Review: Falcon #2
If you're looking for an old-school tabloid-style comic that packs a punch with every page, then Falcon #2 could be what you're after. That's right; Falcon has returned after the success of issue one with a fresh collection of single and double-page stories inspired by British classics like The Eagle. Falcon is the brainchild of Sentinel creators Alan Holloway and Ed Doyle and is currently on Kickstarter. It has already smashed the set target, and knowing Alan and Ed, it'll definitely end up in your hands.
What makes Falcon so unique is its collection of mainly single-page strips. That, though, does make reviewing slightly more challenging without spoiling the stories or this being incredibly long going through everything. So it'll all have to be clumped together with everyone involved listed at the end, just like I did with the Falcon #1 review. For Falcon #2 there are 19 strips, a couple of pin-ups and a few full-text single-page stories - all covering a wide range of genres.
The art inside is mainly black and white, with a few coloured pages. There is some incredible art on show in various styles. Apart from the occasional double-pager, it makes each page turn into something new. For the most part, that works, with one or two not being to my personal tastes in art, but I can still appreciate them for the talent there is on display. There are also some pages that are absolutely stunning with incredible linework and some that, as a whole, become a masterpiece.
For the stories, fitting everyone into mainly one page stories is a challenge to get you involved, which everyone rises to. Sure, there are a few strips that I'd love to see expanded upon or given more space, but they all still work perfectly well as they are. In fact, you could say that given how interested you get in some with just a single page, it shows how well they're written and drawn. It's not a case of stories failing because of their limitations but producing something so enthralling despite those limitations that you want to see more.
A few highlights are "Attack On The Space Train" by Atholl Buchan, a high-energy sci-fi tale; "Whalerman" by Laurence Alison, which has the potential for further development; and "The Truth is Out There" by Alan Holloway and Stref, a lovely little ghost story.
Falcon continues to impress with its writing and artistic flair while paying homage to the classics of British comics. Its bold and eye-catching presentation sets it apart from everything else, and it continues to be a must-read if you're a fan of seeing a diverse range of talent and want to find something new - I always find with comics like this that I end up checking out a few of the creators to find their other work if I don't know it already. It's suitable for anyone from around the ages of 7 and older, so if you're seeking a refreshing take on comic book anthologies or just want a captivating read without delving into years of back issues, Falcon is the anthology for you!
Rating: 4/5
A variety of creators are featured in this issue, including Ed Doyle, Steve Matthews, Paul "Deadeye" Dick, Atholl Buchan, Alan Holloway, Stref, Slingsby, Laurence Alison, John Charles, Mike Powell, Gavin Pollock, David Hitchcock, Pete Howard, Andy Brown, Troy Martin, Torgo Wells, Pete Howard, Garry Wharton, Flippo, Paul Spence, Andy Smith, Patrick Brown, Rob Anthony, Dan Pollard, Dan Goodfellow, Chris McAuley, W.B. Hughes, and James Seymour.
