Read Eighty Days

Enjoyed this graphic novel set in an alternate early 20th century world with an invented fascist government. Told partially in epistolary format through logbooks and telegraphs which works reasonably well. The story works, though it shifts midway in genre and central characters due to plot happenings. Incorporating Sable more into the early parts of the book would have helped the transition. Relationships are important to the story moreso than character per se. I would have been interested to understand Jay’s backstory, which I think could have deepened his choices and struggles later in the story.

I understand the limitations of the medium, forcing tradeoffs in how much story you can tell. To make this a single volume graphic novel it couldn’t delve further into these things — I could see this working as a multi-volume work that centered the romance more, with deeper characterization. Or, potentially turning the focus of the book to Sable rather than combining her story with Jay and Fix’s romance — her arc is the most dramatic.

Fix is initially presented as an “urchin” implying he’s pretty young, and he’s drawn young, so I think it would have been wise to make his age clear earlier since Jay seems quite a bit older.

The artwork is lovely, with washes accompanying the black and white linework. Every page uses a different configuration of panels, which keeps it lively, along with some very dynamic layouts. I especially like Sable’s visual transformation from the opening to the middle to the end that aligns with her character arc. Where the artwork falls down is in fight scenes and action sequences, which can be somewhat difficult to follow along due to the shading style and motion lines.

I’d definitely read another book by the author.