Customer Reviews

Flight, Volume Three

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I remember back in the day when graphic novels were special. They told special, landmark stories such as things like "Arkham Asylum". But in recent years the Graphic Novel has largely lost its importance, at least in mainstream comics. The stories told in them are no more significant than those told in the monthly comic. Thankfully some people still get the importance of the graphic novel. One of those is the wonderful anthology series Flight from Ballantine Books, now on its third volume and containing over two dozen stories from some of the most talented artists/cartoonists and writers around today. Even if many of these people are not household names it in no way diminishes their remarkable ability to tell a story, quite often with limited or no dialog at all. The depth of diversity and power of creativity in these 352 pages is impressive even to a long time comic fan like myself.

The book gets off to a resounding start with Michel Gagne's "Underworld" as a tiny little fox follows a butterfly deep into a who and into a frightening, cavernous kingdom where a strange creature is about to become a meat for a hideous insect-like beast. This is an enchanting little tale.

"The Edge" by Ben Hatke finds two buddies, Pete & Felix journeying off to the woods and finding a lone house at what the hermit occupant claims is the literal edge of the world.

In "Beneath the Leaves: Lemming City" three companions, a pig, a cat, and a dog (I think) find themselves lost on their own journey and then stumble upon the mythical city of Utopolis, home of the Lemmings. When the trio accidentally cause one lemming to fall out of line, they, and he, find themselves sentenced to death. But just what is the worst punishment you can give a lemming?

Phil Craven's "The Rescue" is a rollicking, manga-esque story told completely in pictures without any dialog of a young boy helping a shape-changing monster to escape from the marauding hunters who are trying to kill it. Simply a gorgeous story!

Cartoonist and animator Bill Plympton, a name everyone should know, contributes "The Cloud" a bizarre story of a little cloud who refuses to follow the rules of the elder clouds as Plympton makes a case of standing out from the crowd.

"So Far, So Close" by Bannister is a stunning yet simple tale of two strangers whose paths cross on a bus.

"The Brave Sea" by Steve Hamaker tells the story of a little seal who dares to question his elders and journeys into the dark waters that he's been warned to avoid and ends up the savior of his people.

Kazu Kibushi is the editor and driving force behind the book and is to be praised for recruiting the many fine artists who have lent their talents to this latest volume. This is a book that truly is one for all ages. A graphic novel tour-de-force!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

I initially preordered Flight 3 to read Reagan Lodge's comic "Tea" but instead I was treated to so much more. The 340 glossy pages of artwork in this collection are absolutely incredible and come in many styles that are sure to please the eyes. All 26 stories are extremely entertaining and imaginative (ranging from comedic to dramatic), and you'll find yourself reading these strips over and over after devouring the book (everytime I read this book I just can't stop grinning). Created by artists ranging from professionals who work for big companies like Dreamworks to skilled individuals new to Flight, this book will definitely captivate you with its stunning quality and adventure-themed stories. My personal favorites are "Underworld" by Michel Gagné, "Old Oak Trees" by Tony Cliff, "The Cloud" by Bill Plympton (one of the cutest stories I've ever come across), and of course Reagan Lodge's "Tea." But don't get me wrong, they are ALL superb.

Now I'm on a rampage to buy the previous two volumes of Flight.

The Flight comic books are by far my favorite comic books on my bookshelf. The stories have a universal appeal, even to people who wouldn't usually be interested in the medium, and the artwork is absolutely top-notch. Flight Vol. 3 continues the series admirably with even more wonderful storytelling. It's absolutely overflowing with creativity.

I love this one...and ordered a copy for myself after seeing it at the library. Unique, colorful, clever imagery and stories in comic form that are not to be missed. A real treat after a long day. I have not read issues 1 & 2 yet myself, but heard several times that this one is even better than both those prior editions.

I went to the library one rainy afternoon when the comic book store was closed to browse their older volumes and ended up picking up the only Flight volume they had in stock, number 3. I originally picked it up for the soft well used cover which meant it had been well loved, and because I was trying to pull myself out of my Marvel fueled X-men fangirldom that originally brought me into the world of comics. Not that I don't still love them, but I was looking for something a little more independent, something I could call a graphic novel. This is the bookthat kickstarted my devotion.
I experienced the entire spectrum of emotion in that three hour first read, from laughing through "Hunter" by Johane Matte, to crying my eyes out in "Polaris" by Azad. I continued the series dutifully to experience such moments again, as well as to see what happens to little Rex in Michael Gagne's spectacular opening story (which has since been compiled into "The Saga of Rex".)
Moving is really the only description I can give. Each story is a fantastic metaphor delivered so succinctly. I've since used these volumes as sort of coffee table books (they're just so pretty) and have walked in on bright-eyed guests desperately asking me where to find a copy of these.
In a personal confession, I never did return that book to the library and (as a poor college student) I found that libraries actually turn you over to collections for not returning books. Totally worth it.
I would give this book all the stars in the galaxy.

i cherish this book. i got it for my birthday in 2007. i still read it. i love how each story has a lesson to go with it. even "so far so close" a comic u would think its just a story written to get his art work out there, his art IS amazing. but i noticed they both are wearing rings. sometimes u have to work to find the lesson. as for this one. and some its easy to tell as with "polaris". i love this book. it makes a great gift!

Bought this mostly for the Ben Hatke story "The Edge of the World" which I found enjoyable both to look at and to read. Ben has a very laid back style both to his art and to his story telling that veils the deeper meanings in the story until you are too far in to turn back and in fact don't want to turn back.

The other stories are a mixed bag. The styles are diverse so you're bound to find something you like to look at but at the same time some you don't. The story and writing quality is also diverse from serviceable to quite enjoyable and surprising. I'll definitely look into the other volumes of this series though it will help my decision if they include a story by Hatke.

I bought this for the cover art - it was a beautiful cover and inside was some really fine art. The problem I had with this collection though is that some of these stories go absolutely nowhere and are pointless. I am not a fan of style over substance and it wasn't even that the stories were weird and Lynchian out there. After reading some of the stories I thought, WTF? I am a huge fan of all styles of art and writing, but this collection, well, some of the stories shouldn't of been in here because it is weak writing that really made me not like this so much. Most of the art is fantastic and some is just plain bad - but I expect that from collections. I just feel let down by seeing such an epic looking beautiful cover like that and all I got was watered dow and weak tales of which most of them were a waste of time to read.

love the quality of the draws and the best of course are the stories.. you will find yourself reading this book for hours and not get bored.

While I enjoyed this collection, it doesn't have as much depth as Flight #2. The imagery in general doesn't take you to a unique universe like really great comics should. Some of the writing is quite mundane which makes this collection seem like second string work. However, in a field ironically devoid of real creativity the stories are still some of the best to be seen. Perhaps the amazing level of Flight 2 was just too hard to sustain. Despite the general, everyday, autobiographical nature of many of these stories there are still enough gems that create their own unique world that I recommend this book to all serious admirers of the comic genre.