Issue: Wire Hangers #1
Created, Written & Illustrated: Alan Roberts
Letters: Robbie Robins, Chris Mowry
Edits:Chris Ryall
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: April 2010
Pages: 36
Price: $3.99
“Wire Hangers uses nightmarish visuals and graphic storytelling to depict a wave of abductions plaguing New York City. Pill-popping detectives, corrupt secret agents, and a mysterious, disfigured homeless man are all inter-connected in this horrific tale of revenge and redemption.“
Artwork: 3.5 out of 5
Strange. Just different. For the first few pages I was confused, but then the artwork seemed to settle down into a nice pattern, but then by the end, it was almost like a new style emerged. And let me say that I don’t mean that it went from stick figures to full figures to cut outs, it just seemed to evolve as it went along. I loved the use of colors to add depth to the scenes, but felt at times it was a little overdone. Overall though I did like the look of the issue, I just wish it could have been a little more consistent.
Story: 3.5 out of 5
Just like the art the story seemed to have some unexplained moments. Overall it did progress in a nice straight line fashion getting me from point A to point B. However sometimes it seemed jumpy and I didn’t think everything was explained to it’s full extent. That didn’t take everything away from the book though. Nice action and a good plot lead this murdering mystery forward nicely.
Dying Breath: 3.5 out of 5
So yeah, I have a few gripes, but I can easily see them as just Alan’s way of getting into his groove on this one. I like the overall idea and I think it can easily be a home run if done right. I think he is on rack to accomplishing that goal, but a little polishing up here and there wouldn’t truly hurt what I have read so far.
If you would like to know more about or purchase a copy of Wire Hangers #1 please go to http://www.idwpublishing.com or http://www.wirehangerscomic.com
Richard Vehlow
April 22, 2010
I don’t think your negative comment about “unexplained moments” in the story are justified. I read an interview with the writer and it is a four issue story arc. I’m sure he is not connecting all the dots in the first few pages but will do so over the course of the story.
fromthetomb
April 22, 2010
I don’t think it was a negative comment at all. I am trying to do my best to make sure people know how I interpreted the issue. I don’t expect everything to be done in a linear fashion, to me that would make the story dull. What I was trying to imply was that the subject matter in question could have been built on a little more, so there wasn’t so much confusion left on my part.
Frank Sardone
April 25, 2010
I agree with Richard on this. Your review comes across quite negative for what seems to be intentional, suspense building writing. The writer doesn’t spell out every detail for the reader, instead he let’s the reader connect their own dots – which I find way more impactful.
As far as the art goes, again, it’s a 4-issue story arc, like Richard said and from what I’ve seen online, it looks as though the variation in Roberts style is in fact his style! It totally works, very cinematic.
This series is off to a great start and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.
Chris Tracks
May 1, 2010
this comic is crazy good. easily 4.5