Review: Out There
If you're looking for a thrilling, beautifully drawn tale set in a dystopian future that transcends age barriers, then you need to check out "Out There"! Authored by Emily & Laurence Alison and illustrated by the talented David Hitchcock, it's a narrative that promises to plant the seeds of change for readers of all ages.
Out There is an all-age comic set in a dystopian future, focusing on the relationship between Lucy and her grandfather, Len. Len's desire is for Lucy to escape the confines of their small 'hexahome' and build a better future. Will Len find a way to get Lucy 'Out There', and will Lucy be able to seize the opportunity and fight the forces restricting her?
Starting with the artwork by David Hitchcock, and it is an absolute delight. There are some busy panels with a lot of background activity, which adds a ton of detail and charm. Some pages end up looking incredibly busy, but it all helps to build up these futuristic worlds and the environments that Lucy finds herself in. There's a strong emphasis on the characters and their expressions, which is important.
The colour scheme is a nice mix of occasionally dull and occasionally eye-popping, to really highlight certain characters and panels. It adds so much to what is a real visual delight in comic form. Add in some dramatic shading and strong contrasts that add depth and intensity to the scenes, readers will enjoy every page, and maybe even want more Hitchock work in their comic collection.
The story from Emily & Laurence Alison is both whimsical and poignant, possibly exploring themes of memory, transformation, and the passage of time. It delves into personal history and relationships and displays an underlying story of the problems, not simply being overpopulation, but feeling isolated and alone in an overpopulated universe. Where there is a grossly uneven distribution of resources to a tiny few (six rich, horrible people) protected by others. In fact, there's a wonderful write-up of how the story of Out There came about right at the end, and if you re-read the story after that, the story just hits even harder as subtlety becomes obvious. There was enough to pick up on the first time around that makes parts really sad and sometimes relatable without realising too much of how you're feeling until you think about it afterwards.
The narrative delves into significant psychological discussions, addressing topics such as depression, learned helplessness, and the effects of social isolation. It also explores the role of artificial intelligence in social interaction, the psychology behind creativity and social bonds, and how constraints and solitude can lead to dehumanization. Lucy's grandfather is the key to this, helping Lucy along, offering protection and companionship, but that just adds to the feeling of Lucy being alone since he's alive only in the sense of "can AI be alive?".
Central to the story is a fervent hope for youth to discover their identity, achieve success, and venture 'Out There.' However, the tale is far from being moralistic or instructive. Plus, if you're like me, there are a few instances where you can do the whole "they said the title of the comic!" thing. I don't know why I get a little joy out of that, but I refuse to accept that I'm the only one who does!
Lettering is handled by Neil 'Bhuna' Roche, and it's handled well. Everything is legible, super clear and easy to read. Basically, it is exactly what you want from someone's lettering. There are some nice slight font changes with some robot AIs talking, so you know the voice has a different feel to it.
Overall, Out There is more than a comic; it's a journey through a dystopian future challenging the reader to reflect on profound themes of isolation, creativity, and the human condition. The combined talents of Emily & Laurence Alison in storytelling and David Hitchcock on art create a spellbinding narrative that resonates with readers of all ages. You definitely want to support the ongoing Kickstarter campaign. It's a wonderful, heartfelt story that'll touch your heart and that I think many of us can resonate with, given how we all felt during the pandemic - and in some people's cases, still do. But there's still hope, and that's what Out There ultimately shows.
Rating: 4.5/5
