| Comic Review | Paul Milligan |
Emily
Edison
Writer: David Hopkins
Artist: Brock Rizy
The super-powered daughter of a super-genius repairman and a
noblewoman from another dimension, Emily Edison was torn
between two worlds when her parents divorced. While Emily
spends every other weekend in her mother’s dimension she
finds it boring and is much more comfortable living on earth
with her father. Unfortunately her other-dimensional
grandfather is dead set on seeing that Emily remains in her
mother’s world forever and to that end is constantly
plotting the destruction of earth. Though she’d rather just
hang out with her friends and go to the high school dance
with the boy she’s crushing on, Emily must protect the world
that she loves from her grandfather’s continuous onslaught.
Readers of my weekly column know that
Emily Edison
is a comic book I have been anticipating for some time now.
From everything I’d seen and heard about the book I was
looking forward to reading something that was
unapologetically fun and exciting, something that existed
purely to entertain and excite the mind of its readers. When
I finally read the book I got exactly what I was looking
for. Plain and simple, Emily Edison equals fun!
I remember reading in an interview with writer
David Hopkins that one of the main reasons
he wrote this story was to create something that he would be
able to share with his daughter. He wanted to create
something that is all too rare in comics these days, a story
that kids could read and enjoy and be blown away by. In that
he has succeeded, all without dumbing down the material or
presenting it in a way that appears juvenile. He and his
collaborator,
Brock Rizy, have
produced a graphic novel that is truly an all-ages book.
There aren’t a lot of “adult” jokes or situations thrown in
to make it more appealing to an older crowd. Emily Edison
can be enjoyed by the youngest to the oldest readers for the
exact same reasons. It is simply a great story that any
reader, no matter their age, can come away from feeling the
same way – solidly entertained.
I have to admit though that what first attracted me to and
got me excited about the book was Brock Rizy’s artwork. His
unique style, which combines simple, clean lines with an
amazing attention to detail, grabbed my attention instantly.
I was hooked and hungry for more. So when I finally got a
copy of Emily Edison in my hands I was incredibly anxious to
crack open the cover and just stare at the gorgeously
rendered pages. Matching the story perfectly, Rizy’s art is
bright, shiny, richly colorful and larger than life. Adding
yet another layer to the work is the unique visual
distinction representing Emily’s two worlds. Emily’s earth
is presented in a more traditional art style, with black
outlines and shading, while her mother’s world is displayed
with a cut out paper look, making each world, and its
denizens, instantly recognizable. And let’s not forget the
character and creature designs, not to mention those great
costumes. Seriously, I could go on forever.
With Emily Edison, Hopkins and Rizy have created an
action-packed story (one that actually delivers on the
action it promises) while mixing in some wholly heartfelt
lessons about family, friendship and responsibility that
never feel forced or heavy handed. This book has it all,
from super-powered pillow fights (perhaps my favorite scene
of the entire story) to evil robots to giant tentacled
monsters eating cities combined with some great humor and
delightfully tender moments. If you’re looking for a solid
story, great action and dazzling artwork, whether for your
child, for yourself or perhaps both, then look no further
than Emily Edison.
