Book of the Month
What did the
iFanboy
community think?
Pulls
Art by Peter Gross
Cover by Yuko Shimizu
Size: 144 pages
Price: 9.99
Every once in a while, a book generates a certain level of buzz, and you must take notice. For example, when The Unwritten by Mike Carey and Peter Gross launched with a $1.00 first issue, a lot of people I know and trust gave it a try, and I don’t think a single person regretted it. In fact, of all the books with some “buzz” in 2009, The Unwritten was one that got the most consistent praise and mention. And yet, I didn’t read it.
As I’ve written about in the past, my preconceived notions can sometimes keep me from trying new books. In this particular case, a few preconceived notions were at work. First, the idea of picking up a new Vertigo title was not something I was interested in, because as I’m prone to say. “I don’t read Vertigo.” Although the fact that I’ve been buying DMZ since issue #1, as well as Sweet Tooth, may require me to retire that particular sentiment. The other preconceived notion was a bit more involved and is related to what The Unwritten is all about.
I have to give Mike Carey a ton of credit. After reading this first volume of The Unwritten, which collects the first 5 issues of the series, I see that it’s an insanely creative and engaging concept. The protagonist of the story is a man named Tom Taylor, whose father was the author of a very successful line of fiction books where the main character, Tommy Taylor, was supposedly modeled after his son. The line of books is not too thinly veiled analog to the Harry Potter books (which by the way, I don’t see as a negative thing, rather something that gives the reader instant context — something to connect with). As we find out, Tom Taylor’s father has gone missing for many years leaving the series of books unfinished, and his son Tom Taylor has made a career as being the real life face and ambassador to the fans for the line of books, as laid out when the story begins as we see Tom Taylor signing and appearing at a panel at a “Tommy Con” (which, similar to the line of books, is a thinly veiled jab at the San Diego Comic-Con, going as far as having a similar logo — and again acting as a very clever method to allow the reader to connect with the setting). The entire literary aspect of the series calls an obvious reference to another Vertigo title, Fables, which I’ve described to people as a “terribly ‘clever’ comic book for English majors” along with an eye-roll (obviously I’m not a big fan of Fables, which has nothing to do with whether or not it’s a good comic. I know it is. It’s just not for me). I would definitely describe The Unwritten as a very clever book as well, but minus the sarcasm and with as much praise I can muster. It absolutely is a clever premise for a series and one that is validated by its top notch execution within this first volume.
Mike Carey has created a world within our world by establishing the Tommy Taylor books as something with rabid and loyal fans, as well as a mystery both on and below the surface. Early in the story we get a hint of the mysterious disappearance around Tom Taylor’s father and the ramifications it’s had on Tom has he’s grown up. We’re shown the swerve early on, questioning everything Tom Taylor knows about his father and his life up to this point. While at the panel at the Tommy Con, the question is raised as to whether or not Tom is really the son of Wilson Taylor. As the series progresses through this first volume, not only are we introduced to a character and his world, but we’re thrust into the doubt and mystery of that world. If that wasn’t enough, Carey adds in a standalone issue/chapter focusing on Rudyard Kipling, and a glimpse to a greater conspiracy featuring an organization that Harold Taylor appears to have been involved with. The conspiracy not only extends the cleverness of the concept, but made the story insanely more interesting for me personally and has me dying for the next volume and even contemplating moving over to issues on the series. That, my friends, is damn good writing.
Through this first volume, there are little touches and attention to detail that makes reading fun. The insertion of an illustrated excerpt from the Tommy Taylor books into each issue/chapter gives the reader a little bit more of a connection to the supposed source material. News and fan webpages work to integrate the story into our world even further. Juxtaposing these real world touches with the fictional and supernatural aspects of the story helps drive home Carey’s story points that much more.
All of these little touches are keenly executed and augmented through the excellent artwork of Peter Gross. It really shouldn’t come to a surprise that Peter Gross and Mike Carey work so well together, nor that I have never heard of Peter Gross at all. Gross previously worked with Mike Carey on Lucifer (another Vertigo title I didn’t read) as well as other titles like The Books of Magic and Chosen with Mark Millar. Again, it’s really a shame I didn’t read Lucifer or any of the other books that Gross illustrated as I really do enjoy his work. He definitely has that clean line look that we see so often with Vertigo artists, and yet I wouldn’t dismiss Gross as just another Vertigo artist. His style is quite his own. His characters are reminiscent of Steve Dillon, but in a completely unique manner. Expressive and well acted, these real world characters convey emotion, excitement, astonishment and confusion as well as some of the best artists I’ve seen recently. Combined with the familiar, yet distinct illustrations used for the Tommy Taylor book excerpts, Peter Gross is delivering a fantastic performance on a title that could really develop into one of the great Vertigo titles if they’re able to keep up the momentum.
The Unwritten challenged my preconceived notions about Vertigo books, as well as my intense avoidance of all things Harry Potter (again like Fables, nothing against the books, just not a fan). Mike Carey has created a clever concept and completely delivered on the promise of a great idea, while Peter Gross has defined the look and feel of the series to create a great new series that is well worth jumping on, and at $9.99, it’s worth giving it a try. I was skeptical when I heard about The Unwritten, but after devouring the entire first volume in one sitting, I’m completely hooked and hungry for more.
Ron Richards
I’m running out of excuses not to try new books, aren’t I?
ron@ifanboy.com
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It’s funny cause as of right now; Me, drakedangerz, and PraxJarvin are discussing this on Xbox Live.
If I have to say, I think it’s a good pick in terms of jumping in and the price. Great price by Vertigo, all trades collection the first couple of issues should be 10 bucks. But to me…..I just couldn’t dig this story.
Characters were unlikable, not enough character development, story just moves at a snails pace. I know it’s a mystery but my god it would be nice to see the plot move a bit further then reading the same dialogue over and over again.
I will say that the art in this is absolutely amazing. Sort of have a Will Eisner-lite feel to it. Every page looked detailed and the backgrounds were great. Plus the covers by Shimizu are some of the best covers of 2009. The Frankenstein cover is my favorite out of all of them.
So yeah, sorry to say I am not a fan of the overall series. But I can definitely see a lot of people enjoying it. Just not my cup of tea.
Another $10 trade for the first few issues of a series that I’ve heard tons about this year but haven’t read yet? Sign me up! Looks like the first trades of IRREDEEMABLE and CHEW are going to have a shelf-mate in the near future.
Excellent choice. I strongly suggest this book to anyone who wants a taste of fantasy in their lives. I love the mysterious nature of the story and the tension that has been building since the first issue.
This filled the Y-the last man size hole in my heart. Now I love Fables, and the comparison is apt, but Fables is not a clever book at all. Its a book, quite like its writer, trying to be more clever than it is*. It is trying to be this book. The mystery element is very similar to Y, and I love it. Great Choice.
*No Bill, its not an allegory if you scream it out.
Great pick, Ron. And surprising too.
The Unwritten is simply one of the best books out there, month in and month out.
Fantastic choice, LOVE this series so much B)
Nice pick, Ron. Glad to see this book getting the attention it deserves. I think the first few issues are interesting, taking a Harry Potter archetype and connecting it to a much deeper plot about the power of stories. But for me, as I’ve noted elsewhere, it was the Rudyard Kipling issue that sealed the deal. That is where we first see the larger scope of Mike Carey’s world, which is much larger than Tommy Taylor. This reminded me of the first selection of Sandman one-off issues (from the "Dream Country" collection), in which we realize just how many different kinds of stories that Gaiman could tell in the world he created.
Here’s what I said when I learned what the choice was:
"Guh?"
Was it Josh that called this "porn for English majors"?
This and Chew are easily my favorite new series from this year. I suspect I’ll be lending this book out muchly this coming year.
I’ve been buying this in issues and while I agree that it is good, I’d have to say that at present it’s a book of great ideas rather than a great book. I like the whole concept but on an issue by issue basis the writer is not executing it as satisfyingly as I’d like. I think the main problem is that the lead character, Tommy Taylor, is neither particularly believable nor likable. daccampo’s comparison of this with Sandman is really interesting as I hadn’t thought of that and I definitely agree but with the reservation that Carey is no Gaiman. Gaiman’s side-track single issues in Sandman like Men of Good Fortune and Calliope were astonishing, whereas, like I said, this is just good. Nothing wrong with good though, I ‘d still recommend it and I’m really interested to see where it goes.
Also, Ron, are we going to get a video of you reading these books a la The Sandman episode? Maybe you wearing a sweater vest and glasses, possibly smoking a pipe?
A great pick, that I’ve been thoroughly enjoying in issues. Carey is a writer I’ve both loved (Hellblazer, his novels) and yet sometimes not been able to get into (Lucifer). This is excellent though. The Potter analogy is indeed just the hook for the series, kind of the initial pitch if you will, before you get to the Kipling issue and you realise how much more there is to the story. The book it kind of reminded me of, at least structurally with that detour issue, was actually Robinson’s Starman.
This may be my favorite series that started last year. The last issue or two have not had the snap and pop oft he first 5, but I don’t get the feeling this state is a trend that will continue.
I second @akamuu’s request for Ron reading a copy of this dressed in Paul’s Halloween costume.
Definitely one of my favorite new books from this year. This is a fantastic Vertigo book, and I look forward to it each and every month. So glad to see this as the pick.
I loved the first issue, so I can’t wait to pick this up tomorrow and read the rest of the first arc!
I’m pretty surprised to see Ron pick this but maybe I shouldn’t be. Keep shattering my expectations you crazy diamond!
This is my favourite new series this year. The Kipling issue was a real standout and I cannot wait until we have another flashback month. It’s smart and it’s not ready to give up its secrets yet. I am happily buying it monthly (unlike most other Vertigo titles).
great book, good choice, nice review.
onya, ron
My friend has been raving about this for weeks. I think this might be my jumping on point.
I read The Unwritten in issues and it is always one of my favorite reads each month – especially the attention to detail in the graphics from a series of amazing covers to the little details on nearly every page. I love that the whole look of each page and each issue adjusts to the content of that issue – this is art that tells the story as much as the words – and this is a story which is, deeply, about the words themselves. But equally the words in the graphics, in the images as as important as the words in the word balloons (and at times perhaps a bit more important).
I’ve read every Harry Potter book (came to the series late but then read the first four books in the course of a week and every following book the same day it was published) but more this is very much the type of metafiction I really, really enjoy – and it is done exceptionally well.
So to anyone who doesn’t want to give this baby a try because you have never read or don’t like Harry Potter, well I’ve never seen a HP movie or cracked open one of the books but love me some Unwritten. So far I’ve bought all the Vertigo 1 dollar first issues, but this one is the only one I went beyond that cheapie first issue. The story is mysterious but accessable and the art is so very pretty. It’s clear Mike Carey and Peter Gross work very well together, as their earlier series Lucifer is one of my favorite spin off series ever, and at some times even rivals The Sandman (blaspemy!).
Do yourself a favor, spend the 10 bucks on this trade, and then lament about how much it sucks that you have to pick another monthly title.
Unwritten is rapidly becoming one of my favourite titles. And like many others it was the Kipling issue that sealed the deal for me. Any metafiction and writing about writing will keep me coming back for more.
This year I think only Phonogram has pleased me as much.
I picked this up, after picking up the first issue months and months ago, and my excitement hasn’t waned, quite the opposite in fact. Ron picking this as BoTM was still quite a shock. I thought Josh had the pick when I first saw it.
My LCS sells Comicare Short Box for 10 bucks a piece.
Well, i’ll top ’em by getting this one instead.. No idea what this is about.