Bigger Than Capes

Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Caspar Wijngaard
Lettered: Aditya Bidikar
Designer: Tom Muller
Production Artist: Erika Schnatz

Last issue we saw Buzz, Rip and Old James set out in search of the Final Ghost missing from the house. We also got plenty of insight into the history of System Disrupt and Old James himself. It was a really good issue, and this issue feels like the opposite side to the same coin. Here we’re treated to the Final Ghost’s point of view, along with the reveal of who she’s the ghost of. It’ll come as no surprise if you’ve read any of my previous reviews, but I thought this was a really strong issue of Home Sick Pilots

We see the influence of the Final Ghost on Rip, causing him to get lost in the tunnel’s last issue and now bringing them both together. The Ghost reaches out to Rip as kindred spirits, both left behind, The Final Ghost by the precursor to System Disrupt and Rip by his band members. It’s really well written by Dan Watters with both Rip and the Final Ghost coming across as relatable in their situation, which is indicative of the great character work we’ve seen throughout the series.

Equally Caspar Wijngaards artwork wonderfully illustrates the panels we see of the pair coming together. His colouring this issue is fantastic as ever but the harsh contrast of the Ghost’s green hair really works well against the pastel pinks and blues that feature prominently. I also like the way we see the colouring darken during more violent scenes as the issue progresses.

There’s a great sense of change within this issue, perhaps it’s the influence of the ghost but Rip comes to the realisation that he’s been left behind as the Home Sick Pilots went their separate ways some time ago, and finds himself in a role his bandmates are well familiar with by this point. On a more ghostly note we also see the guard freed from his post and even some changes for Old James. It feels like a real theme within the issue, and an aspect that’s well written by Watters and just as well visualised by Wijngaard.

Aditya Bidikar continues to be one of my favourite letterers. There’s a real range of supernatural characters this issue and the lettering gives them all a distinct voice. With the exception of Rip and Buzz no other characters are represented with the same style of lettering. It’s a small detail of Home Sick Pilots, but it’s one that gives an extra layer of detail to each character. I also like that the boxes of The Final Ghost speaking to Rip match up with the green of her hair.

We’re in the late stages of Home Sick Pilots at this point, and if you haven’t been following along with the series so far I still feel like it’s well worth catching up on. I feel like the conclusion that’s lurking in the not so distant future is going to be just as glorious as the series has been so far.