Books: The New York Four

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The New York Four
Written by Brian Wood
Art by Ryan Kelly
2008




Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Brian Wood likes New York. A lot. I'm guessing his favourite song is Empire State of Mind, his favourite film is New York, New York and his favourite televison show is Friends. Basically: he's like the Woody Allen of comics: except maybe even more obsessed with all things New York.

The New York Four is - yep - set in New York except this time it's from the point of view of young Riley Wilder who's just started at NYU. Riley is a bit of a wall-flower and happiest lost in her own little world: playing on her mobile. Of course it's obvious that's something is going to come along to shatter her enclosed little world - and much of the fun of this book is trying to work out in which direction that smash is going to come from.

With it's abrupt ending (I believe my exact words where "What? That's it?") The New York Four feels a little like a pilot for a television show. I don't know if it was intended to be a longer running series or what - but in it's current form it feels a little under-developed - with a lots of plot threads just all kinda hanging around the place (or maybe that's the point?). Also the frequent inserts about all the hot and cool places to eat, hang out and find the most awesomeness bands (which kinda felt cribbed from the vastly superior Scott Pilgrim) made it feel a little like I was reading a Time Out Guide: but - well - Brian Wood loves New York.

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Links: Comic Book Resources Review Comic Book Resources Interview with Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly.

Further reading: Demo, Lost at Sea, Mercury, 7 Billion Needles, The War at Ellsmere.

All comments welcome.