How I Made The World is what I would call a journal entry style of comic. Upon starting it I was reminded of Natalie Nourigat’s Between Gears. There are two distinct differences; there is a writer and an artist on this book and its fictional… mostly… I think? That’s the charm, I don’t know. That was part of the entertainment for me, I didn’t know if it was some biographical mixed with fiction, but I liked it. Much in the way I liked Between Gears because of the narrative journal entry style. The journal entries come from our writer Liz Plourde as she’s stuck on the waiting list for the poetry class and ends up in an art class. The midterm becomes the bane of her existence though as she beings working on it late at night over and under thinking it all at the same time. There is a twist to the story that is worth experiencing yourself.
There’s a shorter second story which is pull from Plourde’s childhood and has a bit of fantasy to it was well. But there is some more charm of this series as the personal tales walk the lines of fiction and non-fiction. It makes for two well-constructed and entertaining stories, but more importantly it doesn’t feel as if you’re reading them. Sure your eyes are doing all the work, but Plourde’s narrative voice is so strong and masterful that it’s more like she’s reading to you.
The other side of this coin is Randy Michaels’ artwork which brings Liz and her world to life. Michaels matches Plourde’s writing so well that at times you might forget that there are two talented creators working on this series. Since the narration has a journal vibe to it, Michaels has the task of what to show and what will in a way continue the journal feel. At one point the art teacher is listing different types of “pods” and Michaels illustrates the pods near each example called out with Liz blankly staring at it all. Something about this scene really sold the journal style for me.
I’m interested to see where this series goes. I’d assume it would continue with this style and I’m honestly looking forward to more personal tales from Plourde with a fictional twist to them. At least in my reading experience I haven’t seen something like that and definitely not from two strong collaborators. The book is approaching its final order date so if you’re interested make sure you tell your comic shop to order you a copy or pre-order from an online retailer. I know I’ll be looking forward to checking out a print copy myself.
Score: 4/5
Writer: Liz Plourde Artist: Randy Michaels Self-Published Price: $2.95 Release Date: June, 2014 Website Diamond Order Code: APR141257