In this last volume of Skyward, we witness the end of Willa's quest. Since the first volume, this young woman wants the world to fall back on her feet. Surprised? Wait until you read our column to understand
A world turned upside down
Since Day G, the world has lost gravity. Nothing psychological or political but just physics. Gravity has disappeared and beings now float instead of walking. You can move faster by giant leaps. This change has disrupted the daily lives of every human being and animal on the planet. In order not to fly away, it is important to find points of support. The countryside is therefore much more dangerous than the cities. Unlike today's buildings, the bourgeoisie lives on the ground floor of the buildings and walks with magnetic shoes. This volume presents new discoveries. The rivers have disappeared and a new, well-hidden world exists. Young Willa decides to return to the previous situation when she discovers that her father is partly responsible for this global upheaval. She follows the map of her father who would have found a way to bring gravity back. However, these revelations are nothing compared to what will happen in this last volume. The pace of action does not weaken. The reader, an action fan, witnesses a massive jetpack race and aerial attack by insects.
A heroine in search of meaning
In the other volumes of Skyward at HiComics, Willa has already faced politicians, terrorist farmers and giant insects eating human flesh. This volume is, in part, a return to the past by discovering the situation of Willa's parents. We discover by a relative the effects on the day of the disaster. Over the pages, the young Métis has lost her bearings in the image of the post-G-Day world. She dreams of completing her father's project but can we go back? The issue is not just individual but affects the entire metropolis of Chicago. An opponent gradually asserted himself, Raymond Hofmeister who already wanted to kill her in the forest and decided to invade the metropolis with an army of insects. They are not only a war aviation but risk devouring the entire population. He works for the entrepreneur Barrow, symbol of profiteers. After the TV series Lucifer as writer, Joe Henderson demonstrates here his perfect adaptation to comics which proves the title of best new series at the Eisner Awards of 2019. He is supported by the cartoonist Lee Garbett who succeeds in making the most unlikely inventions credible. His pages on the day of the disappearance of gravity are fascinating because they are totally banal. We see this operation in the bonuses with the touching afterwords of each artist and a comparison between the scenario and the drawing. Together they offer a fun story, a family quest but also an inclusive project. The characters illustrate the diversity of the world: a lesbian couple, an amputated hero. The duo worked so well that they put the cover back on the Shadecraft series, soon published by HiComics. We can also point out the cheerful colors of Antonio Fabela that form a contrast with the depth of the scenario. Series still unknown, this third volume of Skyward closes in beauty an excellent series. Henderson and Garbett offer a fast-paced action narrative around a strong concept. This success comes from the psychological depth and courage of a family. You will soon be able to find Skyward on the big screen while waiting very quickly for the new comics of the duo. You can devour an article about the previous volume and Bitter Root, another independent series from the same publisher.
