There’s a reason nearly every review you’ll read about the new book from BOOM! Studios and EvilInk Comics is saying essentially “Translucid” is how a comic book story should begin. That reason is the creative team of Claudio Sanchez, Chondra Echert and artist Daniel Bayliss have produced one of the most exciting creator-owned issue ones of 2014. The pacing is perfect with small glances at previous events to expand on the hero of the story, The Navigator. The flashbacks in this issue are done right because they’re quick, they explain exactly what you’ll need to know as you move forward through the narrative and they don’t bog down the over-all story. That story mind you, is one in which The Navigators long running nemesis has been captured by fellow villains for nefarious “boom goes the dynamite” kind of reasons. Like The Batman rescuing The Joker or Spider-man swinging in to save Doc Ock, The Navigator just can’t help himself when it comes to rescuing The Horse.
“Translucid” is ordered disorder. It is a duality tale of a different nature.
Of course, The Navigator would have everyone think that the reason he’s saving the day is to protect the cities landmark building. But, with any love-sick relationship between obsessive hero and compulsive villain, we all know otherwise. The Navigator uses all manner of self-constructed holo-graphic tools and high tech gear while The Horse is a bit of every great villain from a rogues gallery. He’s not just compulsive for the sake of chaos and the servitude of creating a greater hero, no The Horse’s plan is deep and by the end of the issue The Navigator will have fallen face first into it.
Images courtesy of BOOM! Studios
The writing is refreshing and that’s certainly because of the report the two writers have with one another. Chondra and Claudio are perfect compliments to each other’s strengths and weaknesses. What’s more is that they’ve found in Daniel Bayliss an artist with a grasp on the darker side of being a super hero. Previous comic work from Bayliss isn’t exactly easy to find but you’ll be glad once you’ve looked. To save you time, after this article go and read his fan comic short written by Gerardo Preciado. The art is a spectacle but the emotions on the faces of well known characters are haunting. It’s that haunting feeling that convinced Claudio and Chondra that Bayliss was the artist to work on their tale where the villain finally ends the relationship regardless of how the hero feels.
The dark mood is often lighter with the comical costumes which feel both over the top and just right all at the same time. It’s a bit of brevity that lets you know as you read this that the story isn’t real but the narrative often times is. That only creates more sinking feelings as you turn page after page toward an inevitable ending. You’ll be left wanting to turn just one more page but you’ll have to wait until next month. Expect to read a panel or a cover in this week’s Five and Three because the other books this week are going to have to work hard to top how excited I was for next month at the end of this comic. “Translucid” is ordered disorder. It is a duality tale of a different nature. It is what happens when a villain I bored with the game and the hero is still unwittingly altruistic. It’s also great comic booking with a splash of Rock and Roll that demands to be read, so go read it.
Translucid
BOOM! Studios
Writer(s): Claudio Sanchez & Chondra Echert
Artist: Daniel Bayliss
Cover Artist(s): Ming Doyle, Felipe Smith, Daniel Bayliss
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 4/16/2014
Images courtesy of BOOM! Studios
Images courtesy of BOOM! Studios