The next tome of Oblivion Song is about new twists. I am reviewing the third volume of the Oblivion Song series by Robert Kirkman.
At the outset, let us recall: Oblivion Song. A Song of the Abyss is a series by Robert Kirkman using the theme of parallel reality. In the created reality, the parallel reality is full of dangerous creatures, but it does not discourage the daredevils. Some of them even decided to settle in a different world permanently, despite the constant threat from the local fauna.
Some time has passed since the events of the second volume, and humanity's approach to the exploration of alien reality has changed somewhat. It has become more systematic and geared towards exploring and exploiting an alien world. The situation becomes more complicated when a group of people is attacked by an unknown, intelligent enemy (to be expected from the last frames of the second volume). This changes the balance of power and introduces a new variable to events. And Kirkman wouldn't be himself if he had stopped there. Another thing is that the direction in which he is headed is not necessarily clear: it is as if he were creating the whole from volume to volume. We know it from somewhere, don't we?
On the basis of this comic, you can forge a thesis that in the case of Oblivion Song it is better at running the plot, when it is not forced to simultaneously conduct sensational plots and expand the presented world, create characters, etc. When he does not have to do it, he focuses on the story itself, in its own style focusing on building smaller or larger conflicts between characters (or simply changing relationships) and actions. Worse, all plot turns force changes in the attitude, psychology of characters: unfortunately, here you get the impression that Kirkman is doing it in the head, trying to cover the deficiencies with the plot. Up to a point he actually succeeds, but with time reflection comes.
In the third volume of the series, Kirkman focuses on pure entertainment, not delving into the psychology of the characters, developing multi-level plots or presenting original content. He can surprise, he can sense the moments when you need to change the balance of power, but the result is… well, typical of Kirkman. Either you buy his story or you look for something else. The more that the illustrations by Lorenzo De Felici are created mechanically, without a tooth and without the ability to build a climate. Oh, another volume for Kirkman fans - if you have been convinced by his previous stories, you will not be disappointed here either.
