By now, we readers know that IDW’s Sleeping Beauties, from a book co-written by Stephen King and Owen King, is about a sleeping virus.
That is, it affects women, who when they fall asleep are covered by a cocoon-like substance, immobilizing them. And don’t wakey-wakey the women, they become psychotic and hyperviolent.
In issue 3, the virus is spreading. Where did it come from? Perhaps the forest. How is it spread? Why only women? What’s the cure? No clue. Literally.
In this adaptation to the comic page by Rio Youers, with art by Alison Sampson, colours by Triona Tree Farrell, and lettering by Valerie Lopez, it’s talking animals without Dr. Dolittle. It’s hatred and roofies and bad behaviour. Visually, every shot is from a strange, unsettling angle, the figures acting as lifelike props. Low angle upwards, then high angle as the crow sees. A reaction, a response, then a radical shift in colour, and a kaleidoscope of shades, hues, and horror.
It works, the story is gripping and infectious. There is no joy in Mudville today, only women plunging into slumber, not golden, not delicious. Just deep sleep, perhaps to dream of the forest and talking birds. What to do next, after that jumbo tankard of coffee? Stay awake on Elm Street.
The lettering, though slow to read, adds an interesting counterpoint or disharmony to the visual proceedings. Black word balloons with white text. Floaty balloons with italic. Green balloons with white. And so on. An extra voice, compelling yet unhelpful to healing.
It’s a hard-working comic, pushing the boundaries, resisting control, and injections. It’s virulent and coming your way, to your LCS, to your horror.
IDW, Sleeping Beauties #3, $3.99 for 21 pages of story. Mature
Newsdesk