the Sidewise webcomic
Written by Dwight L. MacPherson
Illustrated by Igor Noronha
Published online via Zuda
Sidewise, the creation of MacPherson and Noronha, is an in-progress strip hosted by Zuda. The story of teenager Adam Graham who, while preparing for an examination, inadvertently finds himself stuck in a parallel version of post-Victorian 1902 London. Replete with such oddities as Nikola Tesla cast as a freedom fighter challenging the reign of Queen Victoria's disembodied brain, Graham's new predicament is an imaginative world full of action and mystery.
MacPherson's solemn respect for the English language is terribly refreshing, his wordplay starkly original and self-assured. I have exchanged just enough online contact with the man to verify that he is way smarter than me. Seeing the obvious and dire need for all-ages comic book reading materials, he has infused Sidewise with adventurous charm enough to appeal to younger readers, while inhabiting the character roster with historic and literary references that call to mind a manner of League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen- albeit without the kinks and politics.
Noronha's art is fun and lively. Very animated in feel, much thought was given to the designwork of the automatons and Tesla coils and the like that fill the screens. I'm not as familiar with his work beyond Sidewise, but I would like to believe that such efforts will bring his name to a much larger audience. MacPherson does have an eye for uber-creative collaborators.
I have been vocal in the past regarding my thoughts on Zuda, and wanted to review this work stoically without slipping into a more obvert commentary. Of course there is a place for digital presentations of the medium, and Zuda is certainly one of the larger and more esteemed breeding grounds for such. However, for those followers who have themselves attempted an entry into this world, or with friends who have tried, one is quick to see the status quo therein of a high school popularity contest in full effect. Although, I truly wish that Sidewise, along with other of the more industrious offerings, can continue to rise above and stand on their own two feet, deservedly helping to fill the void of responsible figureheads- as to what comic books in general can be, at their very best. Namely, something for everyone (and even dangerously educational!). So far, so good I am pleased to say.
Sidewise is updated weekly and past chapters are well-worth updating yourself on. I would say the comic strip runs a very close second to my all-time favorite Zuda comic, Gus Higuera's Re-Evolution. Great comics.
See more of Dwight's work here and more of Igor's work here.
Read Sidewise right now at Zuda: http://www.zudacomics.com/sidewise
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4 comments:
Thank you for the wonderful, thoughtful review, my friend. I truly appreciate your vocal support.
I wanted to mention this in the article, but it didn't flow quite right.
If the comic is yet garnering page views, there can only be either of two reasons. People are yet to learn of its existence- which is a problem that will likely resolve itself. Or..the old standby. Anything not homogeneous or androgynous enough just throws folks off. Most readers do like to go with what they know and are timid to try new things. Meanwhile, there is the constant uphill battle for the more original works out there (like Sidewise) to find validation. There are a world of non-spandex, unbelievably great reads in this medium. It all boils down to people willing to take a chance.
I too, thank you for such an objective and insightful review. I just linked up to it on my blog.
I am hoping that Sidewise can change the minds of those people you spoke of in your response. It also takes the support of the publisher to really promote these types of comics as well.
Thanks again for a great review,
Rebecca
And thank you for checking out my li'l corner, Madame MacPherson!
A trade collection down the line wouldn't hurt, for sure. This is EXACTLY the kind of story you give a young reader to hook them into comic book fandom.
Hell, even into reading in general.
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