Comic Review: Neverboy #2- There’s something magical about this one

Writer: Shaun Simon
Artist: Tyler Jenkins
Colours: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Cover: Conor Nolan
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Released: 1st April 2015


The first issue of Neverboy was such a joy, bringing forth a new idea into the comic book sphere, and doing it so very well. But so often in the comic book world a good start flatters to deceive and that one initial idea is pretty much all that the comic has to offer. Bearing all of that in mind, let’s get the following question answered as quickly as possible:

Is Neverboy #2 any good?

In short, it’s excellent. It brings new elements into the narrative and is just as exciting, enjoyable and creative as that tremendous opening. Did I ever have any doubts that this second issue wouldn’t be as good as the first? Not really, strange though that may seem, I just knew that this one would be good before I even read it.

Something is going on with the writing here, as it’s absolutely inspired. The main protagonist of the story doesn’t even make an appearance until the half-way point of the book, with the first half spent introducing a down on his luck, out of work and out of inspiration artist. It’s quite ironic really as writer Shaun Simon has introduced his complete opposite here, an artist running out of ideas, when he himself is very apparently overflowing with them.

The technique of introducing this character (and even featuring him on the front cover) works so well, and there is a gentle, slow, pondering sadness to the pacing in this first half that creates an impression of going nowhere, of having stopped. As the book reaches the half-way point it absolutely explodes with life as the manic, drug hunting, trying to cling to this reality, yet bristling with energy and inspiration Neverboy arrives on the scene, injecting new life into the suicidal artist.

There’s something special happening here, and it’s difficult to fully describe it. Like a really good magic show this book is just something that you have to experience for yourself. A review can attempt to capture what is going on, but you need to experience it yourself to fully appreciate and understand the context and subtle texture of the experience.

I’m not sure if other reviewers have mentioned this before, but the writing here reminds me of Neil Gaiman, when he was young, when he was new, and when he was bristling with energy and creativity that leapt of the pages of those early Sandman comic books. And just like those books, it’s the art being in perfect synch with the writing that really kicks Neverboy into another level. 

There’s a connection between writer and artist here. They understand what their world is all about, they both get it, and their vision is combining quite beautifully to create a book about art, about creativity, about inspiration that is overflowing with all of these qualities itself. 

Neverboy is a portal, much like Sandman. Something hugely exciting is beginning here. It’s overflowing with that elusive, much sought after, yet rarely found element of new life that is birthed within superior works of creative art. It’s rare, very rare, and I run the risk of going overboard here, but there’s something magical about this one.


Rating: 10/10 (Absolutely superb second issue, with so much promise for what is still to come)