To be honest, I was a little skeptical because, while I fully believed that Joey Esposito and Shawn Von Gorman were crafting a great, deeply human story about everyday life, I did wonder how The Pedestrian would achieve its “cosmic” end goal. However, upon reading issue #2 of The Pedestrian, those doubts all but vanished and were blown away by the sheer layers and overall approach of this incredibly exciting, all-new new series.
If you read The Pedestrian #1 and loved the quirky stories of everyday life in Summer City, #2 has even more to offer. Esposito’s story continues to be that warm friend who recounts the events of the day. Not only do we get more face time with Kira (whom The Pedestrian saves while she’s struggling with the horrors of her existence in #1), but we also get to meet the twins, Syd and Jeremy, who are the very interesting emotional center of this book and are probably just as important as the heroic speed walkers. But we also get to meet a new friend, Sophie, the crossing guard from #1, who is 1) another wonderful aspect of the city’s richness and 2) connected to the larger events in ways you might or might not imagine.
Alternative cover by Mike McKone. Courtesy of Magma Comix.
Either way, what she’s put into The Pedestrian is what makes the book great: relatable people in interesting life situations, layered storylines that never feel shoddy or cheesy, and storylines that unfold in brilliant ways (Kira, for example, overlaps parts of her own story with episodes of Lazer Titans, which is a really subtle but brilliant little touch).
And alongside Esposito, we have von Gorman (and colorist Josh Jensen). I commented in my review of issue #1 that The Pedestrian was basically like Love and Rockets with Michael Allred writing instead, and that’s exactly what happens with The Pedestrian issue #2, although I’m certainly underestimating the art team.
There’s such a vividness to this whole world that you can feel the power and intent of it whether you’re walking back to the crosswalk or hanging out at the local Pizza Sun. This is a big, shiny comic that’s simultaneously realistic and textured, and working in this style/approach makes the everyday feel exciting while also making the more powerful action (like a clever little escape from a pedestrian) feel even bigger (without getting detached from its important “roots”). Even in other parts of the issue, like the Laser Titans episode (drawn by “David Bowie Lendon Gorman” Micah Williams), there’s still a sense that the world is organically grounded, even though we’re clearly looking at something really fantastical.
Provided by Magma Comics.
Through these efforts, the art team conveys that it’s all one big connected experience, and that every emotion and idea about this story has equal meaning and value. Every moment is at some level ordinary and familiar, wild and strange. This is a place that has so much to say and offer, and we just need to embrace it all and things will land with true power and intent.
But there’s another reason for this. As mentioned above, The Pedestrian #2 really starts to bring some of the cosmic plot threads and intentions mentioned above into fruition. I won’t reveal what they are, but one is the troubled James and a mysterious enemy that seems to be opposing The Pedestrian. Another is an enemy of The Pedestrian and the aforementioned villain. These, to varying degrees, are big steps forward for The Pedestrian’s story, both narratively and visually.
James’ work is certainly a bit more “tame,” but still enough to stimulate your reptilian brain that something truly intense awaits in Summer City. And The Pedestrian’s work is a giant leap forward, with its more soothing Jack Kirby-esque slice of galactic wonder that will shatter any last thoughts that The Pedestrian is just another quirky superhero story. But that’s just how it is, and we’re mainly left to bridge the Grand Canyon-sized gap between these ideas/aesthetics. That process is just disorienting in the best sense, as the book’s art and story have fully prepared us for this “turn” or “reveal.”
Provided by Magma Comics.
So we can swim through this “cosmic void” with the love and support of great creators, each of whom is preparing our hearts and minds for this story to be lovingly small, unconsciously large, and unwaveringly powerful — a powerful experience in which everything is true, nothing is set in stone, and we can occupy this world in totally original ways. What does that all mean? We don’t know yet, but we, as a giant, multi-reality-panning family, are going to find out.
Perhaps I’m not only inherently skeptical, but also needlessly anxious and worried, because I wondered, even for a moment, what would happen if The Pedestrian got too big — what if it abandoned the relatability and community of Summer City for something stranger and more monstrous — but just as they’ve managed to suspend my disbelief, I have a feeling that Esposito, von Gorman and company will continue to deliver a story that perfectly balances its many parts.
After all, we’re not chasing cities or heroes or fictional universes – we’re engaging with these creators to explore ideas of community, purpose/destiny, and the true scope of the world – and there’s little reason to doubt they’ll bring us even more magic.
“Wednesday” Part 2 goes from a gentle stroll to a giant, super-powerful sprint
Pedestrian #2
Issue #2 grows this story exponentially, adding new elements and purpose while still maintaining its underlying humanity and drama.
The character portrayals here are strong and everything fits together beautifully.
This art achieves both a degree of accessibility and robust new limitations.
The Pedestrian, unlike other titles, draws us into a proper story.
For the bigger developments to really succeed, you have to really work on the little things.
