Comics Bulletin logo
Search
  • Columns
    Random
    • All The Rage: Image Don't Publish Superheroes No More

      Daniel Gehen
      June 25, 2000
      All the Rage
    Recent
    • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

      Daniel Gehen
      February 8, 2021
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

      Daniel Gehen
      October 30, 2020
    • What Looks Good
    • Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    • The Full Run
    • Leading Question
    • Top 10
    • The Long-Form
    • Jumping On
    • Comics in Color
    • Slouches Towards Comics
  • Big Two
    Random
    • 4.0

      Wha...Huh? #1

      Daniel Gehen
      September 23, 2005
      Big Two Reviews, Marvel Comics, Reviews
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • Retro Review: Detective Comics #826 Remains a Holiday Classic

      Daniel Gehen
      December 3, 2020
    • DC Comics
    • Big Two Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
  • Indie
    Random
    • 3.8

      Review: A Woman Of Dust quietly matures a person's heart

      Daniel Gehen
      October 14, 2019
      Indie
    Recent
    • 4.0

      Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past

      Stephen Cook
      March 3, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Reviews
    • Archie Comics
    • Boom! Studios
    • Dark Horse
    • IDW
    • Image
    • Oni Press
    • Valiant
  • Reviews
    Random
    • DCU Rebirth Report: 7/13/16

      Daniel Gehen
      July 13, 2016
      Big Two, Big Two Reviews, DC Comics, Reviews
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • 2.3

      Review: SAVAGE #1 Needs Taming

      Daniel Gehen
      February 16, 2021
    • Singles Going Steady
    • Slugfest
    • Manga
      • Reviews
    • Small Press
      • Reviews
      • ICYMI
      • Tiny Pages Made of Ashes
  • Interviews
    Random
    • Star Wars Knight: John Jackson Miller

      Daniel Gehen
      January 26, 2008
      Interviews
    Recent
    • Interview: Jon Davis-Hunt Talks SHADOWMAN

      Daniel Gehen
      June 8, 2020
    • Interview: Becky Cloonan talks DARK AGNES and Her Personal Influences

      Mike Nickells
      March 4, 2020
    • Simon Roy

      Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR

      Mike Nickells
      January 29, 2020
    • Audio Interview
    • Video Interview
  • Classic Comics
    Random
    • The New Mike Sekowsky: Appreciating His Radical Years, Part Two: The Metal Shines

      Daniel Gehen
      May 23, 2014
      Classic Comics Cavalcade, Columns
    Recent
    • Countdown to the King: Marvel’s Godzilla

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2019
    • Honoring A Legend: Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

      Daniel Gehen
      February 15, 2019
    • Reliving the Craziest Decade in Comics History: An interview with Jason Sacks

      Mark Stack
      January 2, 2019
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade
    • Classic Interviews
  • News
    Random
    • Boom for 6/24/15: Distopian Aliens

      Daniel Gehen
      June 24, 2015
      News, This Week in BOOM!
    Recent
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN’S UNIVERSE

      Daniel Gehen
      February 18, 2021
    • SAVAGE DRAGON IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 17, 2021
    • Press Release
    • Kickstarter Spotlight
  • Books
    Random
    • Review: "Intro to Alien Invasion"

      Daniel Gehen
      September 16, 2015
      Books
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: Disney Frozen

      CB Staff
      November 22, 2019
    • Collecting Profile: NFL Superpro

      CB Staff
      August 31, 2019
    • “THE BEST OF WITZEND” is a Wonderful Celebration of Artistic Freedom

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2018
    • Review: ‘Machete Squad’ is a Disappointing Afghan Memoir

      Jason Sacks
      July 31, 2018
    • Review: ‘Out of Nothing’ is the Antidote to Our Sick Times

      Jason Sacks
      July 23, 2018
    • Review: ‘Bizarre Romance’ Shows Rough Edges in the Early Days of a New Marriage

      Jason Sacks
      July 10, 2018
What's New
  • Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past
  • Collecting Profile: Blue Beetle
  • Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia
  • Collecting Profile: Kraven the Hunter
  • Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good
  • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Write for us!
  • Visit Video Game Break!
Home
Indie

THE CYCLE Experiments in Familiarity

Daniel Gehen
April 27, 2020
Indie, Reviews

Wayward Raven

(w) Mark C. Frankel (a) Kathrin Ayer (c) Chunlin Zhao

One of the most rewarding experiences of attending a comic convention is strolling through Artist Alley and talking with the truly independent, unknown creators. These are people that don’t have the backing of the Big Two, a mid-sized publisher like BOOM! Or IDW, or even a Zenescope. What they do have is passion, drive, and usually a completely self-published floppy or graphic novel. While we all hope to return to conventions at some point this year, I’ve taken to digging through my own collection to dig up some indie comics from past years’ cons. Which brings us to The Cycle, a one-shot from upstart publisher Wayward Raven. Written by Mark C. Frankel, who is also the publisher’s CEO, The Cycle dabbles with familiar concepts of science-fiction and mythology for an original story.

The major premises of The Cycle is that the universe is ending, and that life is cyclical. End of the universe scenarios aren’t uncommon for the comics medium, with some heavy hitters like Crisis on Infinite Earths and Secret Wars to pull from. In fact, it seems that every year brings a major, cataclysmic event from comics publishers big and small. However, The Cycle exists in a world seemingly devoid of the capes and spandex crowd that typically accompanies cosmic cataclysms in favor of a pair of romantically-linked scientists.

Frankel and his art team make quick work of establishing Marutuk and Tiama’s relationship. Though the dialogue is clucky and a bit too expository, it’s effective at setting up the narrative and establishing the stakes. Unfortunately, roughly half the page count is spent establishing the backstory of this issue, leaving little for the meat of the story. A completely original one-shot of standard issue length is a tricky feat to pull off, and The Cycle could have greatly benefited from more pages or a “recap page” to set the stage. Instead, the inside cover basically reprints the solicitation copy.

Once the issue moves past the introductory material, the pacing becomes a roller-coaster experience. The technical, sci-fi elements are rushed only for other material to drag on. A sex sequence following the consumption of some “forbidden fruit” evokes the Bibilical tale of Adam and Eve, but it goes on for several pages and adds nothing of value. Compounding matters is the art by Kathrin Ayer. While rough and flashing potential, her visuals lack the refinement seen in works like Sunstone or Sex Criminals. However, when Frankel’s script refocuses on scientific and abstract concepts, Ayer shines. It’d be great to see what she is able to accomplish with a tighter script that plays to her strengths.

The Cycle is not the most original comic, but it does enough with some familiar concepts to make for an entertaining enough read during quarantine. The ideas of death and rebirth on a cosmic scale is enough to keep readers thinking beyond the final page, while also comparing it to the execution in familiar works like Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? or The Matrix. While flawed, the independence of the creators allow them to take certain risks that Wednesday warrior won’t find prominently displayed on the shelves of their local comic shop.

THE CYCLE Experiments in Familiarity
Creative book that recycles familiar concepts, but loses points for lack of refinement.
3.5Overall Score

Chunlin ZhaoKathrin AyerMark C. FrankelThe CycleWayward Raven

Share On:
Tweet
What Looks Good Quarantine Week 6 – Presto!
Insider Art Anthology Announced to Benefit Women Retailers

About The Author

Daniel Gehen
Editor-in-Chief

Dan was introduced to the 1960s Batman show at a young age, which developed into a lifelong passion for comics. When he's not grinding out his day job, he can be found reading about Scarlet Speedsters, Web-Heads, or Sagas just about anywhere. If it's good he'll read it. If it's bad... there's a chance he still might read it.

Related Posts

  • 4.0

    Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past

    Stephen Cook
    March 3, 2021
  • 3.0

    Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

    Daniel Gehen
    February 22, 2021

Support Us!

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Friends of the Site

  • SOLRAD
  • Your Chicken Enemy
  • Psycho Drive-In
  • Women Write About Comics
  • The Beat
  • Loser City
RSSTwitterFacebookgoogleplusinstagramtumblr

Comics Bulletin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Comics Bulletin earns from qualifying purchases.

All content on this site (c) 2018 The Respective Copyright Holders