Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Forgetless #1Forgetless #1
Image Comics
Spencer, Forbes & Zarcone

You read comic books for a few decades and it becomes difficult to find something truly new. Sure you can get new ideas for older characters or strange situations or new twists on old concepts like time travel or heroes gone bad, but for the most part you are reading something that has, in some way, been done before. However, Forgetless turns the format of a comic book completely on its side to tell a rather simple story. It's a good start for this series, but it's definitely one that requires a specific patience and an ability to open your mind. There's a lot here beyond just the story.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsThe plot is easy enough to follow: a couple of young girls find themselves in the role of hired hitman. This is nothing new, but the story itself unfolds like a real-time twitter feed, which could drive you nuts or come across as sheer brilliance. I'm leaning more towards brilliance.

The two main characters frequent a club called Forgetless, which is closing its doors. "SoniaLikely" (her alias) finds herself enrolling in a gun for hire job that involves tracking down a rapist at this club. Since it's closing, time is of the essence. Her friend, "SoSoSara", apparently already a hired gun, is tagging along and giving out some tips where they are needed. When they confront the rapist things just don't go as smoothly as killing on sight.

The comic also contains a backup story with other, as yet, unrelated characters to the hitgirls, as they plan their getaway to the club. Both stories contain excellent teenage-like dialogue and extremely indifferent, youthful defiance. It seems about right to me.

The comic, in addition to the tweets filling up the usual spots for thought bubbles, includes telling the story in reverse time. This is confusing, but even Spencer gives you a hint here or there on exactly how to keep track of how far backward the story has progressed. It's a good way to keep the reader engaged and paying full attention.

The artwork for the main story takes on a layered focus approach, almost to the point of making it appear 3-D. This is an interesting look to the overall presentation, but the primary detail is in the characters. They look like young adults and they all carry the appropriate expressions as their reactions to each other are lathered in sarcasm and general indifference towards each other. You just get the feeling from looking at the art that Sara and Sonia hang out with each other because they are bored and simply have nothing else to do rather than that they like each other. The art hits the right notes. The art in the backup takes on more of a comic book style, but again, the teenagers give off the same vibes. It all feels very realistic.

This is a series worthy checking out, as it seems like the kind of story that could take off out of nowhere. I enjoyed the first issue and its not because I identify with teenagers, but I like that the story makes me pay attention and hides pieces of the story within things like tweets and by telling the story backwards. This is a fun comic book to pick up. I definitely recommend it.

4 out of 5 geek goggles