Thomas Alsop #6
Boom! Studios
Words: Chris Miskiewicz
Pictures: Palle Schmidt

I think I’ve figured it out.  No, not some major secret or plot line in Thomas Alsop.  Nope.  I think I’ve finally put my finger on why I like Thomas Alsop so much.  I kind of want to be him.

Thomas is an extraordinarily normal celebrity.  I mean he’s extraordinary yet completely relatable.  He’s the celebrity, or the type of celebrity, we can all see ourselves being.  Sure, we all say we’d like to be George Clooney, but come on; we’re not going to be Clooney.  Ever.  I’m never going to be that good looking, period.  I’m never going to have that kind of swagger.  I’m never going to be that talented an actor.  It’s just not going to happen.  

But Thomas?  That’s another story.  If I had his powers, I can see myself acting exactly like him.  I’d use them to get a degree of fame.  Famous enough where most people would know me, but not so famous I couldn’t just go about my business.  I’d like to think I’d be able to just interact nonchalantly with fans like it was no big deal because, hey, we’re all just trying to have a good time, right?  Thomas also dances to the beat of his own drummer, the Five Families be damned.  I think we all want to have that kind of confidence.  Yet, when push comes to shove and it’s time to put up or shut up, Thomas puts up in a big way.  I’d like to think that I’m the kind of person who would do that, make things right, no matter what the odds.  Completely remarkable; totally relatable. 

Now, let’s get to this issue.  (Sorry for the diversion there, but I really do like Thomas.)  I really dig the side journey here and the tale of Randall Clever.  It’s rather sad and touching really.  Chris continues to build layer after layer of coolness with this story.  And Palle is bringing it with his art.  I really dig the flashbacks and the completely different feel they have.  The modern day scenes have almost a sloppy, unfocussed vibe to them with the water color look.  It fits perfectly with Thomas.  He’s not a precision kind of guy.  He flies by the seat of his skill and makes it happen.  These panels show that very nicely.  But in the flashbacks, the black and white brings a sense of gravity to the panels.  There’s a depth there giving credence to the history they are telling. 

This book is just so damn good.  Buy it.

4.5 out of 5 Smoke Monsters (I didn’t even really mention the smoke monster, but he’s in there.)