Rise #1by Patti MartinsonReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 7 Rise is a four issue comic series centered on the subject of bullying. Each issue is comprised of several stories by a number of different writers and authors.In issue #1, there are ten different stories: "Reversal of Fortune," "Treehouse of Solitude," "Tipping Point," "Zoe's Zombies," "Freak Show," "Origin Story," "Out of Step," "Barbie and the Boy," "Man Up," and "Edison Rex." Like most anthologies I've read, they are a mixed bag. Some stories dealt with the issue better than others. "Treehouse of Solitude" is my favorite out of the bunch. It deals with a teen girl named Abigal who has a crush on a boy. When she overhears him talking about dressing up as a superhero, she is thrilled and runs off to finish her own superheroine costume. Needless to say, she winds up being ridiculed and runs away, but meets someone else who has a different viewpoint. I just loved how this was drawn and colored -- it so very much looks like a TN cartoon in the best way possible. Abigail is an extremely appealing character, and I liked how she found a kindred spirit who is also into superheroes. It just made me warm and fuzzy all over. "Zoe's Zombies" was the other story I particularly enjoyed. Like "Treehouse," the art was just great and the characters interesting. The art, characters and plot all very much resembled the Archie aesthetic without copying it exactly. It was a very funny story that got its point across very well without being patronizing. "Tipping Point," "Freak Show," "Edison Rex," and "Out of Step" were very short, but were very unusual in either the art or in the way the story was told. "Origin Story" and "Barbie and the Boy" were also strong stories; I especially appreciated the viewpoint of their respective protagonists, which made their case on how preconceptions and judgement can hurt. I had issues with either the art or the writing, but they were solid nevertheless. My least favorite story is the first one, "Reversal of Fortune." It's the cliche of a picked on kid returning 20 years later to a class reunion to find things are very different. I've read this same plot a hundred times before, and the artwork didn't elevate the tired story. Definitely more good than bad in this first issue. Written: March 13, 2015
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