Review - The Example #1


"That's it! I'm getting a bus."

Whether people like it or not, there are numerous instances when stereotypes take over your thinking without your, well, thinking about it. The Example #1 from Gestalt Publishing is a fascinating take on a relatively mundane daily situation.

The issue is written by Tom Taylor, illustrated by Colin Wilson and featuring cover colors by Justin Randall.

Chris and Sam are both strangers waiting for a train. While waiting for the train, the duo share an interesting conversation about observing a lone briefcase. There's also words shared about the validity and circumstances surrounding the briefcase, including whose it is and what to with it. There's also the whole waiting for the train thing as well that makes for interesting conversation.

The story by Taylor is pretty poignant, despite it being only twelve or so pages. Chris and Sam boast interesting conversation, mainly around preconceived notions and stereotypes that come with strange scenarios. Many who take public transportation can relate some story about seeing someone who looks suspicious or seeing a bag left unattended and their accompanying thoughts. It's in engraved in travelers that if you "see something, say something" and it's something that has subtly ingrained itself in our collective unconscious. Their conversation does seem to cover the whole gamut of what a conversation would cover in such a situation and it does offer some interesting food for thought.

Wilson's art is all black and white. It looks like a newspaper comic strip transplanted into a comic, which makes sense for the topic of the book. The two characters are distinguishable enough and offer a good cross-section of the type of traveler waiting for a train. There is some really good use of shadows and silhouettes as well that also add to the mysteriousness surrounding such a scenario. The rectangles and panel grid pages also keep the story simple and moving along well.

The Example #1 is an interesting book that does provoke some thought. It challenges your notions of what you really do think about a situation that could be suspicious, but likely isn't. Chris and Sam offer a mix of viewpoints and emotions surrounding the lone briefcase and jinxing a train arriving on time. It is a short book though, which is something worth considering if you want to pick it up. Still though, the work is interesting and a relatively quick read for some thought-provoking reading.

The Example #1 is available now on comixology.

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