Boom!
Box's highly anticipated new series is reviewed by John Collins. Will it be a
smash or a burn out?...
Writer:
Frank Gibson
Artist:
Becky Dreistadt
Publisher:
Boom! Box
Based on the front cover, I immediately put this series in the bracket of Pokemon, Angry Birds and Moshi Monsters. The colourful artwork is child-friendly and the same can be said for the story itself.
The plot is very formulaic, with the adventurous and brave Tamzen going into the woods to explore and discovering a creature who encompasses the likeable elements of a mystical manga character. While this premise will undoubtedly entertain children of all ages, I feel Frank Gibson’s script will appeal only to that market. Not that it’s a problem however, without sounding like a prude, for me the dialogue was dull and on the nose and the characters a bit too generic. It feels like a story that’s been told before.
Nevertheless, a structural aspect of the script that impressed me was the introduction of a creature in the last few pages of the story rather than at the beginning. While the title demonstrates the creatures as being the main characters, the majority of the issue explored the characters of Tamzen and Jory who will learn more of the creatures in the following issues. By not introducing the creatures until near the end, Gibson has highlighted the day-to-day lives of the characters in order for readers to get to know them in order to begin a journey with them once the main storyline begins.
I don’t necessarily think it’s a generation thing, but perhaps I’m now used to dark adult-oriented stories that the appeal in ‘Capture Creatures’ lies in either the enjoyment for younger children or adults who feel it captures their child-hood in terms of magical creatures, imagination and innocence. However, it will undoubtedly be a success and you know never know, further issues may grow on me.
Writer:
Frank Gibson
Artist:
Becky Dreistadt
Publisher:
Boom! Box
Based on the front cover, I immediately put this series in the bracket of Pokemon, Angry Birds and Moshi Monsters. The colourful artwork is child-friendly and the same can be said for the story itself.
The plot is very formulaic, with the adventurous and brave Tamzen going into the woods to explore and discovering a creature who encompasses the likeable elements of a mystical manga character. While this premise will undoubtedly entertain children of all ages, I feel Frank Gibson’s script will appeal only to that market. Not that it’s a problem however, without sounding like a prude, for me the dialogue was dull and on the nose and the characters a bit too generic. It feels like a story that’s been told before.
Nevertheless, a structural aspect of the script that impressed me was the introduction of a creature in the last few pages of the story rather than at the beginning. While the title demonstrates the creatures as being the main characters, the majority of the issue explored the characters of Tamzen and Jory who will learn more of the creatures in the following issues. By not introducing the creatures until near the end, Gibson has highlighted the day-to-day lives of the characters in order for readers to get to know them in order to begin a journey with them once the main storyline begins.
I don’t necessarily think it’s a generation thing, but perhaps I’m now used to dark adult-oriented stories that the appeal in ‘Capture Creatures’ lies in either the enjoyment for younger children or adults who feel it captures their child-hood in terms of magical creatures, imagination and innocence. However, it will undoubtedly be a success and you know never know, further issues may grow on me.
4/10
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