Hey, there, comic fans! I’m back once again with some Quintessential Comics for you to enjoy! We’re currently wrapping up Summer Reading and the theme this year was Color Our World. To celebrate that, why not check out some of these graphic novels that incorporate color in interesting ways? I’ve attempted to include selections that either utilize color to enhance the narrative or are just really pretty, because why not? Let’s not waste anymore time and just jump right in.
This has received praise for its use of color to convey emotion and provide insight on character perspective. What I find appealing about this entry is how it bounces between two narratives that each employ shades of color in very purposeful ways. You get a sense of warmth radiating from a character or sit with a feeling of longing all through the use of color. The premise for this one is relatively simple, while its themes are not. Our protagonist leaves behind his career as an architect in order to become a mechanic after experiencing a spiritual crisis. He possesses a very rigid worldview, which is only highlighted by the two prominent color schemes, one of which is used to signal past events that led to his current situation. It’s all a very interesting exploration of philosophy, identity, and subjective reality.
What better way to showcase the multitude of colors than a sci-fi graphic novel that explores the multiverse? Strap in, as scientist Grant McKay tests the laws of nature by “punching through” the fabric of reality and hopping between dimensions. Unfortunately for him and his crew, things go awry and they end up stranded in the multiverse. Desperate to get home, McKay makes morally grey decisions that end up having dire consequences. I’m mainly adding this one to the list because of how visually stunning it is. I think color is as much of a main character in this as the scientists are. You really believe in the alien nature of these realities due to the specific hues that are used.
“Here”
Imagine if you could take a snapshot of a scene, but instead of capturing just that moment, you could see its entire lifespan through the ages? That’s exactly what this addition explores, utilizing “frames” of varying color schemes to show the history of particular environments. I really can’t do this one justice, as it’s just so unique. I love how color once again takes a leading role, providing character and context to the snapshots on each page. It’s worth making note of how lack of color and neutral tones also work to provide meaning. Some have criticized the work’s lack of cohesion and claim it fails to really say something. While that may be true, I think it’s sometimes enough for art to just be, and I think that’s what this is a celebration of: being.
I realized that we were missing some angst and edginess from this list so far, so I had to include “Deadly Class.” Set against a gritty 80s backdrop, this story follows a young orphaned teenager as he goes from living on the streets to being enrolled in an elite school for assassins. Rife with violence, this graphic novel often uses panels that are just shy of being monochromatic to create a visually striking medium. I think the color schemes chosen really work to make the action sequences feel as though they’re jumping off the page. The narrative stays true to traditionally angsty takes with a critique of society throughout. If you’re looking for a hyperviolent spin on the traditional coming-of-age story, then look no further.
Let’s round out this list with something that readers have described as “amazingly delirious” and “bonkers”. It’s bit of a “what if” scenario in which an alternate history shows what would happen if the Manhattan Project was just a front for a series of even more unusual experiments that the public would almost certainly find distasteful. The reason this entry makes it on the list is because of how it incorporates color in order to illustrate the dichotomy between various elements such as morality or intent. The pages are full of vibrant colors and use those colors to insinuate where allegiances lie and what character motivations are. I find it to be such an interesting form of storytelling. If the outrageous suits your fancy, be sure to check this one out!
That wraps up this edition of Quintessential Comics! I hope you stayed tuned for further installments.
