RazorFine Review

• Title: Morning Glories #15
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Nick Spencer
• Artist: Joe Eisma

In the latest issue of Morning Glories Zoe takes center stage and makes a solid case why she might be the most screwed-up member of the freshman class (which, at this school, is saying something!) as the Wood Run storyline continues.

Zoe and Hunter work together to capture their flag, stopping to make camp and to give Zoe a chance for a not-so-comforting lecture the impossibility of a Hunter and Casey relationship. Along the way Hunter meets a new friend who not only has high nerd cred but a pretty obvious crush on Hunter as well. It’s too bad, given the shocking final panels, things between them will never work out.

Once again writer Nick Spencer and artist Joe Eisma give us another weird, but highly entertaining tale, and a terrific value. At an age when content seems to be shrinking as more and more monthly comics seem hellbent on a $4 price-tag, here’s 30 pages of (very good) story for $3. That’s pretty awesome, if you ask me. Worth a look.

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• Title: Morning Glories #14
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Nick Spencer
• Artist: Joe Eisma

It looks like we’ll have to wait at least a month to find out what exactly has happened with Casey and Miss Hodge. In the latest issue we see the fallout from Hunter‘s blow-up with Zoe from her point of view, intermixed with the beginning of Woodrun, and odd flashbacks to Pilgrims torturing a man to get information out of girl who bears a resemblace to Jade in the year 1653.

In a nice move, writer Nick Spencer chooses to give Zoe a moment to actually feel the hurt of Hunter’s comments, and the overheard gossiping of the other girls before returning to full bitch mode and deciding on a slow revenge.

For an issue centered around arguably the series most unlikable character, this one turns out to be pretty good. I liked how the Pilgrim story eventually worked itself around to the main tale. We see a little of Woodrun from Zoe, Hunter and Jun‘s point of view but (not surprisingly) things turn ominous just as the comic comes to a close.

The mystery remains two-steps out of reach for the characters and audience alike, but I’m so enjoying the ride that (at least for now) I’m not too worried on the destination. Worth a look.

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• Title: Morning Glories #13
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Nick Spencer
• Artist: Joe Eisma

I had a definite sense of déjà vu when reading this issue of Morning Glories. The comic replays the conversation between Casey and Hunter before giving us its fallout from another point of view. Even if the comic includes a couple of pages of panels we’ve already seen this one is packed with pages to spare (30+) which is a damn fine deal for only $3.

As the school gets ready for a mysterious activity called “Woodrun” Casey, Ike and Jade make a run for a secret rendezvous with the school’s guidance counselor Miss Hodge. We’ve certainly seen our share of peculiar events over the course of the series but this one is one of the strangest as a series of shadows on the cave wall allow Hodge and Casey to apparently time travel to a different point along their timeline. As to who they meet, let’s just say there’s going to be some explaining to do in the next issue.

The issue delivers another solid tale by further the story but still keeping most of its secrets unrevealed. Worth a look.

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• Title: Morning Glories #12
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Nick Spencer
• Artist: Joe Eisma

After giving us a series of issues centered around each of the new students at Morning Glories Academy the latest issue spotlights the return of Miss Hodge, the school’s guidance counselor.

The issue opens with Hodge’s return to the school which starts in the middle of nowhere at an apparent military facility as the character takes an elevator miles below the earth, transfers a huge empty warehouse (in a hazmat suit), and goes through a vault to to arrive at the school. I’m guessing the school doesn’t get many visitors.

The rest of the issue involves Hodge meeting with Miss Daramount, the school nurse, and several of the students one-on-one. In typical Morning Glories fashion, the meetings are far from regular talks. Hodge gives Zoe a gun, struggles to talk with Jun and Ike, and offers Casey her heart’s desire (after getting a right hook on the chin).

The addition of Hodge gives the comic yet another wild card. The start of a new arc, issue #12 is a good jump in point for those looking to jump into the series. Worth a look.

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• Title: Morning Glories #11
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Nick Spencer
• Artist: Joe Eisma

Following the recent trend to spend each issue focusing on a single character the latest issue of Morning Glories showcases Ike, the weaselly member of the group who has already betrayed the other new arrivals for a cushy new room an all kinds of special perks. Now Mr. Gribbs has another tempting offer for Ike: He will be allowed to leave the school just by doing it a small favor.

Much like the previous issues focused on the other members of the group we get plenty of flashbacks into Ike’s life including the aftermath of a murder he committed, being charged with the murder of his father, showing up drunk on a party bus at his father’s funeral, and acting like a real douche to the members of the board when he takes control of his father’s company.

The entire issue is centered around temptation. First Ike is offered his freedom by Gribbs, and then more amorous pursuits by Ms. Daramount, and all he has to do is commit one simple murder. However, in true Morning Glories style, the issue gives us a final twist when Ike learns the identity of his intending victim. Worth a look.

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• Title: Morning Glories #10
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Nick Spencer
• Artist: Joe Eisma

Keeping in form with the recent issues, issue #10 focuses specifically around Jade. What do you say about a comic that has a character hang herself in the middle of a classroom of her peers at the prompting of her teacher?

What we learn in this issue is that Jade sees reality in many different ways including while dreaming, under some kind of forced hypnosis or sleep, and, even during brief moments of death (real or imagined). The way the story is presented its hard to get a handle on how much is actually happening to Jade and how much of it is in her mind.

What we do know is in this other reality she sees several interesting characters including what appears to be an older version of herself trying to help her along her troubled journey. Like most of the series so far this one raises more questions than answers, and I’ve got mixed feelings concerning the emotionally explosive hanging sequence, but it’s certainly not boring. Worth a look.

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• Title: Morning Glories #9
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Nick Spencer
• Artist: Joe Eisma

It appears the Morning Glories Academy can destroy the closest ties, even the bond between brothers. The latest issue of the mysterious institution for gifted youngsters born on the same day centers around Jun and his doppleganger who is revealed to be his twin brother Hisao.

Once again we see how far Miss Daramount will go to collect one of the children prized so highly by the academy. Hisao was taken years before on the day their parents were killed as his twin brother was left to burn alive. Well, that’s only part of the story. The brothers actually switched places, altering both their destinies. The one we know as Jun is actually Hisao (and vice-versa). And why does one want to kill the other? Confused yet?

We’re also given another appearance by the mysterious stranger who helped Jin escape the fire after the murder of his parents. As to what his agenda is in helping Jin take down the academy we’re still not sure, but I’m willing to stick around to find out. Worth a look.

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• Title: Morning Glories, Volume One: For a Better Future
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Nick Spencer
• Artist: Joe Eisma

A new group of six students, the best and the brightest, make their way to Morning Glories, one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country. They soon find themselves tested, tortured, and locked inside a facility far more insidious than the brochures would have you believe.

Writer Nick Spencer’s tale has been compared to everything from Lost to The Prisoner. For me, if feels much more like a modern teenage take on the later (and thankfully lacks the all the flashbacks of the former). What Spencer and artist Joe Eisma do give us is a tale of dark secrets which aren’t going to be revealed easily about an organization that will do whatever it takes to fulfill its mysterious goals.

Volume One collects the first six-issue mini-series of the now on-going Image Comics title. The story centers around six new students: Casey (the most promising), Ike (the sociopath), Hunter (the nerd), Zoe (the bitch), Jun (the tough silent type), and Jade (the emo chick).

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