Review - Wayward Vol 1: String TheoryBy Jon Evans
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Wayward is a new Image series from the pencil of Steve Cummings and written by Jim Zub. String Theory collects issues #1-5 of the series and follows the story of Rori Lane, a half Japanese, half Irish girl who is returning to Japan after falling out with her separated father in Ireland. She is staying with her mother to start a new life in Tokyo, but things don't exactly go to plan.
The core of Wayward is based on the complex and varied folklore of Japan, but with a brutal and modern twist. Spirited Away this is not, and it is better for it. This is a coming of age drama on so many levels, but also a satisfying fish out of water story that paints Japan in a more realistic and less glamourous light. As Zack Davsisson mentions in his foreword, this is the real Japan, not the romanticised version that you see in films and books as an exotic location that adds a bit of spice and cherry blossom to a story. Rori has to come to terms with the culture shock of coming to a new country and realising that her her grasp of the language which used to impress her friends back in Ireland, is nothing special in Tokyo. She also has to understand the different social mores of school life in Japan too, with the climate of fitting in, being normal and not being too outgoing in her behaviour and appearance. Happily too, Zub doesn't focus too much on school life, a trope overused in comics, films and games about Japan, and he strikes a good balance on all the aspects of Rori's initial experience. Very quickly, Rori makes a discovery about herself, something strange and shocking, which shakes the foundations of her beliefs about the world. Here we start to see a hidden element of Tokyo, the yōkai, the monsters of the aforementioned Japanese folklore and everything changes. This is where Zub's passion and research of Japan has been distilled into something extraordinary. There is a massive catalogue of myths and legends to draw inspiration from in Japanese storytelling and Zub's modern slant on this makes for some fascinating reading, from the ultra-violent twist on turtles with martial art skills, to demons, werewolves and soul-eaters. Issues #1-5 explore the burgeoning appearance of this bizarre underworld, but also follows Rori's experiences with them and the people who are like her but are terrified of their abilities. Zub's writing is elegant and powerful, showing Rori's story from her perspective, but he also lays little clues in the first few issues which are subtle and could be easily missed if you don't pay attention. Davisson also points out that all the Kanji signs around Tokyo are 100% authentic and have hidden clues for the Japanese reader. In fact I even downloaded a Kanji translating app to investigate this myself. |
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Cumming's art style is beautiful and is a fine blend of realism that is more Marvel than Manga, although combined with the stunning colour work makes for a more eye-pleasing mixture of daytime pastels and subtle tones with the harsher overlays of neon when the yōkai arrive. There also some interesting visual clues in these scenes with a uniques x-ray effect overlaid that signposts the spiritual world is close at hand.
Wayward is an excellent new series that strikes all the right chords for a modern telling of Japanese mythology. Japanophiles will adore it for its authenticity, realism and attention to detail, along with its compelling story and believable characters. String Theory ends on an exciting and shocking denouement that will have readers baying for the next trade and is well worth a read, without the need for sewers, skateboards and pizza.
Wayward is an excellent new series that strikes all the right chords for a modern telling of Japanese mythology. Japanophiles will adore it for its authenticity, realism and attention to detail, along with its compelling story and believable characters. String Theory ends on an exciting and shocking denouement that will have readers baying for the next trade and is well worth a read, without the need for sewers, skateboards and pizza.
