If it’s not a spell, what is a song? The words have changed, their meanings have transcended, their impact is immeasurable. As for the art of Steve Lieber and Tamra Bonvillain and the Image Comics one-shot Closer written by Kieron Gillen, the song is “(They’re close to you for a long time).”. Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and famous for the 1970 cover of The Carpenters, the song tells the story of a lover who admires the ability of a partner to attract the philosophical attention of birds and stars. Closer takes this song, twists it and turns it into a manipulative spell used by the partners that manage it. This is a totally scary perversion of a beautiful ballad.
I originally picked it up closer because it had the Gillen name on the front. After masterpieces like Wicked + Divine, Die, and Immortal X-Men, Gillen is undoubtedly a great voice in the comics world, and I struggle to not pick up what he wrote. Of course, I was also excited by the gorgeous art of Reeber and the colours of Bonvillains (especially after the stunning colouring pieces Tamura did in Gillen’s once & future). Closer is nothing new. In fact, this is a collection of three-part short stories serialized in images! 30th Anniversary Anthology #7-9, transformed into an easy-to-read one-shot.
Be honest… Before I first approached, I thought I would give it a review of about 8.0 before I really looked back on it. It was good and beautiful, but it didn’t necessarily hurt the “spiritation of the universe” that the solicitation brought about. Thankfully, I read Kieron Gillen’s wonderful postscript and heard “I’m close to you” (they’ve been around for a long time). It’s rare for a manga to truly travel with you from the page to the real world. This is a special feeling reserved for special comics. The fact that Closer encouraged me to search for a song and listen to it was exciting enough in its own right, but then after hearing the song I went back and reread the one-shot.
It’s one issue and I don’t want to throw too much away about the plot near its own, as spoilers ruin the atmosphere. However, we recommend recommendations. Read carefully without listening to “close,” then sit in the story for a moment, listen to the song and then reread it. I see this “romance” through my own lens and think that the lens of Bacharach’s song really strengthened my experience and made the comic even more special. Gillen’s meditation at the end of the book gives us a fun glimpse into what could have been, looking back at the various paths that Kieron could have collapsed in the comic industry.
Don’t approach in anticipation of the horror of the science fiction universe. You will be disappointed. Gillen himself calls the story a “soft edge fantasy.” In “apocalyptic romances” like Closer, your hero isn’t going to get all the answers, and you aren’t either. This quick and fun read is a momentary reflection that has been magnified beyond the universe into the threat of a global end. If you’re enjoying Gillen’s writing, Lieber’s Art, or Great Music, I highly recommend reading in detail. And don’t forget to add “(They are long close to you)” to your Spotify playlist. I promise you will be stuck in your head by the time you finish reading.
“Crosser” #1 transcends Kieron Gillen’s brilliant brain into real-world sensations
Closer #1
Stay away from the terror of hard science fiction universe… you will be disappointed. Gillen himself calls the story a “soft edge fantasy.” In a closer-like “apocalyptic romance,” your hero doesn’t intend to get all the answers, and you aren’t either. This quick and fun read is a momentary reflection that has been magnified beyond the universe into the threat of a global end. If you’re enjoying Gillen’s writing, Lieber’s Art, or Great Music, I highly recommend reading in detail. And don’t forget to add “(They’re long close to you)” to your Spotify playlist, I promise you’ll be stuck in your head by the time you finish reading.
The art of Lieber and Bombilians is amazing
The connections of songs brought my fun into the real world
The use of “space horror” in solicitation gave me the wrong expectations
It would be nice if it was the 3rd mini series.
