The Joyners in 3D
In an era of “augmented reality” in comic books, Ryan and Marquez shrug off expectations and demand to change the way we see enhanced comics. Using subtle 3-D effects (two pairs of anaglyph glasses are included), this tells the story of the rise and fall of George Joyner, an engineer on the precipice of a world-changing breakthrough. He is in a loveless marriage and about to release his latest invention: a machine that grants the ability to fly. Set in 2062, Joyner is already responsible for flying cars and floating cities, and Ryan expands the rich world by including details about mechanized limbs, household robots, and collapsible transportation. Helming the beautiful pencils and digital manipulation is critically acclaimed illustrator Marquez (Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, 2013), whose black-and-white artwork would jump off the page if that wasn’t already its intent. He renders faces with stern delicacy, softening edges of harsh characters and creating stark depth of field. This simultaneously fresh and nostalgic story pushes the boundaries of traditional comics. --Ben Spanner