Isola #3 Review

Tigerland

Written by: Brenden Fletcher / Karl Kerschl
Art by: Karl Kerschl
Colors by: Msassyk
Letters by: Aditya Bidikar
Published by: Image
Reviewed by: Andrew McAvoy

You'll often here comics described as a work of art. They are! Isola however, now that's a different ballgame altogether. I don't care whether I pre-empt my score in this opening paragraph, Isola is A Work Of Art (capitalized). This is the type of comic that I have been making sure I secure a physical copy of. I want to pass it down to my kids as an heirloom. They probably won't want my old comics but still, it has that vibe about it, something to be preserved. 

This issue has a distinct feel about it in comparison to what has went before. Firstly it has much more dialogue. Secondly the majority of the issue sees Olwyn and Rook’s paths diverge, Olwyn heads off on a hidden road to discovery. Rook meanwhile finds herself surrounded by a group hot on the heels of the Queen in Tiger form. They are armed, dangerous and experienced; they also have previous history with Rook. There is a real sense of mystery and peril contained within both elements of the story and things take an even stranger turn towards the end. An intriguing and magical experience. There is also quite a bit of backstory peppered throughout this issue. 

The art though is where this book really does enchant. I mean look at the brief pages of preview artwork even in this review. Stunning. The colors, the detail of the characters, the sheer beauty of this book. The remarkable thing about this book is that in the flashback art of the Queen as human, and then tiger you can recognize the similarities, particularly in the eyes. It really is beautiful. In a book that is so built upon the symbolism of the animals, and evoking a magical quality, the art compliments it brilliantly. 

Bits and pieces

Well, this issue continued the wonderful start to this series. I understand that there may be a break coming in this series, and while sometimes this is annoying, you turn the pages in this book and think, "take as long as you need to produce a book of this quality". This is a book that I suspect will be seen in later years as an all-time classic. I'm just grateful to watch it unfold in real time. A joy. 

9.4/10