Writer: Chris Resnick
Artist: Chris Resnick
Rating: 6 of 8
Skyline #1
There are few stories quite as relatable as those about coming of age. Whether it's films like Spirited Away, Stand by Me, or Eighth Grade, it's not hard to find something to relate to. Sure, most people don't go looking for dead bodies, or have to work in a bathhouse because their parents have turned into pigs, but there's still plenty of relatable elements.
Whether you're a boy or a girl, most of us have to overcome significant challenges. Making our parents proud, standing up to bullies, or just asking your crush out on a date. They're everyday things, but they're still challenges that need to be overcome - and sometimes the hardest thing is just putting one leg in front of the other and trying.
Chris Resnick's Skyline is one such story, where a young Chris has to deal with a number of issues. Some are ones you'd expect a young fella to have to deal with, like bullying, while others are a lot more complicated, as sometimes you'll find the solution to a problem is a lot worse than the problem itself.
There's really a great ease to Resnick's storytelling and though there are four stories, it never feels like it's too much, or that it's just done to fill up space. The weakest story was definitely the last, which was centred around a prank phone call. I just didn't find it that funny and because of that, it just really didn't work.
The first works well enough, though it definitely isn't as strong as the second. It does end on a rather ominous note, with some younger, crueller neighbours moving in, while the older, friendlier ones move out. It leaves me curious whether things will get worse before they get any better, as it certainly seems that way.
The third has a wonderfully dreamlike quality and really evokes the feeling of wonder you got from a childhood summer in years gone by. In it, Chris and a group of friends head out on a lengthy excursion, never knowing what they'll find. But when they get there, they experience a day that they'll never forget.
The only thing I'd criticize about the issue is the art, which really lets the issue down. Though the stories simplicity works in their favour, the art is overly simplistic and could just look a lot better. Other than that, it's a pretty good issue, which does a rather good job at exploring the various wonders and woes of childhood.
