“Dead Space,” Part 1
Writer/Artist: Francis Manapul
The Canadian writer and artist, Francis Manapul, is incredibly gifted. In Trinity Issue #9, I find his strongest point is his artwork. His work is gorgeous, and one of the visually pleasing versions of the Trinity. Honestly, he draws one of my favorite versions of Bruce, Clark, and Diana. I mean, they appear as if they’re about the drop the sickest album of the year:
With so much going on, unsure realities, and seeing multiple versions of themselves, I feel the characters are going through depersonalization; astate where feelings seem unreal. They seem detached even when they are affectionate and emotional towards anyone outside the Trinity. What is real to them anymore? I can understand how lost they must feel. I appreciate how Manapul demonstrates this through the words and facial expressions. He maintains the emotional continuity of Trinity throughout. All issues have made Bruce, Clark, or Diana question who they are and challenge their surroundings. Why should this issue be any different? Everything feels surreal, and the artwork feeds into this. Manapul mixes dull tones, merging with bright shadows (such as orange light to black hair, black tights to pink/white highlights) to give an eye-popping surreal impact.
Manapul is a talented storyteller as well. The sequence where Batman guides Wonder Woman and Superman through the League’s tower felt like a Mission Impossible run-down. A classic disaster, but just like a good murder mystery episode, I still want to find out the how and why.
Conclusion
This is an interesting thriller issue, a mixture of superheroes and creature features. I could hear an eerie, monotonous soundtrack in the back of my head while Flash was giving us the run-down of what’s going on. Dismembered Cyborg didn’t help tone it down either. I’m genuinely curious as to what went down on this ship, however, I believe I am as confused as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. It’s certainly something I’ve added to my collection. The art alone is completely worth it, but I’d suggest to read it differently. Instead of a superhero comic, read it like a murder-mystery and see if you feel anything different.
Images courtesy of DC Entertainment