The Ghost, The Owlby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 A helpful owl goes against the wishes of his animal brethren to help a human ghost. In looking for answers, as well as to save a human who once saved this owl, they must fight a violent man who brings a dangerous storm with him.Let's start with the obvious -- this comic is gorgeous! The swirling art guides your eye through each page and through the whole book. It really does wonders for the atmosphere as it blends nature and the supernatural. The ghost is a bit cartoony, especially compared to everything else, but it keeps her childlike and innocent. Plus, this design is countered at the end by her fierce and protective form, which is on par with the terror brought by the evil man. The animals are beautifully realistic. The main owl is drawn with care, capturing beauty, fierceness, body mechanics, and fluff. The other owls are amazingly stylized, showing us how fearsome they can be (and reminding me of the owl scene from The Secret of NIMH). The soft pastel art is a good match, including the darker scenes, which have more nuances because of this. There's a real sense of danger in those scenes, partially due to the art and partially due to the abuse and threats of the man, who is solely an evil incarnate character (with no driving motivation or other depth of character). I love the relationship between the owl and the crow, especially the brief mention of them knowing each other's true names! Real corvids remember those who help them, and will return the kindness in their own way, including telling other corvids, so it's wonderful to see this crow doing the same thing for owl. I also love that all the animals come together in the end to stop the danger, and that it was because of owl's kindness rather than a sense of self-preservation. Tying the owl, rather than the ghost, to the human in danger makes the plot and the animals more interesting. The ghost mostly provides a catalyst for plot movement, but she also functions as a way for owl to show the importance of helping everyone, including those who are "different". The ghost gets her answers by the end, but she remains a ghost rather than "moving on", which I find a bit strange, but it does allow for an ending message of friendship. This is an unusual read, and a powerful one. I consider it all-ages, but there is a subtle rape threat and different types of violence, so your mileage may vary. Written: May 11, 2018
|
|
|
Home |
Features |
Columns |
Culture Vultures |
Report Card
Indicia | Contact | Archives © Sequential Tart, 1998 – 2021 |
