Review: Figment #2

Blarion Mercurial’s journey into a fantastical new world continues in Figment #2! The highlight of the book is of course the title character. Figment provides excellent comedic relief from having no clue what piliferous is to sounding out kah-cough-phony and mentioning a Chair Man.

The world Blair and Figment have arrived in is gorgeous. Jean-Francois Beaulieu uses bright, vibrant colors from pink trees to red birds and dark green plants to long, flowing blue valleys. Artist Filipe Andrade provides a vast landscape with a multitude of terrains. He fills the world with interesting creatures including the aforementioned red birds, but also a giant winged dog-like creature. Andrade really sells the creature as dog-like in its mannerisms from a lolling tongue to its hidden grin as he leads Blair on a game of catch-me-if-you-can.

Writer Jim Zub allows Andrade and Beaulieu to carry much of the story with many of the first pages involving Figment and Blair plummeting to the surface of this new fascinating world. He does build upon their relationship with a combination of serious questions from Blair and playful, pointing out the obvious answers from Figment. However, parts of the dialogue seem forced and unnatural to the characters speaking the words. At one point, a storm is brewing on the horizon and Blair wonders what it could be; Figment responds “You talk too much. This place is wonderful. Let’s explore!”

The book also in parts carries a very different tone from the first one; it becomes more serious especially when the Chair Man attempts to close the portal. Zub introduces the counter to Blair’s imagination and chaotic creativity, Order. The introduction of this character removes the importance of the journey through imagination that Blair is on. The focus shifts from the journey to the apparent villain he will eventually face. This new threat does add another dimension to the realm of imagination. It is not always a joy ride along a yellow brick road, but can sometimes be filled with nightmares.

One of those nightmares pops up in the form of winged-aliens. The winged-aliens set out to capture our lead characters, but in doing so they must use alliteration to “Capture the clowns, quick and quiet!” Zub’s ability to incorporate alliteration into everything the aliens say adds the fun back into the story and he balances a direct, serious threat with fun dialogue.

7.0	The fun journey into imagination is halted with the appearance of a very serious threat, which will need to be confronted.