I love Brian Wood and Ming Doyle, so the idea of the two of them working on a book together was a total SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY scenario for me.
In case you have somehow missed the ads and upfronts: Mara is about an internationally famous top athlete who mysteriously develops superpowers, which will possibly ruin her career, given that she is immediately accused of cheating.
MARA takes place in the future, and we don't know specifically where or when, and those things don't really matter. There are space launches and futuristic looking cars and international border disputes, and while all of this is on the periphery of Mara Prince's story, it all helps add rich, atmospheric layer to the universe she inhabits. Brian Wood uses a deft, minimalist hand, showing rather than telling. It's like a David Bowie song- on some level, you're aware that cultural context was used as fuel for something deep and personal, but the final product is so well executed that you don't
need context in order to know that there's a living, beating heart in there and it wants to share things with you.
Too common in comics (particularly comics about superheroes and superpowers) is the classic origin story with recognizable archetypes, and Brian Wood dodges these tropes effortlessly by establishing Mara in her universe beforehand, off-screen. There's no narrative hand-holding. While Mara's fame is an integral part of the movement of the story, MARA never feels like a literal running commentary. Rather, fame is simply a part of the underpinnings that make Mara tick because it's her job. As of writing this, we're three issues in. I don't necessarily feel like I know Mara very well, but I like her. Her characterization is either very natural or extremely well thought out, and it's so well done that I don't really care which. She's not somebody who lets many people get to know her, but I want to stick around for the next three issues so that I'll get the chance.
And let's not forget the art.
Oh, the
art.
There's some stiffness in the first few pages of the first issue, but please don't let that fool you:
Ming Doyle's retro-futurist style is lush and humanizing. The character designs are well considered, the layouts are engaging, and while there's a fair amount of stillness, it's always evocative, and never boring. Jordie Bellaire's color palletes are simple and well chosen, and it always feels like the textures and gradations he uses are enhancing, rather than distracting from, Ming's fabulous lineart.
I don't want to post too much of the astoundingly gorgeous art here because it's really meant to be read as it's originally presented. "wishyouweremegan" on tumblr did a
really nice presentation if my hopeless gushing wasn't enough to convince you.
MARA stands out on the landscape of independent titles. As a reader, I don't totally know where I'm being lead, but I don't mind in the slightest. As the above post by Megan says, you should buy it, and then we'll all take the scenic journey together.
