With issue 5 of IDW’s The Highest House, this comic shifts gears. No, it doesn’t enter the Industrial Age of Machines, but it does move ahead and leave some things behind.
To briefly describe the book’s premise, here’s the briefest of all summaries: A medieval tale of a young slave named Moth, who has had the good fortune to save important lives at Highest House. He’s not leading a fully charmed life, however, as one of his mentors happens to be a scheming creature hidden in a rock, deep within the walls of Highest House. What will the future bring for Moth, with mentors such as these?
Writer Mike Carey continues the saga of Moth in issue 5, as I mentioned above. Moth is growing up before our eyes. He is being given more responsibility. He’s starting to notice girls! (gasp!). He is itching to have an adventure! Well, in issue 5, lots of things happen to move the narrative in these very directions.
Carey has an enchanting writing style which lulls us into closely following the comings and goings of castle life. Just when political maneuvering, romance, and pecking order issues seem to dominate the day, along comes a murder plot, or some double crossing! Peter Gross’s artwork (colors by Fabien Alquier) fits the bill for this story; part storybook illustration, part cartoon, it is not flashy but gets the job done without distracting us. And hurrah for that!
The Highest House stands out at the local comic book store for its imaginative covers by Yuko Shimizu. Also for the fact that the comic is larger than the standard comic book size: it measures 11″ high and 8.375″ wide. So it might be displayed among the graphic novels at your store. Just saying.
IDW The Highest House #5. $4.99 for 27 oversized pages of content. No rating available: assume Teen
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