Review - The Infinite Vacation #1 by Nick Spencer (writer) and Christian Ward (art)

So I've come to realise that writing a review of the first issue of a comic is a bit like writing a review of a movie after only viewing the first twenty minutes. You really aren't going to be providing much more than initial thoughts and hoping that the comic hooks you by giving you the hint of where it's going. I'm happy to say that Nick Spencer and Christian Ward's The Infinite Vacation does indeed have major hooks.

The Infinite Vacation provides several hooks to pull us into the story. First is the idea of being able to exchange life experiences for something better, even down to turning up somewhere earlier to avoid standing in a queue. If you don't like how something is panning out, just pay for a vacation where (or when) it does.

This leads our flame-haired main character Mark, to vacation on average 9.7 times per day. It's just easier for him to pay for a different reality than deal with life's little inconsistencies. Unfortunately for Mark, this strategy also doesn't seem to be working as his life just ends up the same - boring and unfulfilled. Then there's the problem that alternate versions of himself are turning up dead. That's the second hook.

And then there's the final hook in the issue: the girl. She's basically Mark's opposite- a Deadender who refuses to 'make life changes even if it means a worse existence for them'. She challenges his continual vacationing attitude. Life is all about taking your chances when they're presented.

This is a radical and original use of the multiverse/multiple universe concept and there's a lot of parallel universe jumping going on in comics right now. In fact I'd argue it's become a staple part of storytelling, for the superhero universes anyway. But in The Infinite Vacation there's no superpower needed or massive changes to the reality. It's easy - accessible through a free phone app. You can just change whatever you about your life if you've got the cash. This would seem to imply that you're able to buy your way out of, if not your whole crappy life, at least crappy parts of it. However the availability of infinite vacations - realities - doesn't change the fact that a vacationer may still engage with each reality in exactly the same way.

We are witnessing a story involving the commodification of reality. A nifty idea indeed. So the question posed is: Does this make the buyer happier or not? The answer I assume will be played out in the relationship between the Mark and the Deadender girl.

Spencer is on the rise as a writer and it's easy to see why - crisp ideas, sharp writing, and great hooks. First issues are hard to pull of but Spencer has done it. He's given a concept background on what's happening, introduced intriguing storylines, and interesting believable characters with dilemmas. For someone who was unknown two years ago, Spencer has certainly made his mark with his creator owned books (Morning Glories, Shuddertown), and looks to have nice career ahead.

A word too here about Christian Ward's art. Ward's pastel and autumnal tones, give the comic a washed out watercolour style look which reminds of David Mack's artwork, if a little less realistic in this context. The panel and page layout are excellent using standard paneling (with and without borders) and complex double page spreads evoking a wonderful sense of distortion, and confusion that is Mark's life. The range of facial expressions - for me, always the mark of really good artist - are great and convey each character's emotions brilliantly.


This: has got it's hooks into me. Excellent.
Forthcoming: Will provide me with a holiday from reality.