I only read the comic today. I really enjoyed the first issue, though it took reading it several times for it to come into focus. I can't remember the last time I read a comic that many times, and poured over every frame. Oh yeah, that was probably when I was reading The Invisibles.
Though, I would be cautious about comparing it too much to The Invisibles. There are some interesting parallels, but perhaps I have more faith in GM and think that it's unlikely that he will do some kind of shallow replica of The Invisibles. I even think, the main title, "Us vs Them" seems too in your face, and probably ironic. After all, the only difference (graphically) between "us" and "them" is there are more of them. They are actually identical. I found in amusing that someone on this thread even wondered who were the good guys and who were the bad guys.
I saw a lot of the things people have pointed out, the overt sexual references, the ugliness, and it seems to go back to the title of the comic itself. I like the crazy outfits that the Hand Officers wear (a bit of a throwback to Sebastian O I personally think). I find it interesting that the "hand" logo on Nil's outfit looks like it's giving the finger (also on her toothy garbage truck), while Slade's logo is of an hand with palm up, almost a peace symbol. I also think the fact that the cat does recognise Slade's departure indicates that not all of Feely is gone from Slade, and this will perhaps have ramifications on his further adventures.
The line "Cleansing" on the garbage truck, and the back of the jackets is funny. That's what garbage cleaners do, they clean. Get rid of all the filth. However, choosing that tense of the word is intriguing: it suggests an ongoing process, something constantly in action.
There are certain questions that go round in my head when I read this. Why would someone choose to hide in a "character" like Greg Feely - totally ordinary, and in fact a rather sad and lost individual. Perhaps Slade's previous existance was so bizarre and twisted that only this kind of character could bring him back to earth? I'm interested in the parapersonality concept (vintage GM stuff), and the fact that it is induced via some kind of drug/substance. Plus, that sexual contact (with a person, not one's hand) seem to "purge" this out of the system - probably why Greg had no sex life. That's a serious downside to "retirement".
The Hand officers seem very sexual, bright and guady, the anthesis of the "ordinary" life shown. I also wonder in which "world" do the Hand operate - the microworld created by Dr. Soon (I feel there is some significane to that name) or the outer world in which Simon (Says) works. I also wonder is that the only layer we will witness, and perhaps there are more micro and macro worlds in operation. GM, and most writers, would try and subvert expectations so I'll certainly be buying all 13 issues to see where he takes us.
Finally, time does seem very significant in this comic. Starting with the multiple appearences of Mr. Purplejacket, which are out of synch with the actions. Then there are constant references to time, clocks, watches, etc. in Greg Feely's life. I guess we'll have to wait and see how it all progresses.
It's nice to see GM operating within his own created universe (ha!) again, and not labouring at the salt mines of other established landscapes. |
