Aria is certainly one of the better stories available today. It's certainly ranking up there with the likes of Lady Pendragon. It tells about Lady Kildare, Pug (her friend) and Gwynnion (her cousin), who are all citizens of Fairy but choose to live in the mortal world. They still have their powers and immortal life, their fairy-ness, if you will. The story is classic...good guys, bad guys, fight them. It's got a weird hero, though. Kildare is a true fairy; she only cares about the world as it affects her, or, if she goes further than that, she does it grudgingly and hopes nobody notices. She's distanced herself from the humans.
Yes, the story and plot are brilliant. The writing is, too, but still there are some bad spots. On the first page when Holguin describes NYC, he goes way too far. Three panels of description, ending with quotes from movies that embody the NYC spirit. By the time we hit quote number two, we were asleep. It was confusing, to say the least. However, to balance that out, there's some good parts. The dialogue with the customers was hilarious...it should've lasted longer. I think he was going for a surreal quality, but he fell far short of the mark.
The art is a major part of the story. Without the art, we wouldn't have such amusing scenes as Kildare clapping her hands when a mother asks her kids if they believe in fairies. Every time you read over it, you find something new that you'd missed the last time, and it gives the story new meanings and new intonations each time you read it. The art is deceptively simple. There's not too much ink or shaping, and even through shadows, you can still see designs and things. The color smooths the art, slickens it, and frankly I want this in black and white.This is a most excellent book and I urge everyone to read it, at least in the comic store. I'd write more in praise, but, since you all already have it and I've got work in the morning... Go read it again! 9 out of 10. R.I.Y.L.: Lady Pendragon (but with MUCH better art and coloring!!). Soundtrack: Anything by Loreena McKennett for Gwynnion.
"By the way, Muster Mark...um...I think your whatzit is broke."
