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It was another lousy month at the comic shop... Most of the series I read
seem to mysteriously have no new issues, and nothing exciting looking
to review was on the shelf. What's a reviewer to do?
I picked up Universal Chronicles not because it particularly appealed to
me, but because from what I've seen of Rod Espinosa's work, I figured it
wouldn't be too offensive. This is, after all, the guy who brought us The
Courageous Princess.
My assumption was right. Universal Chronicles is good, clean fun. It has
likeable characters, a decent background story, and nothing really
offensive. The main characters are rather young, this book would likely
appeal to children, though the story is good enough that some adults
will probably enjoy it, too.
The problem? It's sci-fi. Spaceship sci-fi, no less. I don't like much sci-fi
at all. I am a fantasy girl. The one spellbinder character in this book isn't
enough to draw me in. There's also the fact that some of the story and
dialogue are just too silly for my cynical mind. While definitely good
enough to capture the mind of a young or young-at-heart reader, it fell
apart at my nit-picking. I'm beginning to feel like a jaded movie reviewer,
but my job doesn't come with popcorn! No fair!
Anyway, Espinosa's art, a definite Manga-y style, is nice. It has very
clean lines, not too much shading, very easy on the eyes. Almost
simplistic, I'd say, but in a nice sort of way.
Ah heck. I'm too neutral about this book to say much about it. If there's a
young comic reader in your life who likes sci-fi, then pick this up for
them. And keep your fingers crossed for something more interesting to
review next month!
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