Forget about chocolate. Life is a long journey, people. You have to find the right pace to keep it going. Once you do that, you might be surprised at how the terrain and landscape opens up before you.
That’s exactly how The Pedestrian has played out so far.
Issue #1 gave us a solid framework for our pedestrian adventures in Summer City. Issue #2, meanwhile, demonstrated The Pedestrian’s cosmic scope and intent. And issue three takes things back to street level, as some big things set foot on this fascinating comic strip.
As we enter issue 3, Walker is still reeling from his confrontation with Clutch (and the aforementioned cosmic ramifications of his evil plans/work). So we get to spend more time with the “normal” people of The Pedestrians, especially Kira, the twins Sid and Jeremy, and Detective Sherwood. (Additionally, Sophie continues to expand and build relationships with pedestrians, and continues to position herself beyond mere crosswalk policing.)
Main cover by Sean von Gorman. Courtesy of Magma Comics.
With all the wonders of the universe, none of these “everyday” events disappoint. This only further solidifies the ideas established in the first issue. This is not only the story of the entire town of Summer City (and what that means thematically for exploring the plight of modern communities), but there are so many layers to this story. It is. #3 was as much about people and how heroic they were as the speed-walking paladin (another key theme tentpole), it was about Clutch and his increasingly stubborn We kept the stakes high by building a creepy gangster legend. Masked believer. In this way, we maintain a human-centered, indie-leaning focus on relatable stories of people just trying to survive in an increasingly difficult world, while also focusing on Power and Sign. You’re getting something complex and exciting that shines in your fiance.
Without spoiling too much, The Pedestrian ends up in issue #3, which is a big enough buzz that it gives us that extra edgy excitement that we all really crave. But it happens without disrespecting others or suddenly making them feel like NPCs in the protagonist’s story. We have developed an active community, and we believe you can see anyone as a leader, depending on your preferences. (I chose the twins because they are the most insightful and well-developed so far. But please don’t go with Sophie Head.)
And so it should be. The heroes are as good as the supporting characters, but they have to be real people, not (classic) Jimmy Olsen-like danger magnets. The people in The Pedestrian have really interesting ideas and problems that are being developed with the same power and importance as the universe and the larger lore. This is a story where screenwriter Joey Esposito crafts a story that is epic in every way and ultimately draws us 100% into the story about the people and places in the story. This is proof of the effort put into it. It’s changing before our eyes.
Variant cover by Tony Gregory. Courtesy of Magma Comics.
I also think I have to give props to Esposito for some of his particular narration. Some writers tend to draw readers in with overly ornate or complex sentences. Esposito, on the other hand, recognizes that this story takes place elsewhere and gives us enough information to connect with every aspect of Pedestrians. So the art team (artist Sean Von Gorman, colorist Josh Jensen, and letterer Sean Lee) really has to do their job.
I love how the cosmic content of issue #2 feels like a proper highlight, and the incredible power it gives you in understanding the scale of this book and its overall goals/intentions. I commented on how I have it. But you can still smell a little of that in The Pedestrian #3. For example, the villain continues to physically act like this magical being or metaphysical demon and performs its actions on the page (he crouches like a snake, reaches out his hand) to create an impossible hand) is very effective in disarming the reader.
But that’s done in addition to the rich storytelling, and in no way detracts from the book’s basis. If anything, having this otherworldly “pop” allows the book to intentionally stretch and grow. After the shock of the second issue, it’s great to see this book finding some kind of balance as it builds up. And it reminds us that behind our daily lives, there are stories and forces of the entire universe. It keeps me locked in the best way and allows me to celebrate a book that clearly wants to have it all (and is really totally capable of it).
Incentive cover by Tess Fowler. Courtesy of Magma Comics.
But as much as I love multi-armed shadow ghouls wreaking havoc, my favorite part of The Pedestrian’s visuals has always been the human display. The conversation between Kira and the twins, for example, has as much charm and power as most of the other songs here. It reminds me of Jonny Quest or the Hardy Boyz, who are a little more down-to-earth. The magic of understated nostalgia. Or the smooth angle of the twins firing their “Laser Titans Foam Disc Gun” and how it’s not just that extra cool thing I mentioned earlier, but also something inherently intimate and warm. Even Sophie, sitting around a kind of “shrine” of road signs (you can see why…), is a believer in how this book turns the everyday into magic and vice versa. It’s an incredibly effective snapshot.
It creates this world that we know deeply, pushing out the walls just enough to make room for this big, bold story, and making sure that our own lives and stories are just as much. It’s about making them understand that they have power and importance. Rather, it is that very human nature that allows us to embrace this strangeness head-on and feel like we have been preparing for this journey all our lives. This is another testament to The Pedestrian’s skill in the way they make their storytelling so deep and undeniably real.
And we’re only a few “steps” into what could be quite a long and complicated journey with The Pedestrian. And given how the series has played out so far, we don’t really know what’s in store for us after issue four. But one thing I do know is that we’ve been working together throughout this marathon, moving this story forward with as much interest and momentum as the characters and creators.
That’s why, thanks to The Pedestrian, I’ve already been able to stretch in the garden and find the perfect pair of running shoes. If this leaves you, you may regret it.
“The Pedestrian” #3 takes another detour into equally interesting territory
Pedestrian #3
From the realms of space to the darkest alleys of Summer City, this issue professionally deepens the book’s scope, ideas, and influence.
There’s always a lot going on, and this book manages it very effectively.
This art gives much more power and weight to many of the storyline ideas and tent poles.
“The Pedestrian” is big, weird, and everything you want in a storytelling experience.
Read this book while the wind is still blowing.
