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COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Strange Fruit #2

 
StrangeFruit 02 cover
StrangeFruit 02 cover
StrangeFruit 02 cover

 
Overview
 

Story by: Mark Waid
 
Art by: J.G. Jones
 
Publisher:
 
FG RATING
 
 
 
 
 
4.5/ 5


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To sum it all up..

THE COMMON PAST(S) In the hands of the master storytellers, history is alive and most importantly, relevant. This is what topnotch creators J.G. Jones and Mark Waid demonstrate in their continuing quest of historical relevance and artistic collaboration in the gripping series, Strange Fruit. Strange Fruit #2. carry stuffs that were left behind from its previous issue, we […]

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Posted October 17, 2015 by

 
FULL REVIEW
 
 

StrangeFruit 02 cover

THE COMMON PAST(S)

In the hands of the master storytellers, history is alive and most importantly, relevant. This is what topnotch creators J.G. Jones and Mark Waid demonstrate in their continuing quest of historical relevance and artistic collaboration in the gripping series, Strange FruitStrange Fruit #2. carry stuffs that were left behind from its previous issue, we follow the developments behind the preparations against the upcoming deluge, and at the same time, this mysterious visitor from outer space, who immediately creating some interesting disturbances in that town of the 1920s Mississippi region. Plot-wise, the creators present two intertwining tales that eventually merge into an interesting transitional point for the penultimate chapter later (possibly, next year due to Jones’s painstaking but totally beautifully rendered artworks). Admittedly, this second chapter is worth the wait since both Jones and Waid deliver their respective masteries of crafting a worthy story about a terrible era of racism, discrimination, subjugation, and Southern American socio-cultural history.

Upon reading and re-reading the literary texts Mark Waid lay down, they are undeniably both creative and immediately rated as well-researched to the extent of not disregarding the linguistic flavors and nuisances that dominated in that same Southern region of the 1920s. History should be studied according to the times and contexts, warts and all. Waid and Jones are unequivocally aware of that kind of history that prevailed during those periods, and unabashedly turned no tables around, languages included. Just reading these dialogues alone, I feel in the instance what it meant to be discriminated, prejudiced, dehumanized, and ironically, enlightened further on the intricate socio-cultural dynamism of the interaction between the dominant white people and the oppressed black counterparts. Indeed, the term “slavery” might be legally abolished in the America constitution in the mid 1860s, but the fact is that the existence of the Jim Crow’s Laws, particularly lynching and the term “segregation” were obviously felt and enforced in the so-called Land of Promise and Dreams, especially in learning centers like the libraries, and even the workforce as the creative team illustrates so clearly. Even more revealing and so relevant in this issue is the brutality presented on the colored people by their white counterparts, which Jones illuminates without restrictions. I believe some of the readers hear and read news in America about poor prison conditions, the portrayals of blacks in these “correctional facilities”, and their degrading stereotypes that connect/rooted back to the Reconstruction up to the Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age eras. Truly, we learn almost nothing at all from our bitter past, more so in history.

I like the way BOOM! Studios put J.G. Jones’ name before Mark’s because we can sure assure that Jones is the premier creator and brainchild of this gripping meta-historical science fiction graphic literature. Of course, Waid provides the eloquence of the top-rate poet and the literary foundations to provide the artistic flesh-and-blood Jones needed. Yet, the illustrations are the true movers here in Strange Fruit. From his cover art up to his mind-blowing interiors, Jones simply defies expectations. Aside from the great Alex Ross, Jones illustrates as realistically as possible, even the most degrading visuals presented in some panels are stunningly and painstakingly illustrated; historically accurate for the most parts of the town and its structures concerned; even the peoples’ respective facial portrayals are almost realistic that we can feel their respective emotional perspectives without words or dialogues needed. On the matter of science fiction, he becomes more creative here, particularly the glimpses of the visitor’s parallel connectivity with the blacks’ treatment from the dominant white. But just the same, his artistic outputs of the bizarre look so grounded, if not believable.

Sure, Strange Fruit is consistently filled with lots of politically incorrect terms that surely offend some onion-skinned people out there. But once again, distorting the past is the worst thing or offense committed in the study of history, and the creative team is unafraid to tackle such sensitive historical matters, which is highly commendable on its behalf (plus, some artistic license of infusing science fiction elements to critique the prevailing ills of the present societies and superhero genre that fulfills Waid’s brand of storytelling).

Strange Fruit #2 continues the collaborative artistic excellence of J.G. Jones and Mark Waid about the impending natural disaster in the Mississippi region sometime in the 1920s. Their fusion of excellent artistry and narrative is omnipresent from the cover up to the final page, despite the delay of publication and release. It sheds some connectivity of the main character’s past to the collective experiences of the oppressed minorities; henceforth, the perfect trajectory launch pad for the penultimate chapter. Strange Fruit is graphic history (of sorts), rolled with spices of superhero and critical commentaries, in its finest form so far!


Paul Ramos

 


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