Telling a sequential art story about music and musicians is a risky endeavor given the obstacles of the visual medium, but if a comic creator can master this tricky beast, the payoff can be great. One web comic that seems on the path to this type of “greatness” is Radio Silence which follows the day-to-day ups and downs of a modern British rock band.
MINOR SPOILERS BELOW
Radio Silence is written and illustrated by Canadian artist/animator/crafter Vanessa Stefaniuk, and, in addition to a peek behind the curtain at the less-than-glamorous life of a rock band on the road, the web comic also feels like an exploration of friendship and those who share a creative passion. So far, Stefaniuk’s story has followed the formation of the band, the acquiring of an agent, and their first steps towards fame and fortune.
Stefaniuk writes with a blend of comedic wit and coming-of-age-flavored drama peppered with geeky pop culture references, and with Radio Silence she weaves a very modern and progressive tale in a rock band wrapper. The cast of characters is also quite diverse (Stefaniuk even includes an introvert!), charismatic, and layered. Stefaniuk also makes full use of her web-based medium by interacting with her readers via the comment section on each page and posting suggested musical selections to enhance the reading experience.
Stefaniuk’s art style is bright, fun, expressive, and reminded me a lot of Lara Antal’s stellar work on the Tales of the Night Watchman series. The pages of Radio Silence are vibrant and brimming with energy which really helps the concert scenes (as does the “sheet music” included in those panels).
FINAL VERDICT: Radio Silence is well written, skillfully illustrated, and definitely worth a read. (And, honestly, who says no to free comics?) While not the typical superhero or sci-fi fare, this slice-of-life rock band tale is bound to be enjoyed by most who read it.
To learn more about Radio Silence, visit the official website. Updates are posted on Tuesdays and Fridays.
That’s all for now, my fellow comic book sniffers!
‘Till the end of the world,
-Bryant the Comic Book Slayer
@ComicBookSlayer
