On May 23, 2016, Arthur L. Johnson High School opened their annual art show. The biggest draw to the event is when the senior students of art programs get a section to show their work. As I wandered among the sections my eyes were drawn to the display of Gia Pozo. A dear friend of mine, she has had a long and successful year so far. She has been major roles in both the play and musical, won an award for her lead in the play, and was accepted into her first choice school the School of Visual Arts in New York City for animation. What else could she have done? Oh wait, she is releasing a new comic series today. Gia has been working on her first edition of her original comic "Broken Lights on Broadway" as the final presentation of her senior year. A story focusing on a skeleton with a dream, to break into the world of Broadway. I picked up my copy and waited until I reached the comfort of my home to flip through it at my own leisure. Once I did I was amazed; I felt this was something that needed to be spread around. So what better way than to write a review.
There is no business like show business. When it comes to the aspiring actor Tyler, there seems to be no business at all. What can a skeleton do? This is a world where a variety of monsters and ghouls exist among Tyler, trying to live out their lives. In a small, but noticeably belittling exchange between a human co-worker and the barista ghost Sherry , it is suggestive that socially the world is not harmonious with these ghouls. The readers are cut off after a phone exchange between Tyler and his agent Mason, Tyler demanding a real break into the Broadway scene.
The phrase "unnaturally natural" comes to mind with how the story is presented to the readers. Gia Pozo found casual and sometimes humorous ways to ease the audience into the idea that the characters we are used to seeing in our horror movies and ghost stories, live normal lives and aspire similar goals. Tyler, our leading skeleton, is an assembly of sassy bones wrapped in a green tank. Tyler can come off diva in some moments, but readers come to see a character that also sympathizes with being down and out. Pozo wrote a character that we love or will love to hate.
Mason, the mystery agent, is so far just that. Not much was established with this character so there is little to really expect from him. This could be due to the limitation of not enough pages for a first edition. From the effort put into his clumsy action and disheveled attire, there may be more to expect from Mason. Until then I with the rest of readers, will have to wait with bated breath.
Sherry, our ghost barista, is a personal favorite. The artist's way of playing with the design of the ghost is useful in establishing her transparency while still making her an adorable character. Pozo's decision on Sherry only being able to communicate with a dry erase board unique and adds humor to some of her statements. There is just something precious about the nonverbal barista ghost that I feel all readers will come to agree. In the same breath I also fear that some of the interactions she has had in this first issue will suggest trouble fairly soon.
What I expect to be exciting is the universe that has yet to be fully explored. So far there is not much that has yet to expand upon the world beyond the characters, this could be the fault of not enough pages. This isn't highly negative. It's the first issue where too much universe building can become overwhelming. Instead, Pozo seems to hint at many plot and world expanding possibilities. While the main theme suggests an aspire for your dreams, there seems to be a suggested undertone of facing discrimination in the form of "monster hate."
Overall, I have high hopes for this series. A unique set of characters with a universe with limitless possibilities. I feel that this can become something that readers will wait impatiently by the computer.
