The Fiction 1

Four childhood friends discover a box of strange books that, when read aloud, can transport them to the beautiful, imaginary worlds described within. But when one of them goes missing, the others vow never to reveal where they've been and what they've seen. Years later, when one of the remaining kids, now an adult, also mysteriously disappears, it's up to the last two of the group to dig up their dusty books to find him and finally figure out what happened to their friend all those years ago.

If you have fond childhood memories of those times you were so immersed in the fantastical world of a favorite book that a whole day seemed to pass you by, Curt Pires and David Rubins The Fiction, from Boom Studios, may be the perfect series for you. Then again, it may make you rethink where that time went.

The Fiction is a great story that looks to plumb the depths of the imagination.  It explores the rampant untamed spirit of the child, comparing it with the restrained, cautious cynicism of the adult mind.  Where does that wonder go?  Is it extinguished?  Is it changed to something else?  Or is it just buried beneath layer of layer of experience, screaming to silence the explosions of the unreal.

The Fiction follows a group of children who discover a book that transports them to a world rife with anything and everything that can be imagined.  At first the journey is magical, beautiful and everything a child can hope for.  Yet, like reality, even this mythic world has its darkside.  One of their number is lost, and the remaining children put away the magic, wall away the wonder, and grow up.  That is until the book returns and swallows up another.

This is a great book on so many different levels.  The inks are crisp and neat, skating the thin lines between cartoon style, realism and traditional comic art.  The colors are bright and crisp, leaping right off of the page to give the reader that same sense of magic that the characters enjoy. The script is a joy to read, drawing the viewer of this little fable in, panel by panel, page by page.  The world of wonder is rendered with such tender detail that it is difficult to tear your eyes away.  For every child that loved Peter Pan, Star Trek or the Three Musketeers, this is a must have experience.

For more info on The Fiction or other great offerings from BOOM! Studios, please visit their web site. BOOM! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.