about yet, but holy moly, this is awesome.
March 20, 2018
Interesting and intriguing. Couldn't help but think of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Japan.
Cool graphic novel!
Cool graphic novel!
March 29, 2018
Zanimljivo i nije lose nacrtano. Iako mi Japanci ne izgledaju ko Japanci i nije Sagi ni do koljena.
March 24, 2021
An Irish-Japanese high school student moves to Japan to live with her mother and immediately develops magical superpowers (she says it's weird and confusing but she doesn't act like it.) Because of "destiny," she happens to meet three other magical teenagers: a boy who gains super strength by eating spirits; a girl who turns into cats, plural; and a little boy who explodes. This is fortunate, because there are monsters to fight everywhere.
Wayward is a light, easy read, not very texty and nice to look at. The art pops, the Japanese spirit demons and Rori's magical perception in particular.
But there's little else to it. Teen spontaneously gets magic and fights monsters. Not at all un-fun but about as weighty as an after-school cartoon.
Wayward is a light, easy read, not very texty and nice to look at. The art pops, the Japanese spirit demons and Rori's magical perception in particular.
But there's little else to it. Teen spontaneously gets magic and fights monsters. Not at all un-fun but about as weighty as an after-school cartoon.
July 13, 2021
Promising series.
Hopefully, some back story and explanation on the next volume. The magic was introduced without explanation so it felt unconvincing and forced. And the reaction of the mc about discovering it is not that believable. But, if I'm being naive, I really enjoy reading this volume, especially that it is about superpowers, monsters and Japan.
The art and illustrations are gorgeous.
Hopefully, some back story and explanation on the next volume. The magic was introduced without explanation so it felt unconvincing and forced. And the reaction of the mc about discovering it is not that believable. But, if I'm being naive, I really enjoy reading this volume, especially that it is about superpowers, monsters and Japan.
The art and illustrations are gorgeous.
June 5, 2016
Let's just take a moment to bask at the gloryfulness that is the cover of this book.
What do you imagine?
I imagine a runaway, who's been hunted by shadow monsters because of a scared power she held deep within herself, most probably tied to her by a curse. Maybe she lived with the people of the night, trying to destroy that evil spirit that always possesses the neighborhood cats. I imagine a heroine that shouldn't be taken lightly, who's strong and passionate about what she does. A powerful one too, who is far off from stereotypes. A novel full of lurking ancient magic, witches, sacred spells and ancient ghosts. A twisted story that leaves you on edge and your head spinning at every turn of the page. I imagine well-developed characters with distinct backstories and fun dialogues. Just the perfect story my body was itching to read.
And this is exactly why you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.
This book did nothing to capture my attention. Nothing. As soon as I got a couple pages in, I knew exactly how the book would turn out. I found myself rolling my eyes at their attempts at conversation. I found myself constantly growing bored and wanting to just stop reading this. Not a good sign, guys. The only thing that kept this book along were the random bits of action, though it failed to explain the reason behind the attacks. - Other than, of course, to allow the author introduce something new to the book.
She walks into a creepy alley for some strange reason and meets some guys who *gasp* aren't exactly friendly. Hmm, Rory, I wonder why people don't walk into a dark deserted alley in a city crawling with people. You'd think the main character would have a little more common sense.
Beginning with Rory, moving to Tokyo after the divorce of her parents, shes thrust into a completely new world. There wasn't much to her character other than her bland personality and the fact that she found almost everything "weird". Like it amazes me how she could look at a kid feeding on spirits and find it "weird" or her vision goes all supernatural and she suddenly sees a freaking path to a place shes never been to and just goes, "Oh wow, that was weird." How?!?! Let's not even mention her simple train of thoughts. I'm not even kidding, 60% of the book is just Rory and her going:
.
Oh, spare me.
On to her group, we have the Over-Excited Pinky Pie aka Ayane, who's unnaturally happy almost all the time (although, I must say, I kinda like her); Mr. Unnecessarily-Pissed (Shirai), angry street destroyer extraordinaire; and Boy Helpless McMerlin (Nikaido), who seriously gives me the creeps. Huh, now guess who doesn't want to be team leader. So original, am I right?
Other than the really slow and painful start, it begins to pick up near the end (Part of the reason why this didn't get a 1 but a 3). As predictable as this was, I did like that mysterious vibe it gave off. I'll will continue on with this series to see if it gets any better. I recommend this to those who aren't heavy/picky readers. Not much to say other than that really. *slumps and tries to hide the disappointment* Sigh.
What do you imagine?
I imagine a runaway, who's been hunted by shadow monsters because of a scared power she held deep within herself, most probably tied to her by a curse. Maybe she lived with the people of the night, trying to destroy that evil spirit that always possesses the neighborhood cats. I imagine a heroine that shouldn't be taken lightly, who's strong and passionate about what she does. A powerful one too, who is far off from stereotypes. A novel full of lurking ancient magic, witches, sacred spells and ancient ghosts. A twisted story that leaves you on edge and your head spinning at every turn of the page. I imagine well-developed characters with distinct backstories and fun dialogues. Just the perfect story my body was itching to read.
And this is exactly why you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.
This book did nothing to capture my attention. Nothing. As soon as I got a couple pages in, I knew exactly how the book would turn out. I found myself rolling my eyes at their attempts at conversation. I found myself constantly growing bored and wanting to just stop reading this. Not a good sign, guys. The only thing that kept this book along were the random bits of action, though it failed to explain the reason behind the attacks. - Other than, of course, to allow the author introduce something new to the book.
She walks into a creepy alley for some strange reason and meets some guys who *gasp* aren't exactly friendly. Hmm, Rory, I wonder why people don't walk into a dark deserted alley in a city crawling with people. You'd think the main character would have a little more common sense.
Guy 1: "Don't be scared, we're nice guys."They attack her, and surprise! stranger to the rescue! Sounds a bit familiar to you? I wonder why. Just convenient, isn't it? She walks into an alley for no actual reason at all and learns of her true powers. I was expecting a little more creativity and depth to the story instead of the characters just doing things for the sake of moving the story along.
Guy 2: "They're nice, but I'm not."
Beginning with Rory, moving to Tokyo after the divorce of her parents, shes thrust into a completely new world. There wasn't much to her character other than her bland personality and the fact that she found almost everything "weird". Like it amazes me how she could look at a kid feeding on spirits and find it "weird" or her vision goes all supernatural and she suddenly sees a freaking path to a place shes never been to and just goes, "Oh wow, that was weird." How?!?! Let's not even mention her simple train of thoughts. I'm not even kidding, 60% of the book is just Rory and her going:
. Oh, spare me.
On to her group, we have the Over-Excited Pinky Pie aka Ayane, who's unnaturally happy almost all the time (although, I must say, I kinda like her); Mr. Unnecessarily-Pissed (Shirai), angry street destroyer extraordinaire; and Boy Helpless McMerlin (Nikaido), who seriously gives me the creeps. Huh, now guess who doesn't want to be team leader. So original, am I right?
Other than the really slow and painful start, it begins to pick up near the end (Part of the reason why this didn't get a 1 but a 3). As predictable as this was, I did like that mysterious vibe it gave off. I'll will continue on with this series to see if it gets any better. I recommend this to those who aren't heavy/picky readers. Not much to say other than that really. *slumps and tries to hide the disappointment* Sigh.
April 7, 2016
Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from Net Galley. Originally posted at Full of Words.
The art in Wayward Volume One is probably the best part of an otherwise cliché book. The backgrounds are gritty and realistic in a way that feels completely grounded, and the character art is bright and stylized. Unfortunately, all of that beautiful design is in service of story about yet another teenager discovering hidden magical powers and using them to fight monsters.
Rori Lane is half-Irish and half-Japanese, which means she speaks the language but has a head of bright red hair that makes her stand out in a Japanese crowd. The story opens when she moves to Japan to live with her mother after a (so far unexplained) falling out with her father. Her mother works long hours and is hardly ever home, but Rori seems to have nowhere else to go, so the arrangement works.
There are the occasional interesting details, but they feel more like window-dressing than real characterization. Rori’s mixed heritage means she’ll never really fit in, no matter how well she learns to speak Japanese. The author plays with that theme, but doesn’t dig deeper than a moment where her teacher tells her to dye her hair black so that people won’t think she’s a troublemaker. We also learn that Rori is a secret cutter, but the revelation feels completely arbitrary and gratuitous because it doesn’t have any impact on the story. Ultimately it just feels like a cynical attempt to add depth to the story.
The other characters aren’t given much more depth than their magical abilities, but at least Ayane – a magical “cat girl” – is entertaining and strange. The story rushes through Rori discovering her powers and meeting other powered characters so that it can get to the fight scenes. I don’t necessarily prefer stories that dwell on characters discovering a secret world in plain sight, but Rori starts out the book lost in another country and ends up leading a team of magical teenagers in a very short amount of time. Additionally, the dialogue is oftentimes very wooden, reading as if Zub is trying to imitate English poorly translated from Japanese.
Ultimately the art and colors are the only things I actually liked about this book. Without the art, you have nothing but a story that relies on well-worn tropes, limited characterization, and dialog that is both wooden and unnecessarily vulgar. I doubt I’ll pick up another volume.
The art in Wayward Volume One is probably the best part of an otherwise cliché book. The backgrounds are gritty and realistic in a way that feels completely grounded, and the character art is bright and stylized. Unfortunately, all of that beautiful design is in service of story about yet another teenager discovering hidden magical powers and using them to fight monsters.
Rori Lane is half-Irish and half-Japanese, which means she speaks the language but has a head of bright red hair that makes her stand out in a Japanese crowd. The story opens when she moves to Japan to live with her mother after a (so far unexplained) falling out with her father. Her mother works long hours and is hardly ever home, but Rori seems to have nowhere else to go, so the arrangement works.
There are the occasional interesting details, but they feel more like window-dressing than real characterization. Rori’s mixed heritage means she’ll never really fit in, no matter how well she learns to speak Japanese. The author plays with that theme, but doesn’t dig deeper than a moment where her teacher tells her to dye her hair black so that people won’t think she’s a troublemaker. We also learn that Rori is a secret cutter, but the revelation feels completely arbitrary and gratuitous because it doesn’t have any impact on the story. Ultimately it just feels like a cynical attempt to add depth to the story.
The other characters aren’t given much more depth than their magical abilities, but at least Ayane – a magical “cat girl” – is entertaining and strange. The story rushes through Rori discovering her powers and meeting other powered characters so that it can get to the fight scenes. I don’t necessarily prefer stories that dwell on characters discovering a secret world in plain sight, but Rori starts out the book lost in another country and ends up leading a team of magical teenagers in a very short amount of time. Additionally, the dialogue is oftentimes very wooden, reading as if Zub is trying to imitate English poorly translated from Japanese.
Ultimately the art and colors are the only things I actually liked about this book. Without the art, you have nothing but a story that relies on well-worn tropes, limited characterization, and dialog that is both wooden and unnecessarily vulgar. I doubt I’ll pick up another volume.
May 16, 2015
I got a copy of this graphic novel to review through NetGalley. I was drawn to the cover and then when I read the synopsis I was hooked. This ended up being a well done urban fantasy graphic novel of sorts with beautiful full color illustration.
Rori Lane wants to start a new life with her mother in Japan. She leaves her dad in Ireland and makes her way to Tokyo. When Rori arrives she finds out her mother, who is a seamstress, works a ton and has very odd working hours. So, Rori starts to roam the streets of Tokyo on her own. There she finds out that she can see glowing paths and that dark evil things haunt the streets of Tokyo after dark. She ends up meeting a couple other kids that have strange abilities like her own and they set out to confront the evil on Tokyo’s streets.
I really enjoyed the artwork throughout, the illustration are beautiful and engaging.
Rori goes into Tokyo completely unprepared for the issues her mixed heritage will cause her. She struggles to keep up in school and is pulled aside and told to “do something” about her crazy natural red hair (red hair is frowned upon in school). Rori also has some other issues with loneliness and coping that are just brushed upon in this novel. In one scene she is shown cutting herself in private to feel more real.
While wandering the streets at night she meets a variety of scary monsters that all seem to be based in Japanese mythology. I really enjoyed that Japanese mythology was tied into the story; all these monsters are supposedly the harbingers of something even more evil that it on it’s way.
Rori also meets some other kids who have strange powers like her. There is a cat girl who can communicate with cats and is very acrobatic and a boy who can eat evil spirits and use the energy he obtains from that to fight.
The ending was left pretty open and was a bit confusing. It seems like Rori’s mom is not who Rori thought she was, but all that was left pretty open-ended...so I am assuming we will gain better understanding of that in the next volume.
Overall there was a lot I loved here. I loved the characters and their cool powers and also the creepy monsters based in Japanese mythology. The illustration was top notch and the story was well done (if a bit confusing at the end). I would recommend to young adult and older readers who enjoy creepy urban fantasy type graphic novels.
Rori Lane wants to start a new life with her mother in Japan. She leaves her dad in Ireland and makes her way to Tokyo. When Rori arrives she finds out her mother, who is a seamstress, works a ton and has very odd working hours. So, Rori starts to roam the streets of Tokyo on her own. There she finds out that she can see glowing paths and that dark evil things haunt the streets of Tokyo after dark. She ends up meeting a couple other kids that have strange abilities like her own and they set out to confront the evil on Tokyo’s streets.
I really enjoyed the artwork throughout, the illustration are beautiful and engaging.
Rori goes into Tokyo completely unprepared for the issues her mixed heritage will cause her. She struggles to keep up in school and is pulled aside and told to “do something” about her crazy natural red hair (red hair is frowned upon in school). Rori also has some other issues with loneliness and coping that are just brushed upon in this novel. In one scene she is shown cutting herself in private to feel more real.
While wandering the streets at night she meets a variety of scary monsters that all seem to be based in Japanese mythology. I really enjoyed that Japanese mythology was tied into the story; all these monsters are supposedly the harbingers of something even more evil that it on it’s way.
Rori also meets some other kids who have strange powers like her. There is a cat girl who can communicate with cats and is very acrobatic and a boy who can eat evil spirits and use the energy he obtains from that to fight.
The ending was left pretty open and was a bit confusing. It seems like Rori’s mom is not who Rori thought she was, but all that was left pretty open-ended...so I am assuming we will gain better understanding of that in the next volume.
Overall there was a lot I loved here. I loved the characters and their cool powers and also the creepy monsters based in Japanese mythology. The illustration was top notch and the story was well done (if a bit confusing at the end). I would recommend to young adult and older readers who enjoy creepy urban fantasy type graphic novels.
August 20, 2017
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
I picked up the first volume of Wayward on a whim. Mike and I were about to go tent camping, and we figured that reading comics in the tent would be fun, so I ordered a bunch of random trades published by Image. For any non-comic-book-fans, Image is interesting because characters belong to the authors rather than the publisher. That means that rather than the same DC/Marvel superheroes, you get more experimental and often artsy works.
Wayward is one such example that I happened to love. The basic premise is this: a half Irish half Japanese girl named Rori has lived her whole life in Ireland. But her parents are divorced, and now she’s moving to Japan to live with her mother. When Rori goes to Japan, she is one of the only people who can see yokai, or spirits/monsters. She can also see the threads of physics (I guess?) that lead to different events.
Oh, and did I mention that there are cats?
Here are some quick thoughts on the book:
-I loved the artwork in this volume. It’s got this whole sunset color thing going on, with lots of dark blue nighttime shadows, but then bright hues of pink and green to really pop and keep it from seeming too grim.
-I also liked that (from a naive Westerner’s perspective anyway) Wayward made an effort to get Japan right, rather than treating Japanese lore as a decoration. And it was especially cool to read a comic set in Japan because I spent last weekend at an anime convention and went to a panel on the yokai, which made me want to read more about them.
-Wayward is a pretty straightforward story–it’s easy to follow, and doesn’t get confusing. There are times when it’s almost too straightforward. This is definitely a book where the setting and atmosphere are stronger than the plot.
-CATS!!!!!!!! Need I say more?
I enjoyed Wayward enough that I felt the irresistible urge to order the second volume immediately. Make of that what you will.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
I picked up the first volume of Wayward on a whim. Mike and I were about to go tent camping, and we figured that reading comics in the tent would be fun, so I ordered a bunch of random trades published by Image. For any non-comic-book-fans, Image is interesting because characters belong to the authors rather than the publisher. That means that rather than the same DC/Marvel superheroes, you get more experimental and often artsy works.
Wayward is one such example that I happened to love. The basic premise is this: a half Irish half Japanese girl named Rori has lived her whole life in Ireland. But her parents are divorced, and now she’s moving to Japan to live with her mother. When Rori goes to Japan, she is one of the only people who can see yokai, or spirits/monsters. She can also see the threads of physics (I guess?) that lead to different events.
Oh, and did I mention that there are cats?
Here are some quick thoughts on the book:
-I loved the artwork in this volume. It’s got this whole sunset color thing going on, with lots of dark blue nighttime shadows, but then bright hues of pink and green to really pop and keep it from seeming too grim.
-I also liked that (from a naive Westerner’s perspective anyway) Wayward made an effort to get Japan right, rather than treating Japanese lore as a decoration. And it was especially cool to read a comic set in Japan because I spent last weekend at an anime convention and went to a panel on the yokai, which made me want to read more about them.
-Wayward is a pretty straightforward story–it’s easy to follow, and doesn’t get confusing. There are times when it’s almost too straightforward. This is definitely a book where the setting and atmosphere are stronger than the plot.
-CATS!!!!!!!! Need I say more?
I enjoyed Wayward enough that I felt the irresistible urge to order the second volume immediately. Make of that what you will.
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