REVIEW: Finding Gossamyr #3

Combine Pixar-caliber art with an intricately woven fantasy tale and what do you get? The best comic book that you’re not reading yet! Major Spoilers cracks open Finding Gossamyr #3 and explains just why you should be picking this up!

FINDING GOSSAMYR #3
Writer: David A. Rodriguez
Artist: Sarah Ellerton
Design and Letters: Michael DeVito and Jon Conkling
Publisher: Th3rd World Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

Previously, in Finding Gossamyr… The story has centered around Jenna and her brother Denny, who through the interpretation of a mathemagical theorem (utilizing both math and magic!) have entered the world of Gossamyr, where things haven’t really gone too well for them. They met up with the Eloric and his oxlion Barnabus, both of whom were grievously injured in a scuffle with some nefarious powers.

IN FULL GEAR

While the first issue revolved around introducing us to the characters of Jenna and Denny and the second issue introduced the land of Gossamyr, this issue is now free to really explore what is happening to these characters and what they will do now that the life they know has been completely uprooted. For Denny this presents a particular problem, as he’s on the severe end of the autistic spectrum and requires everything in his life to be meticulously scheduled and in perfect order. While this makes him a prodigy mathematically, it means that in a world where his watch no longer works he is going to be quite reticent to engage in any new activities.

ANGELIC ART

I’m sure artist Sarah Ellerton has heard over and over again that the art in Finding Gossamyr looks as if it could be concept art from an upcoming Pixar movie, but while the praise must be getting old it is completely true. Ellerton’s art is absolutely fantastic, which is a good thing considering the fantasy setting for the book. The action is very animated, with a combination of extreme cartoony facial expressions and more subtle, nuanced faces that demonstrate Ellerton’s range. One of the few problems I had with Ellerton’s art was the overexpression of the orc-like healer Azune; a few of his expressions didn’t seem to sit well on the more robust facial structure, but all in all I am convinced that if Sarah Ellerton can achieve a monthly pace to her art (currently I believe Finding Gossamyr is releasing every two months, and I assume it’s based on her schedule rather than Rodriguez’) she will certainly get noticed by one of the major publishers, and be a big name within a few years.

HIGH QUALITY STORYTELLING

David Rodriguez is perfectly matched with Sarah Ellerton in this book; his story is simultaneously a sprawling epic set in a fantastic world and a small, touching story between a girl who just wants to protect her brother, but struggles because she can’t relate to him. Now that the initial worldbuilding is over, Rodriguez stretches his legs and delivers an entire issue of great story, with well-paced dialogue and action, as well as a perfect–albeit somewhat expected–cliffhanger. One point that I was particularly amused by: When Azune obtains a ship from the face of a cliff that is subsequently used to scale that cliff, the ship was perfectly named a “shaleskiff.”

BOTTOM LINE: ORDER THIS TITLE NOW

This book has been selling out every issue, I assume due to small print runs. I cannot recommend this title enough; it’s certainly the best $3.99 comic book I buy, and among the best books overall I read. To get this you’ll most likely need to put it on a pull list so your local comic shop can make sure they order it–I actually bought #2 from the personal collection of one of my LCS’s employees who was moving–but it’s absolutely worth any effort you may need to put in. Unsurprisingly given how much I’ve been raving in this review, Finding Gossamyr #3 gets a full five out of five stars.

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