Every once in a while, an interesting and unique concept comes along that provides us with a brand-new perspective. In comics, this usually stretches the medium, taking the visual storytelling to a different level. Rarely, however are there pictures within pictures which tell a tale from varied perspectives. Image Comics’ new series, Klik Klik Boom, has the potential to be one of these stories.
The simplest way to describe the story is through the eyes of podcaster/reporter Serena Biggs. Biggs is tracking down a mysterious woman who walks into places owed by a company named Minerva World Services, waves a gun around, and leaves Polaroid photos of the same man at every place. Serena discovers that the woman cannot talk, doesn’t appear to know sign language, but communicates by showing Polaroid photos of different events she’s witnessed and telling the story without speaking a word.
There are many intriguing aspects of this book. From the mysterious Minerva World Services and its mobster-like owner, to Serena Biggs who struggles with being taken seriously as a journalist, to the Polaroid camera woman, as well as her motivations and past – as they unfold.
Written by Doug Wagner and illustrated by Douglas Dabbs, Klik Klik Boom is a fantastic concept. The narrative is easy to follow. There are a number of layers to peel away in order to discover the mystery within. The art is cool and modern with a realistic tone to it. The idea of telling a story through photos is a neat one, but not yet touched on in as much detail as it could be; considering that this is only the first issue, there is a lot of potential for that to be a major part of the story going forward. All in all, this is a great start to what looks to be a very interesting series.
Recommended – 3 out of 4 stars
Creative Team: Doug Wagner (writer), Douglas Dabbs (artist), Matt Wilson (colorist), Ed Dukeshire (letterer)
Publisher: Image Comics
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