Review: SENTINEL Issue 16 - The Story Of Johnny Rocket
Have you ever wondered what happens when a rock band's epic tale transcends music and becomes a full-fledged comic book adventure? Sentinel Issue 16 dives into the fantastical world of John Roquet, expanding on the original story by Cats In Space.
This comic is created in collaboration with the band Cats In Space, inspired by their mini rock opera from the "Day Trip To Narnia" album. The story follows John Roquet, a young boy from 1960s America with dreams of space travel, whose life takes an unexpected turn. Sentinel originators Alan Holloway and Ed Doyle are big fans of the band, and some may recall that they used their "Cat Pod" imagery as a spaceship in "Bad Kitty". As a bonus, you can also add prints of these covers as a Kickstarter add-on!
Ed's art on The Story Of Johnny Rocket is all in black and white, in typical Sentinel fashion. The use of strong contrasts with solid black areas and white spaces creates a stark visual impact. The lines are clean and precise, contributing to a clear delineation of objects and figures within the composition. Doyle pays attention to detail in textures, as seen in the patterns on clothing and surfaces, adding depth to the two-dimensional medium.
Alan's story is another one where an awful lot is packed into 70 pages as we follow the life of John Roquet as he aims to become a Rocket Man. A life story in 70 pages? No problem if you've been following Alan's Sentinel work, as he's mastered fitting it all in without it feeling crammed or rushed. The story includes a few time jumps, but they all feel natural as the story progresses. Alan has respected the band's original story while adding depth to the characters and storyline. It's a thrilling ride through John's life, showing that although there are going to be hardships and obstacles, there's hope and ways through to still get a happy ending.
Sentinel Issue 16: The Story of Johnny Rocket is a must-read for fans of both comics and rock music. The collaboration with Cats In Space brings a unique and engaging story to life, enriched by Ed Doyle's striking black-and-white artwork. It's a wonderful collaboration that manages to stay true to the band's story whilst fitting in nicely with what Sentinel has created previously. You don't need to have listened to their work to enjoy this, but you really should check Cats In Space out anyway. But if you don't, then this is another unmissable Sentinel issue - which, honestly, we've come to expect.
If you're eager to dive into this cosmic adventure, now is the perfect time to support the project on Kickstarter and secure your copy along with exclusive prints. You don't miss out on this stellar journey!
Rating: 4.4/5
