Click for link to Image's site for 'Trees'
So without looking back into the history of this blog (which I understand is really easy to do) I can't remember how long it has been since I wrote anything up about the comics I've been reading... or if I've EVER written anything about the subject.
...So here we go.
It should be noted that my reading list is somewhat abridged in comparison to some other comic bloggers. I don't really care. I actually prefer my newbieism in relation to being well versed in the multiverses of superhero and traditional-style serial comics. My cup-o-tea is more aligned with the non-traditional or non-superhero comic styles that Image Comics have helped to foster by allowing artists to create and own their own content. There are so many fantastic stories to be told and the medium of comic books are a good way to express those stories without having to sell and shoot a pilot episode for TV or pitch as a feature film. Just how I think it's a great medium will be saved for another blog.
I was replying to an instagram comment about Warren Ellis and Jason Howard's 'Trees' and I had to stop myself because the work deserves more than a comment in an insta-feed. 'Trees', in the tradition of everything else I've read by Warren Ellis, is captivating, thorough, and multi-facetted. To date, there are six issues and multiple story-lines unfolding within the comic; widely separated by region, politics, and societal differences. Because of the separated story-lines it seems as though this series is going to be building for quite some time (I smell a Compendium coming). I would not dare to call the story slow-moving by any means. The multiple stories allow for more social commentary about how we, as societal humans, deal with worldwide events both internally and interpersonally. In comparison to a storyline such as Ellis' 'Freakangels', there is slightly less mystery behind the beginning/inciting incident of 'Trees' but not by much. 'Freakangels' was superbly left a mystery until later with only the aftermath to guide you. In contrast, 'Trees' gives a little more insight but still leaves the mystery of what actually happened as the side-story with a heavy focus on character development and interaction rather than reaction to the incident itself.
Stories like these have been becoming more popular with comics like 'The Walking Dead' and TV shows like 'The Leftovers' wherein something has happened that affects the entirety of the world but that's not the point. These stories lead many audience members to start asking questions like "Why is it happening?! What caused all of this?!" only to hear back from the writers, "Shut up and listen, it's not even about what happened. It's about what happens next." The humanity, or lack thereof, is what really drives the content of these stories. How the human psyche is able to adapt so well that sometimes, post tragedy, we can lose our own humanity. That is the story.
Thanks for reading.
A. Royce
