Review: NVRLND #2

I can’t remember the last time I read a comic and had such mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I’m still enjoying the story and adaptation of Peter Pan. The authentic feeling L.A. setting might only appeal to me, but then I’m the only one reading it when I’m reading it. On the other hand, the art struggles a lot, particularly in this issue. Along with that is the story’s pacing and just an overall rushed feeling to the series. We’re given some back story about Tiger Lilly this issue, which is very different as her “tribe” is now a “gang” and her father’s death is what pushed her mother into law enforcement. This flashback then becomes a story that Lilly is telling Wendy which was a nice twist to justify it in the story. We do strangely pick back up with Lilly and Wendy ditching school on Wendy’s first day. They end up at Amoeba Music which means they really had to fucking walk to get there and likely got those churros from Jack in the Box across the street… they will shit later, and it won’t be pretty.

There they run into Peter again and explain that they’re ditching because of the fight they had, but they’ve become fast friends, and it’s all good. Peter lets them know that they’re playing a show that night, and we get a clever way of finding Neverland, which always moves. That part was enjoyable. Captain Hook’s part… not so much.

The story does not give us even the slightest clue as to why Hook and Peter hate each other. It’s alluded to that Peter took Hook’s hand, but that’s it. Why did he take the hand? What’s Hook’s motivation for making every woman he likes or sleeps with take a drug that makes them fly and fall to their death? This is the first real problem I have with the adaptation because everything else is explained, at times painstakingly, but with this aspect, it plays off of our history with the material rather than doing the work itself. I need to know why this Peter Pan and this Captain Hook hate each other and right now I don’t. Sure Hook made the girl who Peter was sleeping with in the first issue kill herself, but we’re the only ones that know that for sure. It doesn’t explain the history.

The art suffers from the writing, partially. There are not enough pages for the art to flow and progress the story correctly. Instead, it jumps around a lot, and while it seems like a problem created by the art, it’s the writing that’s done this to the art. The art’s other problem, its real problem, is that is inconsistent. I’ve never recognized Peter twice, and if Wendy weren't wearing a recognizable shirt, there would be the same problem. It’s strange because the characters look the worst throughout the issue. It’s not the worst I’ve ever seen, but it’s a far cry from good. The designs and settings are a delight, but when it comes to the characters… well, I don’t bother looking at them much if I can help it.

For all my critiques, I still enjoy the story that’s going on. There’s some predictable elements, and even some that don’t make sense, but overall it’s entertaining. I think it would have benefitted from having an extra issue or two to flesh the story out more, but for what’s presented here and in the first issue, it’s a decent series to read if you like Peter Pan, L.A., or music. If you like all three, that would be preferable.

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NVRLND #2 Writers: Stephanie Salyers & Dylan Mulick Artist: Leila Leiz Colorist: Thomas Chu Publisher: 451 Media Price: $3.99 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital

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451 and Raveonettes Team Up For NVRLND Video

Coinciding with the release of its latest graphic novel series NVRLND, 451 Media Group has launched an exclusive music video to showcase the underground music world depicted in the comic. 451, known primarily for their cutting edge graphic novels from A-list Hollywood writers, plans to utilize music as a driving force in its new youth focused property, which hits stands today. The exclusive video directed by Dylan Mulick, who together with Stephanie Salyers created and wrote the series, features a host of rising social media stars and a new original song from veteran indie rock band The Raveonettes, written specifically for the NVRLND property.

"One of the things that really attracted us to 451 was their cross platform model," according to Mulick. "Music is at the heart of NVRLND, and we were so excited to introduce this story with a a music based approach. This music video was the perfect opportunity to capture the tone of NVRLND and bring the characters on the printed page to life, and as a creator I can’t tell you how exciting this is. We can’t wait to explore the world even further across other platforms as the scope of NVRLND continues to grow."

NVRLND is an edgy reimagining of the Peter Pan myth set in modern Hollywood. In this telling, Peter Pan is the lead singer of rock band The Lost Boys, who play at a secret underground club called NVRLND. Wendy Darling, the new girl in school, naturally falls for the brooding, bad boy rocker.

But in this heightened reality, kids are falling victim to a club drug called "pixie dust" being pedaled by tattooed, biker nemesis James Hook, which makes them feel like they can fly.

"We really wanted to capture the zeitgeist of the LA music scene, which thrives on the energy of being cool, young and sometimes in love. There's a real grittiness to our story, and the underground music scene is the perfect setting for capturing that authentic teen rebellion. Of course Hollywood is the ideal setting for a story about never growing up!" explained Salyers.

Adding to the video’s authenticity, NVRLND was filmed at The Smell, a notorious punk rock club in LA that has been set for demolition some time after the filming of the video.

“451 is about building worlds. The world of NVRLND was both electric and tantalizing, with wild and vivid characters we couldn’t wait to develop with Dylan and Stephanie,” says Anthony Gentile, Creative Director of 451. “We really feel this music video coupled with the graphic novel will resonate with viewers and allow them to experience NVRLND at full throttle.”

The first issue of the comic is now available online and wherever comic books are sold.