Broken Frontier

One of the most thought-provoking OGNs on the shelves today, Ray Fawkes’ One Soul sings…

Tipping in at over 150 pages, One Soul by Canadian cartoonist Ray Fawkes isn’t the kind of book you read in one sitting. Philosophical, poetic, and perhaps even visionary, Oni Press’ latest venture into the realm of so-called literary comics challenges the readers to readjust their point of view on numerous levels. A bona fide technical virtuoso, if Fawkes’ skills as an artist weren’t so intrinsic to the success of his graphic novel, they would be almost secondary to the journey he’s inviting us to take with him.

Following the life stories of eighteen diverse, shining souls, Fawkes weaves a narrative about the human condition that spans the history of humankind as we have come to know it. Using a strict nine-panel grid format for virtually the entire book, Fawkes defines and develops each member of his ensemble cast with thought and precision. Choosing each moment for maximum emotional impact and displaying remarkable restraint, Fawkes deftly builds each life brick by spiritual brick letting each individual thread play itself out to its logical, if sometimes shocking conclusion.

Starkly related in black and white, Fawkes’ deceptively simple style only serves to underscore the complexity of his storytelling. Unlike most of us, Fawkes has read his McCloud and understood it. Fluid, logical transitions are key to the success of juggling so many different plot threads and Fawkes delivers, moving from character to character with ease, thematically linking each through a lively, rhythmic narration that just rolls off the tongue. Despite this high level of craftsmanship, Fawkes never loses sight of his storytelling goals. Technique, while integral to One Soul`s success, appropriately fades into the background. The audience though enraptured by the work`s broad thematic scope and focused characterization, never realizes exactly why One Soul resonates so deeply.

Not simply a brilliantly crafted rumination on what it means to be human but an exploration of what it means to be a part of humankind, One Soul might come off a bit intimidating to the casual comics reader. Those of us who have witnessed this medium grow and evolve over the course of the last few decades understand the importance of a book like One Soul. Transcending form through sheer brilliant craftsmanship, Fawkes reshapes our shared history into a modern visual tapestry of extended soundbites, asking us to embrace our diversity as a species even as he shows us how we’re all the same.